Baby Reindeer: Emmys' champion with a sinister backstory

The Netflix limited series 'Baby Reindeer' won four Emmys at the 2024 gala for best TV shows of the year. It was a great achievement and recognition of the talents of the British creators and cast.

'Baby Reindeer' has been a much-discussed black comedy-drama. It could be a recommendation for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. However, first read the somber backstory of 'Baby Reindeer' in this gallery...

Image: Netflix

At the Emmy Awards in September 2024, the creator and main character of 'Baby Reindeer', won Emmys for Best Limited Series, Best Writing for a Limited Series, and for his leading role.

Richard Gadd plays himself in the series: a young Scottish comedian who is trying to make a career in showbiz but can't seem to break through.

While trying out in several comedy clubs, the main character earns his living as a bartender. One day, a sad and lonely woman comes in for a drink, but she can't pay for it. He gives it to her for free and unwittingly causes her to fall head over heels in love with him. That's where the problems start.

Image: Netflix

The role of the lonely woman, who turns out to be a compulsory stalker, is played by Jessica Gunning. She perfectly embodies the funny aspects of the woman's behavior while also showing the profound sadness of her life. Gunning took home an Emmy Award for her performance in September 2024.

Martha is portrayed as a lonely, obsessive, unhealthy, loud, and temperamental woman. She says she is a lawyer but never seems to work. According to police records and media reports, she has had previous complaints about harassment of other men.

Image: Netflix

Richard Gadd, who calls himself Donny in the series, can't seem to get rid of her. Meanwhile, his admirer Martha calls him 'Baby Reindeer'.

The series was released in April 2024. For the first few episodes, it seemed hilarious and tragic at the same time. However, episode 4 takes a dramatic turn. A content warning is in place: this plot twist involves extreme violence and is not for everyone.

Image: Netflix

Responses on social media reflected the plot twist in the spring of 2024. They showed the runaway success of the comedic beginnings of the show, with 60 million views in the first month. Then, they reflected on the enormous shock as its storyline got serious. It was clear that 'Baby Reindeer' was going to be one of the most discussed shows of 2024.

Image: Netflix

Besides the discussions of the content of 'Baby Reindeer,' there was also much to do about the real protagonists of the story. Online sleuths started to investigate: who was this stalker lady in real life?

Image: Netflix

After curious followers of the show started to 'hunt' for the real Martha, a 58-year-old Scottish woman named Fiona Harvey came forward. She said the character of 'Martha' was based on her and that she had not been informed about the production of the series.

Image: Piers Morgan Uncensored / YouTube

Unsurprisingly, she was not pleased with Gadd's version of events. In an interview with The Daily Mail, she stated that "he's using 'Baby Reindeer' to stalk me now. I'm the victim. He's written a bl***y show about me."

Image: Piers Morgan / Instagram

In addition, Fiona Harvey denied certain parts of the story, such as her use of the nickname 'Baby Reindeer.' She also told Piers Morgan in his YouTube show that Richard had been the one pursuing her instead of the other way around, and that they only met five or six times.

Image: Piers Morgan / Instagram

According to Business Insider, the texts and emails shown in the series are the real messages that his stalker sent to Richard Gadd. As the creator himself explained in the Netflix portal Tudum, his stalker sent him "41,000 emails and hundreds of hours worth of voice messages."

Image: Netflix

Deadline reported in the week of the Emmy Awards gala that Fiona Harvey is suing Netflix for defamation. She argues that it is clear to everyone that 'Martha' is based on her and that the events presented in the series are not true. The case, in which Harvey demands $170 million in damages, will go before a judge in May 2025.

Image: Netflix

Meanwhile, Richard Gadd has struck a deal with Netflix to make more comedy and drama for the streaming platform. Deadline states that he has "signed a multi-year first-look deal... for scripted series."

The comedian/actor/writer says on Deadline: "I'm beyond thrilled to be continuing my creative journey with Netflix... They took a chance on me when I wasn't proven in the television space, for that I will always be grateful."

Image: Netflix

Finally, 'Baby Reindeer' has boosted the career of Nava Mau, the Mexican transgender actress who plays Donny's girlfriend. She's also appeared in season 5 of 'You' (Netflix, 2024) and in the HBO Max series 'Generation' (2021). We will surely hear more from this talented, Emmy-nominated actress!

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