It’s been claimed Netflix had a very different idea of who they wanted to play the stalker Martha in hit series Baby Reindeer . The seven-part programme stars Jessica Gunning as the Scottish woman who stalks Richard Gadd ’s character Donny Dunn. His ordeal begins from a seemingly friendly encounter, to being sent thousands of emails when Martha’s obsession grows and turns sinister , as she begins waiting outside his house, sexually assaults him, harasses his parents and turns violent towards his girlfriend.
In recent weeks, more details about the ‘true story’ it was based on have emerged after the ‘real Martha’, said to be Fiona Harvey , came to light and spoke out in multiple interviews and an explosive Piers Morgan grilling . She’s since brought a legal complaint and is suing Netflix for $170,000,000 (£132,000,000) , alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right of publicity. Meanwhile, Gunning has also felt the effects of the show’s roaring success, and said ‘people scream at me and run away’ in the street.
However, the star – who publicly came out as gay earlier this month – was not the only actress Netflix bosses had their eye on, according to reports. Variety claims that Netflix ‘pushed aggressively’ for Melissa McCarthy to be cast as Martha. A source told the publication that the Bridesmaids actress met Gadd about the role, ‘but ultimately wasn’t interested’.
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