Los Angeles, USA – In a major legal decision, Fiona Harvey, also known as “Martha” from the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, has been given the green light to proceed with a defamation lawsuit against the streaming giant. A judge has ruled that the series, which claimed to be based on true events, misrepresented her character and exaggerated allegations of stalking and abuse.
Harvey is suing Netflix and the show’s creator, British screenwriter Richard Gadd, for defamation, accusing them of falsely portraying her as a violent criminal who sexually assaulted Gadd. The series, which aired in April 2024, became a massive hit and earned six Emmy Awards, but its portrayal of Harvey has sparked intense controversy.
In his ruling, Judge Gary Klausner stated that Netflix’s claim that Baby Reindeer was a “true story” is inaccurate, giving Harvey grounds to sue. The judge wrote, “There is a major difference between stalking and being convicted of stalking in a court of law,” further noting that the series exaggerated the events for dramatic effect.
Although Harvey’s claims of negligence and violation of publicity rights were dismissed, she has been allowed to pursue a lawsuit for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Harvey argues that the series, despite never naming her directly, led to public identification and widespread harassment, particularly on social media, where viewers quickly made connections between her and the show’s fictional character.
This ruling comes after Netflix’s earlier attempt to have the case dismissed in July, when they sought an injunction to block the lawsuit. However, Klausner’s decision paves the way for Harvey to seek damages, raising questions about the responsibilities of content creators when representing real-life individuals.
Despite the legal battle, Baby Reindeer remains a critical success, attracting millions of viewers. Yet, this case serves as a reminder of the ethical boundaries between entertainment and factual storytelling.
Stay tuned for further updates as this lawsuit unfolds.