Baby Reindeer, a dark new British drama, is proving to be quite the hit for Netflix. It's gotten rave reviews, with critics calling it "a rare gem," "a brave, moving, and often disturbing watch," and more. It's currently the top show on Netflix's U.S. chart, and even Stephen King has taken notice. The reaction to the series, however, is sparking a new debate, as sleuths try to dig up the real-life people referenced in creator Richard Gadd's story.
For those who haven’t caught up on the drama, Baby Reindeer tells the story of Donny Dunn, a struggling comedian who winds up attracting the attention of a stalker named Martha Scott. It’s based on a true story from Gadd's own life, who also wrote the project and stars as its lead. It's undoubtably a harrowing watch, not only for the extensive stalking situation (Gadd's real-life stalker sent him 41,000 emails over three years, in addition to hundreds of hours of voicemails), but another intense plotline involving sexual abuse.
Given that it's based on real events, Gadd has spoken in several interviews about the lengths he's gone to keep his real-life stalker from being identifiable. For one, "Martha Scott" is not her real name, and Gadd told GQ Magazine that they went to far to disguise her "to the point that I don’t think she would recognise herself. What’s been borrowed is an emotional truth, not a fact-by-fact profile of someone." Still, fans believe they have found the stalker, who's allegedly come out to identify herself too, as well another person who's referenced in the series.
Warning: Spoiler for Netflix's Baby Reindeer below.
In addition to Martha, another prominent character in Gadd's story is a comedy writer named in the show Darrien O'Connor, played by Tom Goodman-Hill. About halfway through the seven-episode limited series, it's revealed that Darrien sexually assaulted Donny in one of its most devastating moments. Viewers have in turn tried to dig up the real-life inspiration for Darrien, and one individual facing the fallout of speculation is Mindhorn director and Gadd’s friend, Sean Foley, who fans targeted due to his previous work with Gadd and his resemblance to Goodman-Hill.
“People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation,” Gadd wrote in an Instagram story (later shared by Foley on X/Twitter). “Please don’t speculate on who any of the real life people could be. That’s not the point of our show.”
— sean foley (@SeanFoleyJ) April 23, 2024
In a separate X/Twitter post, Foley said, “Police have been informed and are investigating all defamatory abusive and threatening posts against me.” This same post is littered with replies related to Baby Reinder.
“Just admit it,” one user replied.
“Internet detectives got ya,” another added.
The TV version of Gadd’s stalker, meanwhile, is portrayed by Jessica Gunning, but as reported by The Daily Mail, it didn’t take viewers too long to find out who the real-life stalker probably is. The individual, whose identity the story keeps anonymous, says she’s received death threats and abuse from the show’s supporters.
“He's using Baby Reindeer to stalk me now,” she claimed. “I'm the victim. He's written a bloody show about me.”
She denies stalking Gadd, saying that he has “main character syndrome” and that he “always thinks he’s at the center of things.” The woman is considering taking legal action against Gadd.
"I'm not writing shows about him or promoting them in the media, am I?" she added. "If he wanted me to be properly anonymous, he could have done so. Gadd should leave me alone."
“Please don’t speculate on who any of the real life people could be. That’s not the point of our show.
“
Baby Reindeer, a series that tackles stalking by retelling a true story through a new lens, has somehow managed to spawn an online campaign dedicated to, well, digging up real-life people. As Gadd pleads with fans to refrain from digging into the lives of real individuals, the irony isn't lost on all of the show's viewers.
"People's immediate reaction after watching a show on stalking is to stalk someone," one user on Reddit said.
Howard Kennedy Media Lawyer Mark Stephens commented on the trend that has seen true crime fans flocking to attempt to solve cases themselves (via The Guardian). He calls the desire to become an internet detective "incredibly dangerous," explaining that these same people could wind up ruining real investigations.
"Perhaps we have got to the stage now with true crime entertainment where we need warnings to viewers and listeners saying, ‘Please don’t investigate this yourself’, of the kind already made to a jury," Stephens added. "Certainly, drama makers may need to go further to disguise people, routinely changing some of the fundamentals, and not just names, to prevent people being identified or misidentified."
Baby Reindeer premiered on Netflix on April 11, 2024. For more, be sure to check out the best movies to watch on Netflix this month.
If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual abuse you can reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Additional resources can be found at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
