Fiona Harvey, identified as the real-life inspiration for a character in Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer,’ has filed a $170 million lawsuit, accusing the streaming platform of defamation.
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The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It further accused Netflix of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right to publicity. According to Page Six, her complaint alleged the series misrepresented her as a relentless stalker. The series, “Baby Reindeer,” depicts a character named Martha, portrayed by Jessica Gunning, obsessed with a struggling comedian, a role that series creator Richard Gadd inspired.
Harvey states that the portrayal is a distorted version of her life and identity. The lawsuit details that Netflix and Gadd allegedly propagated false claims about Harvey to a global audience of over 50 million, including allegations that she is a convicted stalker who was sentenced to prison and that she sexually assaulted Gadd. The complaint emphasizes, “Defendants told these lies and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.”
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Harvey is seeking $120 million in compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to at least $50 million in profits Netflix earned from the series. She alleges the series has devastated her character, reputation, and life, dealing with physical and emotional symptoms, including anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, and other stress-related ailments. A representative from Netflix told the outlet that they plan to defend this matter “vigorously,” supporting Gadd’s right to tell his story.
During her recent interview with Piers Morgan, Harvey denied the allegations of stalking and assault.