In a recent development, Netflix has been unable to have a defamation lawsuit dismissed, which was filed by a woman claiming to be the inspiration for the stalker character in the acclaimed series “Baby Reindeer.” The woman, Fiona Harvey, asserts that she is the real-life counterpart of the character “Martha,” who is depicted as delusional, violent, and abusive in the show. The series, based on Richard Gadd’s one-man play, has garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim, winning six Emmy awards. Despite the show’s claim of being a “true story” in its opening episode, it has faced legal challenges as the storyline deviates from real-life events.
The lawsuit alleges that the series misrepresented real events, leading to defamation. Netflix argued that it could not be sued for defamation as the events depicted were “substantially true” and that viewers would recognize the show as a work of fiction. The court, however, ruled that there were significant differences between the events portrayed in the series and actual occurrences.
The judge’s decision allows the defamation claim to proceed in California, while dismissing claims for negligence, gross negligence, and punitive damages. Netflix has stated that it will vigorously defend against the defamation claim, asserting its support for Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.
