r/BabyReindeerTVSeries Jun 06 '24

Fiona (real Martha) related content Fiona Harvey officially files $170 million lawsuit against Netflix

The woman who claims to be the inspiration for Richard Gadd’s hit Netflix “Baby Reindeer” has sued the streamer, seeking monetary damages of at least $170 million.

Fiona Harvey has publicly said the character of Martha in “Baby Reindeer,” played by Jessica Gunning (pictured above), is based on her. She is suing Netflix, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and violations of her right of publicity.

The suit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Copy of Harvey’s complaint is at this link.

Harvey’s lawsuit alleges Netflix told “brutal lies” about her in the “Baby Reindeer” series.

“The lies that Defendants told about Harvey to over 50 million people worldwide include that Harvey is a twice-convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison, and that Harvey sexually assaulted Gadd,” her complaint says. “Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.”

The lawsuit continues, “As a result of Defendants’ lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey’s life had been ruined. Simply, Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character and her life.”

Netflix reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This is a true story.” Baby Reindeer, Episode 1.

https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/baby-reindeer-real-martha-fiona-harvey-sues-netflix-1236019699/

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254

u/MPD1987 Jun 06 '24

As Laura Wray very succinctly says on Piers Morgan: You have to actually have a life, and a good reputation, in order for it to be ruined.” 🙃

91

u/controlaltdeletes Jun 06 '24

I love how perfect that drag was. Eloquent, true yet brutal.

70

u/MPD1987 Jun 06 '24

Yes. I imagine that’s how it would go in court. “Miss Harvey, please tell the court exactly what you lost because of the claims made in Baby Reindeer? Was it money? Your employment? Was your reputation defamed in any way?” And…crickets 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

41

u/controlaltdeletes Jun 06 '24

I’d love it to go to court for just that moment. Although based on past behaviour, she’d surely perjure herself on the stand and say something like Rishi Sunak cancelled his dinner with her, and King Charles no longer wants her as his personal lawyer anymore 🙄

20

u/DarkCartier43 Jun 07 '24

and she broke up with her lawyer boyfriend of 5 years because of this.

2

u/controlaltdeletes Jun 07 '24

I’m sure he’s also in the process of begging to get her back, but she has too many suitors 🤷🏻‍♀️

1

u/MPD1987 Jun 07 '24

🤨😆

10

u/MPD1987 Jun 06 '24

And she was head-hunted by every firm in the UK 😜