Lawyers for the ‘real Martha’ Fiona Harvey are reportedly demanding the release of thousands of texts and emails as part of a £135million lawsuit against Netflix following the release of Baby Reindeer.
In the filing, Harvey has accused the streamer of telling ‘brutal lies’ about her in the mini-series, which is billed as a true story.
The seven disturbing episodes were inspired by Richard Gadd’s real life, but the characters were adapted.
Donny (played by Gadd) is terrorised by Martha (Jessica Gunning) after a chance meeting. It begins when Martha walks into the pub where he works as a barman, and becomes obsessed after one act of kindness. Soon, his whole life is dominated by this unhealthy infatuation, as he’s followed in real life.
Donny also receives daily messages from Martha, over email, and eventually through his phone number. It totals to a claimed 41,000 emailsand hundreds of hours worth of voice messages within the show.
According toVariety, Harvey is alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right to publicity.
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She is asking for £40million damages, £40 millionfor mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of business, and £15million punitive damages, reports The Sun, and is allegedly asking for the release of texts and emails.
The series concludes with Martha being sentenced to nine months. It is revealed she previously served a four-and-a-half-year jail term for a previous stalking conviction.
Internet sleuths first linked Harvey to the TV show, which has been watched by 50 million people, before she publicly spoke about the TV show with an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
She called the series ‘a work of fiction, a work of hyperbole’, insisting: ‘Iwanted to rebut that completely on this show – I am not a stalker, I have not been to jail, I’ve not got injunctions – it is complete nonsense.’
Now, via her lawyer, Harvey has once again criticised the show, in the legal documents submitted in California.
‘I have no doubt that the character of ‘Martha’ inBaby Reindeerwas intended to be a portrayal of me,’ Harvey said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter).
‘The problem for Richard Gadd and now for Netflix is thatBaby Reindeeris not a true story at all. I am not a ‘convicted stalker.’ I have never been charged with any crime.
‘Nobody ever approached me for any comment on the accuracy ofBaby Reindeeror the very serious and damaging allegation that I am a convicted criminal, with a serious criminal record, who has spent time in prison. Nobody ever asked for my permission to present me in this way or to use my image at all.’
In her filing, it reads: ‘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.
‘Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.’
It 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.’
A Netflix spokesperson said in response:‘We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.’
Gadd, who is not a defendant, previously saidhe doesn’t plan on speaking about the real-life identities of his characters, tellingThe Hollywood Reporter: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever comment on it ever again.’
‘It exists in a sort of fictional realm, even though it’s based on truth, it exists in a fictional realm, let’s enjoy the world that I’ve created. If I wanted the real life people to be found, I would’ve made it a documentary,’ he explained.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix and Fiona Harvey’s lawyers for comment.
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Baby Reindeer is available to watch on Netflix.
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