Netflix Defamation Case Over 'Baby Reindeer' Proceeds

A US judge, Gary Klausner, has ruled that Netflix's hit series 'Baby Reindeer' was wrongly labeled as a 'true story,' allowing Fiona Harvey, who claims to be the real-life inspiration behind the character Martha, to pursue her $170 million defamation lawsuit against the streaming giant. Harvey alleges that the show falsely depicted her as sexually assaulting and stalking creator Richard Gadd, leading to severe emotional distress and public identification by viewers. Gadd maintains the show is based on his real-life experiences but admits to fictionalizing elements for dramatic effect. Judge Klausner stated that the misrepresentation could lead viewers to believe the exaggerated actions shown in the series were factual, differentiating between alleged and convicted crimes. Netflix had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was denied, allowing the case to move forward.