An accused stalker files lawsuit against Netflix.
Netflix's series "Rentierbaby" has gained significant attention in recent times for its gripping portrayal of a man stalked by a woman named Martha. Unbeknownst to viewers, a Scottish woman has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant, claiming $170 million in damages and asserting herself as the real Martha.
The series has garnered much acclaim, with many praising the brutally honest account given by author-actor Richard Gadd who not only wrote and starred in it, but based its main character Donny on his actual experiences with a stalker. However, this woman from Scotland has filed a lawsuit, arguing that not only is she the real-life Martha, but also the victim portrayed.
Behind the lawsuit lies Fiona Harvey, who allegedly stalked Gadd in his 20s. In the legal complaint, she accuses Netflix of defamation, negligence, violation of her right to publication, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Unlike the stalker portrayed in "Rentierbaby," Harvey is not a twice-convicted stalker sentenced to five years in prison and did not sexually abuse Gadd, as the series claims.
The indictment claims that "Rentierbaby" has "ruined" her life through "lies" and the "completely reckless behavior" of Netflix and Gadd. The series has a disclaimer at the beginning, stating it is "a true story," but Harvey's lawyers deem it "the biggest lie in the history of television." According to these lawyers, Gadd tailored the narrative to boost his fame.
Neither Gadd nor Netflix have commented on the lawsuit. A statement from Netflix promises to "vigorously defend this matter" and to protect the "right of the series creator to tell his story."
Gadd has been vocal about changing aspects of the real-life Martha and a comedy writer he accuses of sexual abuse to prevent identification. Curious fans of the show, though, were able to uncover Harvey's identity through thorough examination of Gadd's social media accounts. The resemblance between the actress portraying Martha, Jessica Gunning, and Harvey, who is also a lawyer from Scotland, was undeniable, the indictment states.
Within a few days, Harvey's identity was revealed as Martha. She then appeared on Piers Morgan's YouTube show, expressing plans to sue both Gadd and Netflix. She denied sending him 41,000 emails, 350 voice messages, and 744 tweets, as claimed in the series, and deemed Gadd "psychotic." However, her statements on the show reportedly contained false information. A different woman, attorney Laura Wray, also claimed to be a victim of Harvey's on the same show and branded her a "dangerous stalker."
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The lawsuit against Netflix has brought up concerns about the portrayal of real-life events in "Rentierbaby," with the accused stalker, Fiona Harvey, claiming that she is the real-life Martha and the victim depicted in the series. Additionally, Harvey argues that Netflix and author-actor Richard Gadd have defamed her and caused emotional distress through the show's depiction.
