Woman claims to be Martha, tells Piers Morgan 'Baby Reindeer' is hyperbole

Scotswoman Fiona Harvey claims to be basis for "Baby Reindeer" stalker, threatens to sue Netflix and creator Richard Gadd.

Fiona Harvey, a 58-year-old woman from Scotland, recently claimed in an interview with Piers Morgan that she is the real-life inspiration behind the deranged stalker character in Richard Gadd's Netflix series "Baby Reindeer." The series, which claims to be based on a true story, quickly gained popularity after its release.

During the interview on "Piers Morgan Uncensored," Harvey expressed her belief that Gadd had always intended to expose her and persecute her through the show. She even threatened to sue both Netflix and Gadd for defamation, accusing him of having severe psychiatric issues. Despite these claims, neither Netflix nor Gadd responded to requests for comments from The Times.

The miniseries follows the story of Donny, played by Gadd, an aspiring comedian who encounters Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, at the London pub where he works. Martha's obsessive behavior towards Donny leads to a series of disturbing actions, including showing up at his home, contacting his parents, and groping him without consent.

Harvey's assertion that she is the real-life Martha was supported by online sleuths who linked her social media posts to the character in the show. She admitted to knowing Gadd from his bartending days and claimed to have reached out to him in the past, but denied the excessive level of contact depicted in the series.

Throughout the interview, Harvey maintained that the series is a work of fiction and accused Gadd and Netflix of lying. Despite not having watched the show herself, she claimed that the portrayal of her character had exposed her to harassment and death threats.

Harvey criticized Gadd, Gunning, and Netflix for capitalizing on the controversy surrounding the series for financial gain. She urged them to leave her alone and find more meaningful pursuits.

Overall, the interview with Fiona Harvey sheds light on the complexities of the entertainment industry and the blurred lines between reality and fiction in storytelling. It raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of creators when depicting real-life events and individuals in their work.