Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd helps Netflix's £170million suit declared by 'real life' Martha to be dismissed
Richard Gadd is said to be helping Netflix's defamation suit declared by Fiona Harvey
TALK TV/ITV
Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd is standing with Netflix and the ongoing defamation suit put forward by Fiona Harvey - despite not being named as a defendant in the case.
Just two months after Baby Reindeer dropped on Netflix, Harvey declared herself as the inspiration behind the character of Martha Scott and denied ever knowing Gadd and the events which took place in the series.
She hit the streamer with a lawsuit on June 6, with Netlifx wanting a hearing on September, 3 in front of LA-based Judge R. Gary Klauser to argue a case of dismissal.
Gadd recently issued a declaration which shared his support for Netflix on July, 28 which read: "I am a comedian, writer, and actor. I created, wrote, and starred in the Netflix series Baby Reindeer (the ‘Series’).
"I have personal knowledge of the facts set forth below and, if called as a witness, could and would testify competently thereto. I submit this declaration in support of defendants Netflix, Inc., and Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, LLC’s special motion to strike."
Within the partially blacked-out declaration, Gadd added of the series: "Overall, it was an incredibly stressful and worrying time, with a sustained period of relentless behaviour taking place over several years.
Baby Reindeer depicts the story of Richard Gadd's real like stalking ordeal
NETFLIX
"It is impossible to be exhaustive in setting out all of Harvey’s conduct, as there were so many instances of unwelcome personal interaction and attempts to engage, as well as deeply troubling communication."
The creator and director noted that the series gave a small insight into the sheer scale of the harassment he received, and commented on how he felt when seeing Harvey discuss the events she thought were aimed at her on life TV.
Gadd explained: "I never intended the Series to identify any real person as Martha Scott, including Harvey. Martha Scott is not Fiona Harvey. Like all characters in the Series, Martha is a fictional character with fictional personality traits that are very different from Harvey’s.
"Though I have only watched certain segments, I understand she claimed that she was the inspiration for the Martha character and that she never sent me thousands of emails nor left me any voicemails.
Fiona Harvey is claiming the character of Martha Scott is based on herself
NETFLIX
"She harassed and stalked me over several years, and since her interview, other individuals have contacted me through my agents and publicists and said they were also harassed by Harvey, but all were too scared of her to come forward."
Gadd noted that he obtained a First Instance Harassment Warning against Harvey from the police in 2016, but what he does not address in his statement is Harvey's assertion in her suit that she was "a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".
Aside from the ongoing legal issues, Baby Reindeer has been nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, including, Outstanding Limited Series, Lead Actor in a Limited Series - Richard Gadd, Supporting Actress in a Limited Series - Nava Mau and Jessica Gunning, Supporting Actor in a Limited Series - Tom Goodman-Hill, and Writing for a Limited Series - Richard Gadd.
Gadd issued a thank you to his fans via his Instagram account and penned: "Thanks to everyone who worked on this show. To the Television Academy for recognising it.
LATEST DEVLEOPMENTS:
Richard Gadd and Nava Mau have been nominated for an Emmy
NETFLIX
"To Netflix for taking a chance on it. To Clerkenwell for producing it. To the incredible cast and crew for nailing it. To my wonderful team of agents who got me through.
"To the superb people who worked on the live show. To my amazing family and friends for everything they do. I love you all." (sic)