Baby Reindeer's 'real life Martha' sues Netflix for millions over 'defamation' claims

Richard Gadd and Fiona Harvey

Harvey is suing Netflix for millions

Netflix/TalkTV
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 06/06/2024

- 22:54

Updated: 07/06/2024

- 16:33

The woman thought to be 'the real life Martha' is hoping to sue the streaming platform

Hit Netflix sensation Baby Reindeer remained in the public interest for weeks after its launch on the streaming platform thanks to Fiona Harvey, who is thought to be "the real Martha".

Millions of viewers tuned into the drama, based on the story of comedian Richard Gadd and the female stalker he endured for years, and plenty also watched Piers Morgan's interview with Harvey on TalkTV's YouTube channel.


The show became a Netflix success, with the series garnering tens of millions of views since making its debut on April 11.

Based on the true story of comedian Gadd's stalker, named "Martha" in the show, it didn't take long for internet sleuths to start trying to piece together who the real-life Martha is.

The person behind the internet probing talked to Morgan on Uncensored, with the 58-year-old stating during the interview she was hoping to "sue" Netflix.

It's now been reported she's going after the streaming giant for millions of dollars.

Richard Gadd

Gadd starred in the Netflix adaptation of his own experience

Netflix

Harvey has made claims that she's being hounded with hate from fans of the show due to how Martha is depicted in the series.

She has also denied that she stalked Gadd and is now suing Netflix for defamation, negligence, emotional distress and other charges, according to MailOnline.

It's unclear how much Harvey is suing for, with the publication reporting $50million and others such as Variety reporting $170million.

The show began by stating on screen "this is a true story" but states some parts are dramatised at the end of each episode.

Jessica Gunning starred as 'Martha'

Harvey has said she will sue Netflix for defamation

Netflix

During the widely-watched interview, Harvey told Morgan she didn't stalk Gadd and that she sent him "a handful" of emails - not the 41,000 reported in the series.

She made several other claims during the interview, many of which contradicted the depiction of Martha in the Netflix drama.

Speaking exclusively to GB News last month, body language expert Darren Stanton has shared some analysis of Harvey's body language and what it could reveal about her comments.

"People that are being honest, they'll display more congruent signs with what they're saying," he explained.

Richard Gadd

Baby Reindeer was watched by millions of Netflix users

Netflix

He continued: "They also use sarcasm which is what she [Harvey] did. So when Morgan said, 'Did you do it?' Basically, the way she replied wasn't consistent with what an innocent person would do.

"So we've got about nine or 10 clusters of behaviour, so 'red flags' I call them. She did exhibit a lot of these things."

A Netflix spokesperson told GB News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

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