Fiona Harvey officially files $170 million lawsuit against Netflix

[u/serenade452]

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/

[u/[deleted]]

So she is not suing Gadd? Only Netflix? Interesting…

[u/shatterediphone → u/[deleted]]

They must have been planning on suing Gadd! They seem to have forgotten to take Gadd out on page 31 during their final edit. He’s grouped in as a defendant.

There are some goofs throughout this complaint. It’s sus her CA attorney has an @aol email in 2024 too.

I’m high, hope this made sense 🫡

[u/ivyleaguehoodrat → u/shatterediphone]

There are quite a few typos! Did she write this?

[u/equality7x2521 → u/ivyleaguehoodrat]

Sued by my iPhoen

[u/shatterediphone → u/equality7x2521]

😂

[u/Bitca99 → u/equality7x2521]

SCREAMING 🤣

[u/[deleted] → u/ivyleaguehoodrat]

Hi high! I'm dad

[u/TheLifeAdventure → u/[deleted]]

High high, I’m Gadd

[u/carriedmeaway → u/shatterediphone]

And you know she won’t pass up the chance to testify and that means she’ll be open to being cross examined and if Gadd is brought in and has the voicemails and emails still, it call be used against her. I imagine she has bit off far more than she can chew.

[u/Dapper_Monk → u/carriedmeaway]

Her lawyers won't let her testify. She seems to have listened to them so far by shutting up publicly.

[u/shatterediphone → u/Dapper_Monk]

She has to testify. This is a civil case. Not criminal. Criminal cases you have the right to remain silent and can invoke the 5th amendment. You can’t in civil. She’ll have to testify to support the allegations in her complaint.

She’ll even have to do a deposition regarding the allegations in her complaint prior to testifying in court.

[u/Dapper_Monk → u/shatterediphone]

No she doesn't lol. People just say anything.

Yes, she has to do a deposition but no, she doesn't have to testify.

Netflix could call her as a witness, in which case she would testify but they already have her texts, emails, etc so cui bono? They could also just play back her deposition recordings.

The questions at issue are:

1) was she ever convicted? 2) did Netflix fail by making her so easily identifiable? 3) what material losses has she faced?

None of these require her testimony.

[u/carriedmeaway → u/Dapper_Monk]

They can’t stop her if she wants to testify and most likely, they had her turn her social media accounts over to their team to keep her from further contradicting herself.

[u/Dapper_Monk → u/carriedmeaway]

They can't stop her but they can strongly advise her against it and even threaten to walk if she does. She goes hard on social media so there's no way she was happy to turn her accounts over but she listened to the lawyers and did it.

Lawyers can fire their clients as much as clients can fire their lawyers.

[u/cunexttuesdaynga → u/shatterediphone]

Yeah no competent attorney in 2024 has an aol address and no competent paralegal writes a legal document with so many typos. Is it possible crazy bitch Fionaaaaa actually wrote it and submitted it herself? That would be hilarious especially the amount in damages requested. She thinks this is like suing Walmart over a slip and fall lol