Since its release in early April, the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer has sparked quite the discussion. Responses range from praising creator Richard Gadd’s honest presentation of trauma to criticisms about putting the real people it is based on in harm’s way.
Billed as a true story, the show chronicles the real-life experiences of Gadd trying to make it as a successful comedian while working at The Heart pub in Camden. There, he meets Martha, a woman who comes into the pub one day looking visibly upset. After offering her a cup of tea, the two embark on an incredibly complicated relationship as he navigates various aspects of trauma and sexuality.
In the show, Martha is played by Jessica Gunning, who develops a fixation with Gadd’s Donny, and begins sending him hundreds of emails and attending his live comedy shows. Although Gadd has refrained from revealing any of the true identities within the show, and has even encouraged viewers to withhold speculation, the woman the character is allegedly based on has spoken out about her plans to sue the creator.
In a new interview with the Daily Record, she said “none of this happened”, branding it “a load of rubbish.” This marks the first time she has given the press permission to name her, citing the fact that “people have to know what is going on.”
Despite Gadd explaining the slight change in the show’s ending compared to how everything actually transpired in real life, ‘Martha’ also commented on her character’s prison sentence, stating: “I don’t know where the four-and-a-half years and nine months comes in.”
She added: “Gadd needs to prove I went to jail which just didn’t happen. I’ve never been sent to jail. That is blatantly obvious.”
Her remarks follow previous statements she made about Gadd’s accusations. She told the Scottish Sun that she plans to pursue legal action because “people are probably saying I’m a mass murderer.” She added: “This can’t continue. I will kick their asses.”
Although Baby Reindeer is billed as a true story, Gadd has insisted that the various incidences are “borrowed from instances” regarding the “real people” he met. During one particularly harrowing scene, Gadd’s Donny is sexually assaulted by a well-known industry figure who claims to propel his career – a promise that keeps Donny returning despite his awareness of the realities of the situation.
Since the show aired, viewers have speculated about the various character identities, causing Gadd to speak out on his social media. In a statement, he urged people to stop searching for answers: “People I love, have worked with and admire are unfairly getting caught up in speculation,” he said, adding, “Please don’t speculate on who any of the real-life people could be. That’s not the point of the show.”
Watch the trailer for Baby Reindeer below.
