Fiona Harvey, a British woman who claims she inspired the character of the stalker in Netflix's hit show "Baby Reindeer," has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant, seeking $170 million in damages.
Harvey has come forward, identifying herself as the real-life "Martha," the violent and abusive woman depicted in Richard Gadd’s acclaimed series, which asserts in its opening episode that it is based on a true story.
"The above quote… is the biggest lie in television history," states the lawsuit, filed in California.
The complaint accuses Netflix and the show's creator, Richard Gadd, of fabricating the story out of a desire for fame and financial gain, claiming their actions were intended to attract viewers and generate revenue while maliciously damaging Harvey's reputation.
Premiering on Netflix in April, "Baby Reindeer" quickly gained popularity. The seven-episode series, adapted from Gadd’s one-man play, narrates the fictionalized account of Gadd’s encounter with a woman at a pub where he worked. The series depicts a harrowing years-long ordeal where the character "Martha" harasses Gadd, his girlfriend, and his family with thousands of emails, texts, and voice messages.
"Martha" is portrayed as a convicted stalker who sexually assaults Gadd, claims which Harvey vehemently denies. Harvey alleges that these depictions led to her being identified and harassed by the public, exacerbating her distress.
In interviews, Gadd has stated that he altered details about "Martha" to protect her identity. Despite these changes, internet sleuths were able to identify Harvey, leading to her being contacted on social media. Harvey subsequently appeared on British television, refuting the accusations of harassment and assault.
"The lies that Defendants told about Harvey to over 50 million people worldwide include that Harvey is a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison, and that Harvey sexually assaulted Gadd," the lawsuit asserts.
The suit accuses Netflix of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence, arguing that the company did nothing to verify the "true story" presented by Gadd.
As of now, Netflix has not responded to requests for comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment