Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd tells of "extremely upsetting" stalking amidst lawsuit

Richard Gadd's series, Baby Reindeer, is based on his own stalking experience as a young comedian.

Richard Gadd, creator of “Baby Reindeer,” has shared his distressing experience with a woman who sued Netflix over her depiction in the show.

Gadd's series is based on his own stalking experience as a young comedian. He clarified in court that while the show reflects his emotions, it isn’t a literal account of events.

Gadd revealed he met the plaintiff, Fiona Harvey, at the Hawley Arms pub in 2014. He reported her harassment to the police in February 2016 after enduring two years of disturbing, explicit communications.

“The cumulative effect of all of Harvey’s actions was enormous,” Gadd wrote. “It was exhausting and extremely upsetting to deal with her constant personal interactions in the Hawley Arms, her following me around London including near where I lived and her relentless and deeply unpleasant communications.”

Harvey, not named in the show, spoke out after its release, claiming the portrayal of “Martha” was exaggerated.

She filed a $170 million lawsuit in June, arguing defamation over the show’s depiction of Martha as a convicted stalker with a five-year prison sentence, which she denies.

Harvey also disputes other claims, such as sexual assault, violence, and excessive stalking, as defamatory.

Netflix seeks to dismiss the suit, arguing the depiction is mostly true.

Gadd confirms he reported Harvey to the police and received a First Instance Harassment Warning, which ended the harassment.

Gadd reported that after their initial meeting, Harvey memorized his work schedule and would sit at the bar for his entire shift. He said she would interrupt his conversations with customers with inappropriate comments and sometimes pinch his buttocks.