Fiona Harvey, who alleges she is the inspiration for the stalker character in the hit Netflix series “Baby Reindeer,” is suing Netflix for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and violations of her rights to publicity, according to court documents. She is seeking more than $170 million in damages. “Baby Reindeer,” which landed on Netflix April 11, follows comedian Donny (played by show creator Richard Gadd) as he is stalked by a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning).
Within minutes of Episode One, the text, “ this is a true story ” pops up. Later, when the credits roll, the text reads, “This program is based on real events: however certain characters, names, incidents, locations, and dialogue have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.” Harvey’s lawsuit, filed June 6 at United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that the opening line “is the biggest lie in television history.
” “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 — an innocent woman defamed by Netflix and Richard Gadd at a magnitude and scale without precedent,” the lawsuit states. TODAY.com has reached out to representatives for Netflix and Gadd, who was not named as a defendant in Harvey’s lawsuit, for comment.
“Baby Reindee.