Netflix hit 'Real Martha' sued for $170M defamation

Fiona Harvey has filed a significant defamation lawsuit against Netflix over "Baby Reindeer," demanding $170 million in damages for what she claims is defamation. Harvey was allegedly the real-life inspiration for the character Martha, a stalker in the series. The show features Richard Gadd, who portrays the victim of Martha's obsessions, but Gadd is not named in the lawsuit. Harvey alleges Netflix falsely promoted the series as a "true story," causing immense personal and reputational harm. Netflix has responded, mentioning that they took precautions to protect real identities.

Baby Reindeer follows a comedian, Donny, who is stalked obsessively by a woman named Martha after an encounter at a bar where he works. The story is inspired by real events in the life of creator Richard Gadd.

"Baby Reindeer" originally began as a one-man show by Richard Gadd, which gained acclaim for its raw and personal narrative before being adapted into a hit Netflix series. The show has been praised for its intense portrayal of the psychological effects of stalking, securing high ratings and a spot in Netflix's "Top 10" list shortly after its release. Jessica Gunning plays the role of Martha, delivering a performance that has been critically noted for its complexity.