Baby Reindeer is a British TV miniseries that combines dark comedy and psychological drama. It was created by Richard Gadd, who also stars as the main character, Donny Dunn. The series is based on Gadd’s own life and his experiences.
At the end of Baby Reindeer, Donny Dunn is still trapped in the cycle of abuse and struggling to recover from his emotional and psychological trauma. The series concludes with his future uncertain, highlighting the ongoing nature of his struggles.
The miniseries featured talented actors like Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, and Tom Goodman-Hill. Released on Netflix on April 11, 2024, it quickly gained attention for its gripping story, earning nominations for 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Limited Series.
With Richard Gadd set to write and star in the lead role, the series was first announced in December 2020. Clerkenwell Films came on board to produce it, with Weronika Tofilska directing and Josephine Bornebusch joining in March 2023. Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau were cast in August 2022 and March 2023, respectively.
Who played Donny Dunn in Baby Reindeer?
Richard Gadd plays the role of Donny Dunn, a comedian trying to make it big while dealing with deep emotional scars. His character is based on Gadd’s own life, making the story feel personal and raw.
Gadd, a Scottish actor and comedian, is known for his award-winning performances in one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His play, Baby Reindeer, was a hit on stage, leading to its adaptation into this Netflix series.
Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian, works as a bartender in a London pub. One day, he offers tea to a customer named Martha to cheer her up. But things take a dark turn when Martha becomes obsessed with Donny, stalking him online and in person.
Years before this, Donny had another difficult relationship with a TV writer named Darrien O'Connor, who gave him drugs and sexually abused him during drug-induced blackouts. As Donny’s past and present collide, his life spirals out of control.
Why was Donny attracted to Martha?
When Donny meets Martha, he is at a low point in his life, feeling stuck in a dead-end job and far from his dreams. Martha gives him the attention and validation he craves, boosting his ego. But as her obsession grows, Donny finds himself trapped, unable to escape her stalking and manipulation.
Eventually, Donny goes to the police to report Martha for stalking and violence. As a result, she ends up in prison for nine months.
Why does Donny go back to his abuser?
In the series Baby Reindeer, Donny goes back to his abuser, Darrien. This decision highlights the complex psychological effects of abuse, as explained by Richard Gadd in interviews. People who experience abuse often develop emotional attachments to their abusers, feeling like they need them despite the harm they’ve caused.
Gadd wanted to explore these deep-rooted psychological scars and show how abuse impacts a person’s behaviour and mental health.
What is Donny's diagnosis in Baby Reindeer?
Throughout the show, Donny struggles with his identity and confidence, especially after being sexually assaulted by Darrien. Lev, a psychologist, broke it down and said that Donny shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as his behavior reflects the trauma he’s endured.
Lev also suggests that Donny might have Stockholm syndrome, where victims of abuse form emotional bonds with their abusers as a survival mechanism.
When Martha enters Donny’s life, he is already in a fragile state, making him vulnerable to her manipulation. Despite the danger she poses, Donny at times seems to sympathize with or even enjoy the attention from Martha, which makes his situation even more complicated.
Baby Reindeer is available for streaming on Netflix.
