Judge Rules ‘Baby Reindeer’ Was Not a ‘True Story,’ Allows Real Martha to Sue Netflix

As a seasoned cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the complexities of narrative storytelling and the intricacies of real-life events, I find myself deeply intrigued by this legal battle between Fiona Harvey and Richard Gadd over the Netflix show “Baby Reindeer.

On Friday, it was decided by a judge that the Netflix series “Baby Reindeer” didn’t accurately portray itself as a “true story,” paving the way for the real-life character known as “Martha” to proceed with her defamation case.

Fiona Harvey claimed that the show produced by Richard Gadd falsely suggested that she had sexually assaulted him, blinded him by gouging out his eyes, and was imprisoned for stalking him.

In July, Netflix submitted a request to dismiss the lawsuit. In response, Gadd disclosed that Harvey had harassed him for years while he worked at a London pub. This included instances where she would inappropriately touch his bottom and send him numerous distressing emails and voicemails. He eventually contacted the police about her behavior, but no criminal charges were filed or jail time served against her. Instead, he was given a harassment warning.

In his decision handed down on Friday, Judge Gary Klausner pointed out that the show begins with the statement “This is a true story,” which encourages the audience to accept subsequent events as factual. However, he determined that Martha’s actions portrayed on the series are far more egregious than the allegations against Harvey in actual reality.

As a discerning movie critic, I’d rephrase it thus: “It’s crucial to recognize that while an action may be disturbing, like stalking or inappropriate touching, the consequences as determined by a court of law can vary significantly. For instance, there’s a world of difference between a simple shove and gouging someone’s eyes. While the former might be seen as unacceptable, the latter carries a far more severe impact, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s mind.

On the show itself, Harvey remained unmentioned, yet savvy internet detectives swiftly identified her using digital trail clues.

Gadd originally worked at the Hawley Arms pub while pursuing his dream as a comedian, and he claims that the Netflix series is inspired by his experiences there. However, it’s important to note that both the show and its stage play adaptation are not exact retellings of real-life events, but rather fictionalized versions.

According to an article published by The Sunday Times in June, Gadd initially had doubts about adding the phrase “This is a true story,” but Netflix insisted on its inclusion. In his ruling, the judge pointed out this detail and suggested that it could potentially prove “actual malice,” meaning Netflix was aware that the show was fictionalized, yet deliberately misrepresented it as factual.

Klausner didn’t accept Harvey’s allegations of negligence, violation of publicity rights, or claims for punitive damages. However, the judge permitted her to continue with a claim of intentionally causing severe emotional distress due to the making of “extraordinarily offensive” false statements.

In the judge’s words, it seems clear that an objective observer might interpret remarks about Martha as referring to the Defendant. The series indicates that the Defendant has been convicted of a crime involving sexual and violent assault on Gadd. These actions could potentially be seen as extremely shocking and beyond the ordinary.

2024-09-28 05:16

Judge Rules ‘Baby Reindeer’ Was Not a ‘True Story,’ Allows Real Martha to Sue Netflix

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