Lo and behold, a comedy drama-thriller show that has made its way up to Netflix’s Top No. 3 TV shows — a limited series entitled “Baby Reindeer.” A riveting tale that was inspired by the show’s own creator, Richard Gadd, following his steps as he reveals his life’s most traumatic experiences involving an obsessive stalker.
The show unfolds the most unexpected turns of events Gadd has gone through — emphasizing his encounter with a middle-aged woman named Martha Scott who was portrayed by actress Jessica Gunning. Here is where we learn that said character grows easily attached to people and in this case, Richard Gadd is unfortunately her next prey.
From episode to episode, there isn’t a single moment where it shows Gadd’s life in calmness and peace. It frequently presents his tormenting and aching. With every minute this series continues, Scott is seen doing the most unthinkable things. From sending him a total of 41,000 emails, 744 tweets, 100 paged letters, 350 hours of voicemails and worst of all, sexually assaulting him by a canal.
Although, as this is a retold story, Gadd had decided to change numerous aspects of the series to retain ambiguity and the privacy of the real people involved. But, when a narrative is too compelling and especially touches on the most indescribable occurrences — people start to speculate “who is this person and why do such horrible things?”
With the immeasurable content of the internet, the public started to hunt down the stalker who allegedly ruined Gadd’s life. And with such ease, they quickly discovered who Martha Scott really is in real life — Fiona Harvey was who the public concluded. They were quick to find Harvey as it turns out she had a streak of harassing people beforehand.
According to The U.S Sun News, Labour MP Jimmy Wray and his wife Laura were one of Harvey’s victims where they were harassed for a total of five years. Laura spoke up about the matter and stated that she was subjected to disturbing phone calls and uninvited visits at her home — she was once also told: “I’m going to get you.”
Laura said she was incredibly scared of her family and friends as they were also bombarded with emails and this incident is exactly what Gadd had experienced.
As a great number of people were brimmed with empathy once finished the show, the public started expressing immense hate toward Harvey. Threatening and hateful comments were filling her Facebook page. This got the attention of both Gadd and Gunning and they immediately urged everyone to stop speculating and spreading negativity as that was not the reason why “Baby Reindeer” was made, this was said on a now expired Instagram story.
It’s safe to say that “Baby Reindeer” is getting everyone’s attention with Gadd also getting interviewed by “This Morning” on YouTube which has accumulated over 2 million views.
Unfortunately, Harvey didn’t take this all too well. The information from Aberdeen Live News, claimed that, “Baby Reindeer’s real-life Martha will sue Netflix with the help of a top UK lawyer, Chris Daw, who defended Ryan Giggs and killer Kenneth Noye.”
She also stated: “Chris is recommending Grosvenor Law in Mayfair to engage as solicitors against Netflix. He will also be telling people to stop hounding me.” This proves how fed up she is with all the accusations she is receiving.
An English broadcaster and journalist, Piers Morgan, owner of the “Piers Morgan Uncensored” show, got a hold of Harvey and invited her on.
In that episode Harvey detests almost all the accusations Gadd pointed towards her. Obviously, the things she was saying didn’t align with what the show presented. She told Morgan that from the very start it was Gadd that was obsessed with her and not the other way around.
“They’re milking it for all their worth. It was the right time to abuse someone on — all over social media and all over, you know, basically somebody who’s not from lovey land, not from theater land — just abuse me all over the newspapers. They’re happy with themselves,” was Fiona Harvey’s response regarding her thoughts on the show.
“I think he’s psychotic and I think anyone going along being in that play and doing this to somebody. I find the behavior outrageous,” she continued.
Throughout the 54 minute interview, she also reveals how she only knew him for a span of two to three months and not years. Never attacked Gadd by the canal, never threatened anybody. Just “a few” emails and slight contact.
Further into the interview, Piers Morgan pressed her about the Laura situation and she fought back yet again defending herself.
“She has repeatedly maintained this over 25 years, I checked with the Sheriff Clark, another lawyer checked with the Sheriff Clark. She does not have an interim interdict, I think she’s quite wrong.”
When asked about what her upbringing was like, she proceeded to tell the story about her background and how her parents were divorced when she was 9. From here, people assume Harvey may be as how Gadd portrayed her to be. As in the show Martha Scott is a mentally unstable person with a lot of family baggage and Harvey could be too.
Lastly, Morgan asked Harvey in the interview if she would be open to taking a lie detector test and she confidently replied with a yes, stating that she doesn’t feel like she’s in the wrong.
She finally leaves Gadd with a message: Leave me alone please. Get a life please, get a proper job. I’m horrified at what you’ve done.
In several scenes from the show, it is evident that Gadd repeatedly returns to his abuser. Some speculate that Gadd might have created the entire show as a way to maintain contact with his abuser, as he admits on the show to falling back into that cycle multiple times.
We may never know the truth of the matter. There are too many facts to consider from both sides. Although, now that you, as the reader, have gathered more information about the whole “Baby Reindeer” controversy. It is inevitable that you are left with the question, “Who is telling the true story?” But more importantly whether, “Are YOU Team Gadd or Harvey?”
Here are the links to the interview and articles mentioned:
Piers Morgan interview: https://youtu.be/mK-isQXd_Qw?si=2FelRfq8HEFk1NuG
The U.S Sun News: https://www.the-sun.com/tv/11337521/fiona-harvey-baby-reindeer-stalking-netflix-show/
Aberdeen Live News: https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/real-life-martha-baby-reindeer-9285302
More articles about the matter:
Daily Mail articles regarding Fiona Harvey:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13403369/Martha-Fiona-Harvey-Baby-Reindeer-TV-interview.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13406729/baby-reindeer-stalking-victim-tv-interview-real-life.html
