Popular streaming choice - Suspected "Reindeer Baby" harassment case takes Netflix to court for $170 million in reparations
Richard Gadd penned the script for the Netflix show "Rentierbaby." This Scottish author crafted an autobiographical plot centered around himself and a creepy woman he couldn't shake, dubbed "Martha." In the series, he's an unsuccessful comedian working as a bartender, who gets visited one day by a lady in the bar and is stuck with her throughout the entire show - she's his stalker.
Martha, supposedly a lawyer in real life (her real name is Fiona Harvey), didn't hide when the show drew lots of media attention. She even popped up on Piers Morgan's talk show "Uncensored" and spoke freely about the hype surrounding her.
Fiona Harvey challenges the veracity of "Rentierbaby"
But this British woman is now trying to make cash off the story and is suing Netflix for $170 million. She submitted the lawsuit in the Californian American state on Thursday. Fiona Harvey asserts that she has suffered from libel and emotional distress due to the series. She claims to be the actual "Martha" from the show.
However, she denies that the Netflix miniseries is derived from actual events, as she remembers distinct incidents than the ones shown. She alleges that Richard Gadd, the British comedian and show creator, told these "falsehoods" out of greed and a desire for fame. The narrative is warped.
She accuses Gadd of telling "lies" like: Harvey was twice convicted for stalking, received a five-year sentence for her actions, and sexually attacked him. She declares that these "lies" were manufactured because they "make for a better story than the reality - and more captivating stories yield more money."
The plaintiff alleges that Gadd's motivation for these untruths was "to draw in more viewers, generate more interest, make more money, and maliciously wreck Fiona Harvey's life."
Gadd countered by saying he changed details about the stalker in the series to conceal her identity. A Netflix rep promised the company will "stoutly" defend itself against the lawsuit and defend Gadd's right to share his tale.
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Fiona Harvey's lawsuit against Netflix for $170 million alleges that she is the character "Martha" from Richard Gadd's Netflix series "Rentierbaby" and claims that her portrayal has caused her emotional distress and libel. Despite Harvey's assertions that the series includes falsehoods, Gadd maintains that he altered some details to protect her identity.
Netflix and Gadd have opposed Harvey's lawsuit, with Netflix vowing to defend itself and Gadd's right to share his story. Harvey, however, accuses Gadd of fabricating details for financial gain and increased audience interest, including allegations of her past convictions for stalking and sexual assault on him.
