Fiona Harvey, claiming to be the real “Martha” from the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer, sat down for an interview with Piers Morgan where she accused him of trying to trip her up and set her up during the interview. Announcing the interview on his social media account, Morgan teased the interview by asking if she was a “psycho stalker” and claiming it was a world exclusive. In the interview, Harvey discussed receiving online death threats due to the series and expressed her intention to take legal action against Richard Gadd, the inspiration behind the show.
Baby Reindeer is a limited series based on Gadd’s one-man stage show in the UK, where he tells a fictionalized version of being stalked by a woman named Martha after showing her kindness at the pub where he works. The series has gained popularity on Netflix, with over 18.6 million views in its debut week. Harvey spoke out against the portrayal of her character in the series, stating that she only sent a few emails and messages to Gadd and felt rushed and set up during her interview with Morgan.
In response to the claims made by Harvey, Gadd has maintained that although the series is fictionalized, the emotions portrayed are true to his experience. During a Netflix interview panel, Gadd expressed empathy for the character of Martha and described her as someone who needed help. Despite the success of Baby Reindeer on Netflix, the controversy surrounding the real-life inspiration for the character has sparked discussions about the true story behind the series and the portrayal of stalking and mental health issues on screen.
Harvey felt that Morgan’s interview style was confrontational and described it as a “sparring match,” where she and Morgan exchanged verbal blows. She also revealed that other shows have been contacting her for interviews, but she is wary of trusting them due to negative experiences. Harvey questioned the truthfulness of the series and suggested that she felt used by the show’s creators. With high viewership numbers and praise from viewers like Stephen King, Baby Reindeer continues to be a topic of discussion among audiences and critics alike.
In her interviews, Harvey has emphasized the need for the series to accurately portray her relationship with Gadd and not sensationalize it for entertainment purposes. She has expressed frustration with the emphasis on the number of emails she sent and believes that she was portrayed unfairly in the show. Despite the controversy surrounding the real-life events that inspired Baby Reindeer, the series has garnered attention for its gripping storyline and emotional performances. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the creators and the real-life individuals involved will address the concerns raised by Harvey and others affected by the show.
