Fiona Harvey sues Netflix for $170M over 'Baby Reindeer' portrayal
7 June 2024 08:44
A confident Fiona Harvey admitted that she is the inspiration for Martha Scott in the popular Netflix series "Baby Reindeer." She filed a lawsuit against the service, seeking $170 million in damages.
On June 6, 2024, the Central California District Court received a complaint from Fiona Harvey, claiming that Netflix committed defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gross negligence, and violation of her right to image.
The "real Martha" demands $170 million from Netflix for "Baby Reindeer"
It all started when, in April of this year, the series "Baby Reindeer" by Richard Gadd appeared on the platform. True events from his life allegedly inspired him, and according to Harvey, she was "the real Martha."
Fiona Harvey stated that there is no possibility she sent Gadd 41,000 emails, hundreds of voice messages, and 106 letters because "she is not a stalker." As she emphasized in an interview with Piers Morgan:
- There may have been a couple of emails exchanging, but that was it. Just jokey banter emails - explained Harvey.
Returning to the lawsuit - Harvey and her lawyers accuse Netflix of telling "the lies that Defendants told about Harvey to over 50 million people worldwide include that Harvey is a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison, and that Harvey sexually assaulted Gadd". In quotes from The Guardian, it was stated that, in their opinion, "the defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money."
- Netflix, a multi-national billion dollar entertainment streaming company did literally nothing to confirm the ‘true story’ that Gadd told. - emphasizes Harvey in the lawsuit, adding that "as a result of Defendants’ lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey’s life had been ruined. Simply, Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character and her life."
Thus, Harvey now demands at least $50 million for "actual damages," at least $50 million in compensation for "mental anguish, loss of enjoyment and loss of business" at least $50 million for "all profits from the series," and also $20 million in punitive damages.
Netflix has already commented on the matter in a conversation with The Guardian, writing in a statement: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story."
