Martha from Baby Reindeer. Photo: Netflix, Supplied
The Scottish woman who claims that she is the inspiration for the character of Martha in the popular Netflix show, Baby Reindeer , is suing Netflix for $170 million (NZ$182 million), Variety reported on Friday.
Fiona Harvey is suing the streaming giant, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and violations of her right of publicity, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Harvey alleges Netflix told "brutal lies" about her in the hugely successful series which depicts the story of Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, stalking emerging comedian, Richard Gadd.
"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," the court documents say.
"… Harvey's life has been ruined. Simply Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character and her life."
At the start of the show, there's a declaration - "this is a true story". Not "based on a true story" or "inspired by true events".
Harvey claims this is the "biggest lie in television history".
Martha and Donny Dunn in Baby Reindeer. Photo: Netflix, Supplied
"It is a lie told by Netflix and the show's creator, Richard Gadd, out of greed and lust for fame; a lie designed to attract more viewers, get more attention, to make more money, and to viciously destroy the life of Plaintiff, Fiona Harvey - an innocent woman defamed by Netflix and Richard
Gadd at a magnitude and scale without precedent."
Baby Reindeer is adapted from a one-man Edinburgh Fringe show of the same name written by Gadd.
In the series, Gadd plays a version of himself, called Donny Dunn. Over the seven-episode story we follow his trajectory from barman to comedian, as a woman named Martha becomes obsessed with him, sending more than 41,000 emails, 350 hours of voicemails, hundreds of tweets and more than 100 letters.
Internet sleuths were quickly able to identify the woman they believed to be Martha, despite pleas from Gadd to stop speculating who the real-life people were.
UK TV host Piers Morgan interviewed Harvey, who told the British broadcaster she felt forced to come forward after receiving online death threats.
She described Baby Reindeer as a "work of fiction" and "hyperbole". She said she sent Gadd a couple of emails, one letter, and some tweets.
Gadd has said previously he doesn't think he'll ever comment on it again. He, nor Netflix, responded to Variety's request for comment over Harvey's lawsuit.