“Baby Reindeer’s alleged real-life Martha files $170 million lawsuit against Netflix

What’s the story

Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey has filed a $170 million defamation and negligence lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix.

The suit is about a dark comedy series Little reindeerwhich Harvey believes falsely portrays her as a stalker named Martha.

The show, presented as a “true story,” allegedly spread harmful lies about Harvey to more than 50 million viewers worldwide.

Charges of false portrayal and character assassination

Harvey maintains that Netflix and Richard Gadd, the show’s main character, falsely portrayed her as a twice-convicted stalker who committed sexual assault.

The lawsuit states: “Defendants told these lies and never stopped because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.”

Harvey claims that these fabrications devastated her life, destroying her reputation and character.

Know about the program

Little reindeer follows the story of struggling bar comedian Donny (played by Gadd) and his stalker, Martha (played by Jessica Gunning). Gadd wrote and created the series inspired by events from his own life. The series was praised for its fresh take on violence, trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Despite Gadd’s stalker’s name being changed, Internet users began spreading rumors that Harvey was the real Marta. This prompted her to publicly confirm her identity.

Netflix: We intend to defend this case vigorously

Despite frequent mentions of Gadd in the lawsuit, he is not named as a defendant.

A Netflix spokesman said Thursday: “We intend to vigorously defend this case and stand up for Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.”

The statement was released hours after the lawsuit was filed, something Harvey has been hinting at for weeks.

Harvey is seeking $170 million in damages. Here’s the breakdown

Harvey is seeking more than $170 million in damages from the streaming giant.

The statement includes actual damages in excess of $50 million, compensatory damages in excess of $50 million for mental anguish and loss of business, all profits from Little reindeer in excess of $50 million, punitive damages likely to exceed $20 million, pre-judgment interest at the statutory rate, post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and other general relief.

“The success of the little reindeer amid controversy

In May, Harvey described her experience after the series premiere as “horrifying” and “misogynistic,” revealing that she had received death threats online.

Despite the controversy, Little reindeer turned out to be a success for Netflix. The series was watched by approximately 60 million viewers in its first month and won the Breakthrough Limited Series award at the Gotham TV Awards.