UK MP Demands Proof from Netflix Over ‘Convicted Stalker’ Claim in Baby Reindeer

Questions about Fiona Harvey, the woman who inspired Baby Reindeer‘s Martha Scott, continue to grow. An MP (Member of Parliament) is now asking Netflix to provide proof that Harvey is a convicted stalker after the series concluded with the character’s conviction. The streamer coined the drama, written and starring Richard Gadd, as a real-life tale.

Baby Reindeer (2024)

4.5/5

A seemingly innocent interaction with a customer turns into a chaotic journey as the life of aspiring comedian Donny spirals out of control and brings up the past. 

Release Date

April 11, 2024

Cast

Richard Gadd , Jessica Gunning , Danny Kirrane , Nava Mau

Seasons

1

Writers

Richard Gadd

Directors

Weronika Tofilska , Josephine Bornebusch

Scottish National Party MP John Nicholson, who sits on the UK Parliament’s influential Culture, Media and Sport Committee, shared a letter via X (previously Twitter) following a meeting with Netflix exec Benjamin King on May 8. During that meeting, King said Baby Reindeer was “obviously a true story of the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker.”

Nicholson’s letter stated:

“I asked you about the Netflix series Baby Reindeer and, specifically, the duty of care due to the woman now identified as Martha from the series.

You told me the following: ‘[Baby Reindeer] is obviously the true story of the horrific abuse that the writer […] suffered, at the hands of a convicted stalker.

We did take every reasonable precaution in disguising the real-life identities of the people whilst striking a balance with the veracity and authenticity of [the] story.’

Journalists have thus far been unable to find a record of the conviction to which you referred.”

According to the BBC, misleading a committee is in contempt of Parliament.

Fiona Harvey Addresses Baby Reindeer Allegations on Piers Morgan Uncensored

Following its April 11 premiere, Baby Reindeer‘s popularity quickly grew, and with it, curiosity as to who the real-life versions of Martha Scott and Darrien O’Connor were. Speculation mounted about the two characters, but several similarities between Martha Scott (portrayed by Jessica Gunning) and Harvey were hard to deny. After Harvey confirmed she was the inspiration behind the character, she made an eyebrow-raising appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

During the 55-minute conversation, Harvey claimed that she had never been convicted of a stalking crime and denied any romantic feelings for Gadd. Instead, she said, she had turned down Gadd as she didn’t “fancy little boys without jobs.” On the series, Gadd’s stalker had sent him over 41,000 emails; Harvey claimed this was fabricated. During the conclusion of Baby Reindeer, Martha receives a nine-month prison sentence. Harvey said that was “completely untrue,” adding:

“I am not a stalker, I have not been to jail, I’ve not got injunctions – it is complete nonsense.”

Morgan said that portraying Martha as a stalker who serves prison time for her actions is a “serious failure by Netflix” since “nobody’s found any evidence whatsoever that she has any criminal record, let alone for anything to do with Richard Gadd.”

Related

Netflix Says They Took ‘Every Reasonable Precaution’ to Disguise Real-Life Identities of Baby Reindeer Characters

Netflix recently faced scrutiny from the UK Parliament over Baby Reindeer, and if they did everything in their power to protect the innocent.

Harvey has said she will sue Netflix and Gadd; she recently added Morgan to her list of targets, saying that she had been offered £250 for the interview but would now seek more than that “piddling” amount. She said:

Netflix and Gadd have not commented on Harvey’s interview or criminal history.