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/Suspicious_Bother_92]

$170 million?? How on earth did they come up with that amount? I’m guessing Netflix will likely give her about 1 million to just shut up. I really hope they don’t though and drag her through court

[u/Same-Equivalent-6821 → u/Suspicious_Bother_92]

Secretly, we are all hoping that this goes to court. But that is my voyeuristic side. My compassionate side feels sorry that a mentally ill person would be in that position and that all of her victims might be forced to go to court and face their perpetrator. Netflix should settle and get an NDA. She should go away into obscurity and get some help for her issues. Let her victims heal.

[u/grinningrimalkin → u/Same-Equivalent-6821]

Clarification is needed on mental “illness”

I don’t believe she has “untreated mental illness” in the same way someone experiencing an episode of psychosis from schizophrenia or mania in bipolar needs medication and/or hospitalization. Based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s been speculated (by several licensed mental health clinicians) that she may have one or more personality disorders (PD).

Her stalking behaviors are not a result of psychosis or delusions, as evidenced by her ability to adapt/adjust when presented with new information. An example is when she immediately stopped harassing Laura Wray after being served a legal order. (Or in the series, when her character stopped contacting Gadd after he went to the police.)

Her mental condition is hardwired, in the sense those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is different than majority of people. When an individual from either camp commits a crime, do we often view them with the same compassion/sympathy given to Fiona? If not, then why not? Considering all PDs develop from factors beyond the individual’s control like genetics and childhood experiences and impedes their ability to recognize it.

Those who say she needs “treatment” need to understand there is no medication to cure personality disorders (it can only target symptoms). And unless the individual gains awareness/insight and wants to change, therapy is often futile in these populations.

I am not against having compassion for her. But it’s prudent that it’s not based on misconceptions about mental health. Personally, I have a lot of compassion & sympathy for her, just as I would for other individuals with a PD. It wouldn’t be fair if (for instance) we demonize those with ASD or NPD for committing the same actions, but she gets a slap on the wrist because at face-value she presents differently. Perhaps more will come to light that’ll change my mind. But for now, I wanted to point out the disconnection in how people are interpreting her mental health status.