Baby Reindeer's real-life Martha is in the process of suing Netflix for defamation and is asking for a colossal sum.
Hitting screens on April 11, Baby Reindeer follows the story of a wannabe comedian whose random act of kindness leaves him a victim to a female stalker who will stop at nothing to fuel her obsession for him.
While the creator of the show, Richard Gadd, tried his best to keep the identities of his characters carefully under wraps, it seems as though the constant hounding by internet folks has uncovered the real-life Martha and she's now given her side of the story.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on his show Piers Morgan Uncensored last month, Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey denied the claims made against her because of the show and made some pretty big counter-revelations, one of which was potentially suing Netflix.
At the time, she told Morgan: “I will be taking legal action against Richard Gadd and Netflix. We have instructed lawyers in part, but we want to explore all of the options out there. There are a number of people to sue."
Later on, when asked if she had a message for Gadd if he was watching, she said: “Leave me alone, please. Get a life, get a proper job. I am horrified at what you’ve done.”
Now just a month later Harvey has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant for at least $170 million, as per a report by Page Six.
After seeing legal documents, the outlet reported that she filed the suit on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right to publicity.
She also complained about Netflix basing the relentless stalker character from Baby Reindeer on her life and persona.
“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 [creator and star Richard] Gadd,” the complaint reads.
"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money, it continues before later highlighting that the “This is a true story” disclaimer at the beginning of the series leads viewers to believe every detail is based on solid facts.
Elsewhere in the filing, she also accused Netflix and Gadd of knowing the risks that were associated with the release of the show, but still chose to do it anyway.
"[They had] actual subjective awareness of the risk involved, but nevertheless proceeded in conscious indifference to the rights, safety, and/or welfare of [her]," the suit stated, noting that this caused her to suffer from "severe and extreme emotional distress."
"Harvey is physically weak,” the complaint continues. "She has and continues to experience anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, shame, depression, nervousness, stomach pains, loss of appetite and fear, extreme stress and sickness all directly caused by the lies told about her in ‘Baby Reindeer.'"
According to the outlet, she is now seeking a minimum of $170 million plus profits earned from the series, since she also claimed that “Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character, and her life."
Netflix addressed the filing in a statement, telling Page Six that they "intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story."
