Baby Reindeer’s alleged real-life Martha Fiona Harvey is suing Netflix for $170 million

Fiona Harvey, who claims she's the real-life Martha inspiration from the popular Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' is suing the streaming giant for a minimum of $170 million. 

Harvey claims Netflix portrayed her falsely and deceitfully in the show and lodged the lawsuit on Thursday, June 6, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

“The lies that Defendants told about Harvey to over 50 million people worldwide include that Harvey is a twice-convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison, and that Harvey sexually assaulted Gadd,” the complaint reads.

“Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money.” 

“As a result of Defendants’ lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey’s life had been ruined. Simply, Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character and her life,” the complaint continues. 

Harvey is seeking $170 million in damages, with a breakdown of at least $50 million for actual damages, $50 million for compensatory damages related to “mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and business loss,” $50 million for all profits from "Baby Reindeer," and at least $20 million in punitive damages.

'Baby Reindeer' is adapted from show creator Richard Gadd's play of the same title. The series features Gadd portraying a character named Donny Dunn, loosely based on himself, who becomes a target of a stalker named Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, and experiences sexual assault.

In a statement to the Daily Mail last month, Harvey indicated she was contemplating legal action against Netflix, asserting, "I'm the victim... He's written a bloody show about me." 

Nevertheless, a legal specialist informed Us Weekly exclusively that Harvey's recent actions have substantially undermined her legal position.