7-6-2024 (LONDON) A Scottish woman named has launched a legal battle against the streaming giant Netflix, seeking a staggering $170 million in damages for defamation. At the heart of this controversy lies the popular mini-series “Baby Reindeer,” which Harvey claims has portrayed her as a stalker, tarnishing her reputation and subjecting her to widespread public scrutiny.
The legal complaint, filed at the federal court in Los Angeles, alleges that Netflix and the series creator, Richard Gadd, went beyond the bounds of artistic license by implying, through the show’s self-proclaimed “true story” label, that Harvey had been convicted of stalking and sentenced to five years in prison. This narrative, Harvey vehemently denies, asserting that she has never stalked Gadd, who plays a fictionalized version of himself named Donny Dunn in the series, and has no criminal convictions or history of imprisonment.
At the crux of the matter lies the character of Martha, portrayed by actress Jessica Gunning, who bears a striking physical resemblance to Harvey and shares her profession as a lawyer in London. Harvey has publicly claimed to be the inspiration behind this character, fueling speculation and discussions across social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok, where users have referred to her as the “real” Martha.
In a damning allegation, the lawsuit contends that the defendants knowingly perpetuated these falsehoods for financial gain, stating, “Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.”
Netflix, however, has responded with a firm stance, expressing its intent to vigorously defend the matter and support Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.
Harvey’s legal action seeks a minimum of $50 million for actual damages, compensatory damages including mental anguish and lost profits, and at least $20 million in punitive damages. This substantial claim underscores the gravity of the allegations and the perceived harm inflicted upon Harvey’s reputation.
The lawsuit against Netflix comes on the heels of the streaming platform’s recent settlement of a defamation lawsuit involving the portrayal of former prosecutor Linda Fairstein in the 2019 series “When They See Us,” which delved into the infamous Central Park Five rape case. As part of the settlement, Netflix agreed to move disclaimers to the start of episodes and pledged a $1 million donation to a nonprofit aiding wrongfully convicted individuals.
