Netflix is facing a hefty lawsuit of at least $170 million from a Scottish woman named Fiona Harvey, who claims she was defamed in the hit mini-series “Baby Reindeer.” Harvey alleges that she was portrayed as a stalker in the show, which she says is based on her life.
The character Martha in the series, played by actress Jessica Gunning, bears a physical resemblance to Harvey and is also a lawyer in London. However, Harvey insists that the show went too far by suggesting she was a convicted stalker sentenced to five years in prison, which she vehemently denies.
Despite Harvey’s denials, many viewers have mistaken her for the character Martha, with thousands of Reddit and TikTok users referring to her as the “real” Martha. The lawsuit claims that Netflix and the show’s creator, Richard Gadd, chose to perpetuate these lies because they made for a more compelling story.
In response to the lawsuit, Netflix has stated that they will vigorously defend the matter and stand by Gadd’s right to tell his story. The lawsuit seeks $50 million for actual damages, compensatory damages for mental anguish and profits, and at least $20 million in punitive damages.
This legal battle comes just days after Netflix settled a defamation lawsuit with former prosecutor Linda Fairstein over her portrayal in the series “When They See Us.” The streaming giant agreed to move disclaimers to the start of episodes and donate $1 million to a nonprofit helping wrongfully convicted individuals.
The case, Harvey v Netflix Inc et al, is currently pending in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Harvey’s lawsuit underscores the complexities of storytelling and the potential consequences of blurring the lines between fiction and reality.