A British lawmaker has demanded that Netflix provide evidence to support the claim that Fiona Harvey, the real-life inspiration for the character Martha in the hit series “Baby Reindeer,” has a stalking conviction. John Nicolson, a Scottish National Party MP and member of the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has called on Netflix to substantiate the allegations made in Richard Gadd’s series.
In a letter to Benjamin King, Netflix’s senior UK director of public policy, Nicolson requested proof of Harvey’s criminal record. King had previously described “Baby Reindeer” as a “true story of the horrific abuse” suffered by Gadd “at the hands of a convicted stalker.” Nicolson pointed out that journalists have been unable to find any record of such a conviction and asked King to provide evidence for this serious claim.
The controversy centers on the portrayal of Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, who is depicted as pleading guilty to stalking and being sentenced to prison. Harvey, who has been identified as the real-life Martha, has denied these allegations. Her lawyer, Chris Daw KC, has stated that there is no evidence of Harvey having a criminal record for stalking.
Daw, who is assembling a legal team in both the UK and the U.S. to pursue a lawsuit against Netflix, Clerkenwell Films, and Richard Gadd, described the portrayal as a clear case of defamation. He emphasized that depicting someone as a convicted criminal when it is not true can cause serious harm to their reputation.
Netflix has not responded to inquiries about “Baby Reindeer.” During a recent committee hearing, King claimed that Netflix took “every reasonable precaution” to protect identities. However, industry insiders have criticized this assertion, suggesting that Netflix should have altered details such as Martha’s profession and nationality to better protect her identity.
“Baby Reindeer” has been a significant success for Netflix, amassing nearly 65 million views since its debut on April 11. It was the top English-language series on the platform for three consecutive weeks.
Fiona Harvey has publicly confirmed that she is the person who inspired the character of Martha. She claims that the show has defamed her by falsely portraying her as a convicted stalker. Harvey has also accused Piers Morgan of exploiting her during a recent interview and is threatening multiple lawsuits to address the situation.
Harvey’s lawyer, Chris Daw KC, is working on a defamation suit against Netflix, arguing that the show’s claim of being a “true story” is misleading. He also believes that Netflix did not do enough to obscure Harvey’s identity, despite assertions from actress Jessica Gunning that producers went to great lengths to protect it.
In addition to the potential defamation claim against Netflix, Harvey is demanding $1.26 million from Piers Morgan after an interview with him garnered over 2.6 million views on YouTube. Harvey claims she was offered only £250 for the interview and is now seeking more compensation due to its viral success. She also plans to sue the Daily Mail, though she has not elaborated on the reasons.
Harvey’s interview with Morgan was her first public statement about “Baby Reindeer.” Viewers have criticized Morgan for exploiting Harvey, with some calling the interview “grubby exploitation.” Harvey herself has said that Morgan used her for views and that his concern for her story was insincere.
Morgan defended the interview, arguing that if Richard Gadd is allowed to share his story, then Harvey should also be allowed to speak out if the allegations against her are false. He pointed out that Harvey is not a convicted criminal, which he believes justifies the interview.
“Baby Reindeer” is based on Gadd’s experience of being stalked and sexually assaulted. The series, which features Gadd as the main character, depicts his stalker being arrested, charged, and sentenced to nine months in prison. The show’s popularity led fans to launch an online hunt for the true identity of Gadd’s stalker, eventually identifying Harvey.
Harvey has expressed fear and distress following the release of the series, stating that she has received death threats from people who believe the show’s portrayal of her. She has also rebutted allegations made by Laura Wray, a Scottish solicitor who claims Harvey falsely accused her and her late husband of mistreating their child.
Harvey insists that she has never been to prison and has no criminal convictions. She is determined to clear her name and is considering legal action against both Richard Gadd and Netflix. Harvey believes that speaking out is her only chance to set the record straight and hopes to prove that the accusations against her are false.
