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    Fiona Harvey Sues Netflix for $170 Million Over Defamation in “Baby Reindeer” Series

    Entertainment 4 Mins Read

    She is not a happy camper and expects a windfall from Netflix.

    Fiona Harvey, the alleged real-life inspiration for the character Martha in the Netflix series “Baby Reindeer,” has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant. Harvey claims that the portrayal of Martha as an obsessive stalker is defamatory and inaccurate, leading to severe personal and professional repercussions. The lawsuit, filed on June 6, seeks over $170 million in damages, alleging that the series has significantly harmed her reputation and livelihood.

    According to court documents, Harvey is demanding $50 million in actual damages, an additional $50 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and business losses, and $50 million for all profits derived from “Baby Reindeer.” Furthermore, she is seeking at least $20 million in punitive damages, excluding legal fees, costs, and statutory interest.

    Harvey’s lawsuit begins by challenging the authenticity of the series’ claim to be a true story. The opening line of the first episode, “This is a true story,” is labeled by Harvey as “the biggest lie in television history.” She accuses Netflix and the show’s creator, Richard Gadd, of fabricating elements of the story to attract viewers and generate revenue at her expense. Harvey alleges that the series includes exact phrases she used and portrays Martha with the same profession as hers—a lawyer—making it easy for viewers to identify her.

    Harvey claims that the depiction of Martha has led to harassment and significant damage to her reputation. She denies the central allegations in the series, including sexually assaulting Gadd and being a convicted stalker. The lawsuit criticizes Netflix for failing to verify the facts presented in the show, alleging that the company did not investigate whether Harvey was actually convicted or the nature of her relationship with Gadd.

    The court documents state that by incorporating many of Harvey’s true qualities into the character of Martha, Netflix misled viewers into believing that all aspects of Martha’s character were factual. This, Harvey argues, makes Netflix liable for defamation, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of her right to publicity, among other claims.

    Harvey’s attorneys released a statement condemning Netflix for its lack of due diligence in verifying the story. They assert that Netflix destroyed Harvey’s life by perpetuating false allegations without any effort to understand the truth.

    In response, a Netflix spokesperson defended the company’s actions, stating that they intend to vigorously defend the matter and support Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story. Gadd, who wrote “Baby Reindeer” based on his real-life experiences, has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit.

    In an interview with Piers Morgan last month, Harvey shared her side of the story, describing the accusations against her as “nonsense.” She disputed claims that she sent Gadd 41,000 emails and left 350 hours of voicemails, calling such allegations unrealistic. Harvey admitted to exchanging a few emails with Gadd but characterized them as harmless banter, far from the obsessive behavior depicted in the series.

    Major Points:

    • Fiona Harvey is suing Netflix for over $170 million, claiming defamation and inaccurate portrayal in the series Baby Reindeer.
    • Harvey alleges the show’s character Martha, based on her, has led to harassment and ruined her livelihood.
    • She is seeking $50 million in actual damages, at least $50 million in compensatory damages, $50 million in profits from the series, and $20 million in punitive damages.
    • The lawsuit claims Netflix did not verify the “true story” presented by the show’s creator, Richard Gadd, leading to serious misrepresentations.
    • Harvey denies allegations of sexual assault and stalking, which are central to the series, and insists the accusations are false.

    TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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