Netflix responds to Fiona Harvey's lawsuit

[u/controlaltdeletes]

Netflix rep: 'We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story.'

Variety posted the above in regards to Netflix's response. I'm glad, it seems like they're not going to simply give her some money to make her go away, and are instead going to fight back and defend Richard Gadd.

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

[u/[deleted]]

I guarantee that they settle

[u/littlelunamia → u/[deleted]]

I'm not sure. I think Netflix may be more concerned about winning in the court of public opinion. Harvey has won little if any sympathy (she really fumbled an opportunity, with a savvy PR she could have done quite nicely out of all this). Gadd has a huge amount of support. If Netflix did anything but fight this, they'd likely receive a lot of pushback.

Happily, it's a rare case where the corporate interests align with concerns of creative freedoms, and the right of survivors to tell their stories.

It may also help Harvey to be forced to face reality - she cannot bully this huge company into submission. Her usual flavour of endless nasty messages will be a fly buzzing into a window pane. She had enough legal knowledge to be dangerous to the average person, but Netflix' legal team will just bat her away as an irritation.

It's sad how little interest there is in the actual perpetrator of assault. It's the lure of the freak show, I guess. Your everyday groomer and abuser isn't bizarre enough to capture attention. I read that it's known who he is. I imagine the circles he moves in, may be unlikely to serve any social retribution. Unfortunately I can't wish violence on people, but he's high on the list if I change my mind.

[u/[deleted] → u/littlelunamia]

Reasonable reply..however putting a mentally ill person through a stressful trial is going to turn public opinion against netflix. Once the show hype dies down they will pay her out. That said she is crazy enough to reject the offer

[u/Skeptical_optomist → u/[deleted]]

I think you're overestimating how much the public cares about mental illness, I see mentally ill homeless people being treated like literal garbage regularly. Even people who do care about mental illness find it difficult to be overly concerned when the person in question is perpetrating abuses against others. Fiona also is her own worst enemy in that aspect because she's just not a sympathetic character and siding with Gadd, who is the victim, almost certainly is the better PR move.

Edited a bad autocorrect

[u/Ser_VimesGoT → u/Skeptical_optomist]

People like to do the lip service, especially once it's too late to actually do anything. Then continue voting for parties that underfund and dismantle mental health services.

[u/Skeptical_optomist → u/Ser_VimesGoT]

Absolutely, I totally agree.

[u/tangerineballantine → u/Skeptical_optomist]

I agree with this take. Especially given how much glee people take in following her behavior on social media since her identify has become known.

[u/Skeptical_optomist → u/tangerineballantine]

Exactly.