In the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer, we go on a ride inspired by the real life of Scottish comedian Richard Gadd. The series brings to light the dynamic between Gadd's character, Donny Dunn, and his stalker, Martha. The story is drawn from Gadd's own somewhat uneasy encounters with stalking and past trauma.
This series isn't just about some creepily obsessive woman chasing a guy; it plunges into feelings of guilt, shame, and gray areas of right and wrong. Finally, thanks to the story told by Gadd, we get to see who the Baby Reindeer is modeled after. There's Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, based on a real-life woman who'd been stalking him over four years ago.
It's not as if Gadd is merely recounting his tale; in fact, he looks back more into how he went wrong, digging into how people connect, and through this, shows how small acts can lead to serious consequences.
Richard Gadd's real-life stalking and trauma, as seen on Baby Reindeer
Richard Gadd's journey with Baby Reindeer started from a humble beginning, offering Martha a cup of tea at the bar where he worked. Little did he know that this would blossom into a maddening obsession that would drive his life.
In 2019, Gadd told The Times:
“At first everyone at the pub thought it was funny that I had an admirer.”
He added:
“Then she started to invade my life, following me, turning up at my gigs, waiting outside my house, sending thousands of voicemails and emails.”
Then there's Martha, who, believing she is falling in love with Gadd, becomes obsessed. Her mania spills into the lives of people close to him, much like Gadd's girlfriend, Teri, played by Nava Mau.
In his interview with The Independent, Gadd spoke about his experiences trying to get legal help, as harassment laws presented a few roadblocks.
“You can really affect someone’s life within the parameters of legality, and that is sort of mad,” Gadd said.
Gadd owned up to instances where he fueled the situation, including flirting back or making excuses rather than simply stepping in to stop Martha. He said he wasn't perfect either, so there's no need to pretend he was, he recalled to The Guardian in 2019.
The power of Baby Reindeer is beyond the stalker story
What the show has dabbled in mainly is Martha's creepy obsession, but with Baby Reindeer, it goes even further into Gadd's hidden trauma. Episode 4 digs a hole when Gadd tells his story of s*xual assault by an influential figure in the entertainment world, referred to here as "Darrien".
Gadd described this episode as the most challenging part of the story. In an interview with Netflix's Tudum on August 16, 2024, Gadd spoke of how hard it was going back into memories. He added a voiceover that he considers powerful to show the emotion, which he deems fundamental to the plot.
The darker side of the plot further unpacks Gadd's character and affords the space to maneuver its themes around trauma, shame, and inner struggles. This openness sets Baby Reindeer apart from other stalking dramas.
He mentioned in The Guardian:
“This was a messy, complicated situation. But one that needed to be told, regardless.”
Critics loved Baby Reindeer, especially about Gunning's take on Martha. She even got an Emmy nomination for the role, with people digging into how she balanced Martha's creepy yet relatable side. Gadd pointed out on Netflix's Skip Intro that the show relied on Martha being both scary and, at times, sweet and understanding.
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This true-story limited series, Baby Reindeer, is available in seven parts on Netflix.
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