“Trial Date Set for Baby Reindeer’s Owner Who is Suing Netflix for $170M Defamation”
Baby Reindeer, which was released on Netflix, received mixed feedback. Reports suggested that there were rumors circulating that the story was inspired by a 48-year-old woman from Scotland. The creator of the series, Richard Gadd, claimed that the story was based on a true event but faced skepticism regarding its accuracy.
Fiona Harvey, who alleged to be the real-life inspiration for the character Martha, filed a lawsuit against Netflix for damages, claiming that the series was a hoax. The lawsuit, totaling $170 million, aimed to prove that the events depicted in the series were real.
Recently, a federal judge set a start date of May 6 for Fiona Harvey’s lawsuit against Netflix, with the proceedings expected to last around two weeks.
While Netflix did not comment on the trial start date, the company, led by Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, reiterated its support for Richard Gadd and its intention to defend the matter vigorously.
The lawsuit, filed on June 6, 2024, claims that the character Martha in Baby Reindeer is based on Fiona Harvey, which Richard Gadd disputes, stating that Martha is a fictional character with distinct traits from Harvey.
Gadd’s declaration on July 28 supported Netflix’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the “true story” disclaimer in the show is not to be taken literally and labeling Harvey’s defamation claim as inadequate.
In his declaration, Gadd clarified that the “this is a true story” disclaimer at the beginning of Baby Reindeer should not be taken literally. This development comes as the series receives multiple nominations at the 76th Primetime Emmys.
Having already won awards for Casting and Picture Editing at the Creative Arts Emmys, Baby Reindeer is now nominated for Best Limited or Anthology Series, Lead Actor in a Limited Series, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Gunning.
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