Fiona Harvey, 58, has alleged that Netflix has ruined her life and spread “brutal lies” about her. In response, the streaming giant has announced that it plans to “vigorously” defend against these claims. The woman who claims to be the inspiration for the stalker character in the popular Netflix series “Baby Reindeer” is suing the streaming service for $170 million (£133 million).
The series is reportedly based on the true experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who portrays himself dealing with a stalker named Martha Scott. Fiona claims she is the real-life inspiration for Martha, the character who starts stalking Richard Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea at the pub where he works.
In her lawsuit, Ms. Harvey accuses Netflix of spreading “brutal lies,” including the false claim that she is a “twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison.”
“Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money,” it states.
“As a result of defendants’ lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey’s life had been ruined.”
According to court documents filed in a California federal court, she accuses Netflix of defamation, causing intentional emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence, and violating her right of publicity.
In a recent interview with journalist Piers Morgan, Fiona Harvey said she felt “forced” to come forward after receiving online death threats from “internet sleuths.” Harvey consistently denied being a stalker and labeled the series as “a work of fiction.”
The lawsuit is seeking $50 million (£39 million) each in actual and compensatory damages, $20 million (£16 million) in punitive damages, and an additional $50 million (£39 million) representing “all profits” from the series Baby Reindeer.
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