Current:Home > NewsFiona Harvey files $170M lawsuit against Netflix for alleged 'Baby Reindeer' portrayal-LoTradeCoin
Fiona Harvey files $170M lawsuit against Netflix for alleged 'Baby Reindeer' portrayal
lotradecoin security features comparison View Date:2024-12-25 12:34:23
Netflix was sued on Thursday for at least $170 million by a Scottish woman who said she was defamed over her portrayal as a stalker in the hit mini-series "Baby Reindeer."
The plaintiff Fiona Harvey has publicly claimed to be the inspiration behind the character Martha, played by actress Jessica Gunning, who shares a physical resemblance and like her is a lawyer in London.
But in a complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court, Harvey said Netflix and "Baby Reindeer" creator Richard Gadd went too far by suggesting through the show, which calls itself a "true story," that she was a twice-convicted stalker who had been sentenced to five years in prison.
What to know about 'Baby Reindeer':Yes, Netflix dramedy is about real people. Inside Richard Gadd's true story
Harvey denied having stalked Gadd, who on the show plays a fictional version of himself named Donny Dunn, or having been convicted or imprisoned.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
But she said many people couldn't tell the difference, and thousands of Reddit and TikTok users talk about her as the "real" Martha.
"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," the complaint said.
Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
'Baby Reindeer':Netflix series shines light on complicated aspects of sexual abuse
The lawsuit seeks at least $50 million each for actual damages, compensatory damages including mental anguish, and profits, plus at least $20 million of punitive damages.
Harvey sued two days after Netflix settled a defamation lawsuit by former prosecutor Linda Fairstein over her portrayal in "When They See Us," a 2019 series about the Central Park Five rape case three decades earlier.
Netflix agreed to move a disclaimer that some characters may have been altered for dramatic purposes to the start of episodes from the closing credits. It also agreed to donate $1 million to a nonprofit that helps free wrongfully convicted people.
veryGood! (64255)
Related
- Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
- Women's World Cup 2023: Meet the Players Competing for Team USA
- Barbie Director Greta Gerwig Reveals If a Sequel Is Happening
- Rudy Giuliani is not disputing that he made false statements about Georgia election workers
- Save 30% on the Perfect Spongelle Holiday Gifts That Make Every Day a Spa Day
- The heat island effect traps cities in domes of extreme temperatures. Experts only expect it to get worse.
- Tommy Tuberville, Joe Manchin introduce legislation to address NIL in college athletics
- Booksellers seek to block Texas book ban on sexual content ratings in federal lawsuit
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a new way to play—try one month for just $1
Ranking
- Save 30% on the Perfect Spongelle Holiday Gifts That Make Every Day a Spa Day
- Police end search of Gilgo Beach murder suspect's home after seizing massive amount of material
- We Ranked All of Sandra Bullock's Rom-Coms and Yes, It Was Very Hard to Do
- Federal lawsuit seeks to block Texas book ban over sexual content ratings
- We can't get excited about 'Kraven the Hunter.' Don't blame superhero fatigue.
- Wrestling Champion Hulk Hogan Engaged to Girlfriend Sky Daily
- The biggest big-box store yet? Fresno Costco business center will be company's largest store
- Cigna health giant accused of improperly rejecting thousands of patient claims using an algorithm
Recommendation
-
Supreme Court allows investors’ class action to proceed against microchip company Nvidia
-
Biden to forgive $130 million in debt for CollegeAmerica students
-
Wrexham striker Paul Mullin injured in collision with Manchester United goalie Nathan Bishop
-
Vermont-based Phish to play 2 shows to benefit flood recovery efforts
-
One Tech Tip: How to protect your communications through encryption
-
'Astonishing violence': As Americans battle over Black history, Biden honors Emmett Till
-
This CDC data shows where rates of heat-related illness are highest
-
Attorney for ex-student charged in California stabbing deaths says he’s not mentally fit for trial