Woman Sues Netflix for $170 Million, Claims Defamation in “Baby Reindeer” Inspiration
A Scottish attorney living in England, Fiona Harvey, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix for at least $170 million, alleging defamation in the hit series “Baby Reindeer.” Harvey claims that the character Martha on the show is based on her, leading to emotional distress and violation of her right to publicity.
The British black comedy, based on a one-man stage show by Richard Gadd, portrays a stalker named Martha who sends thousands of emails, assaults Gadd, and is eventually arrested. However, according to the lawsuit, none of these events ever occurred in real life.
The lawsuit states that Netflix spread lies about Harvey to over 50 million viewers worldwide, including false claims of stalking and assault. The streaming giant allegedly failed to verify the accuracy of the story and neglected to understand the actual relationship between Harvey and Gadd.
Despite Netflix’s statement vowing to defend the matter, the lawsuit accuses the streamer of destroying Harvey’s reputation and life. While Gadd is not named as a defendant, the lawsuit claims that viewers and media outlets identified Harvey well before she publicly came forward.
The lawsuit points out similarities between Martha and Harvey, including social media posts and mannerisms, labeling the series’ claim of being a true story as “the biggest lie in television history.” Harvey is seeking all profits from “Baby Reindeer” and at least $170 million in punitive damages.