woman-sues-netflix-for-170m-over-baby-reindeer

A British woman who claims she inspired the stalker in the popular Netflix series "Baby Reindeer" is suing the streaming service, seeking $170 million in damages. 

 

Fiona Harvey has revealed herself as the real-life "Martha," the delusional, violent, and abusive woman portrayed in Richard Gadd's show, which purports to be based on a true story.

 

"The above quote... is the biggest lie in television history," the lawsuit, filed in California, says.

 

"It is a lie told by Netflix and the show's creator, Richard Gadd, out of greed and lust for fame; a lie designed to attract more viewers, get more attention, to make more money, and to viciously destroy the life of Plaintiff, Fiona Harvey."

 

The seven-episode series premiered on Netflix in April and quickly became a huge hit. 

 

Based on Gadd's one-man play, the show follows a fictionalised version of the author who meets a woman in the pub where he works. 

 

What unfolds over the following episodes is a deeply disturbing, years-long ordeal for Gadd in which Martha sends thousands of emails, texts, and voice messages as she harasses him, his girlfriend, and his family. 

 

Martha, who the show claims to have been previously convicted of stalking a lawyer, is also shown to sexually assault Gadd.

 

The British writer and performer stated that he altered details about Martha to safeguard her identity. Despite his efforts, amateur detectives found her and reached out to her through social media.

 

Once her identity was revealed, Harvey went on British television to deny allegations that she had sent numerous messages to Gadd or that she had attacked him or his girlfriend.