Defamation Lawsuit Against Netflix Heats Up Following Baby Reindeer Emmy Wins

Richard Roth, the attorney representing Fiona Harvey, the real-life inspiration for the character Martha in Baby Reindeer, has issued a critical statement following the show’s recent Emmy successes.

In a comment to Deadline, Roth stated, “The Emmy wins confirm that Netflix’s strategy worked, going for the higher revenues and awards while leaving honesty and transparency behind.”

Harvey is pursuing a $170 million defamation lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the series—marketed as a “true story”—is “the biggest lie in television history.” The lawsuit claims that Baby Reindeer inaccurately depicted Harvey, portraying her as “a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison.” Netflix has admitted that Harvey has never been convicted of stalking. A trial is scheduled for 2025.

Also Read: ‘You Don’t Need Big Stars’ Says Richard Gadd As Netflix Series Baby Reindeer Bags 4 Emmys

Roth's remarks come on the heels of a robust defense from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who spoke at a Royal Television Society event in London. Sarandos said that Baby Reindeer is creator Richard Gadd’s “true story,” asserting that the series “is not a documentary; there are elements that are dramatised.” He also noted that the ongoing debate regarding duty of care standards surrounding Baby Reindeer is primarily a concern in the UK, stating, “The debate is not happening anywhere else in the world.”

In a move to strengthen its collaboration with Gadd, Netflix has signed him to a multi-year first-look deal for scripted series. This agreement was announced shortly after Baby Reindeer garnered significant recognition at the Emmys, winning six awards, including Outstanding Limited Series.

In July, Gadd filed a statement in support of Netflix's attempts to have Harvey's lawsuit dismissed. He argued that Harvey is not the character Martha, stating, “Like all characters in the series, Martha is a fictional character with fictional personality traits that are very different than Harvey’s.”

However, Gadd has also detailed his own experiences, claiming he was “harassed and stalked” by Harvey over several years. He provided evidence of this, including emails and other materials that are part of the court docket. Gadd noted he “obtained a First Instance Harassment Warning against Harvey” from UK police in 2016, adding, “Overall, it was an incredibly stressful and worrying time, with a sustained period of relentless behaviour taking place over several years.”

Baby Reindeer made a splash at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, winning four trophies. Creator and star Richard Gadd took home three awards for acting, writing, and executive producing. His co-star Jessica Gunning, who portrayed stalker Martha, won best supporting actress in a limited series.