Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd Body Language Analysis

Eric Hunley and Gavin Stone reviewed the body language and statement analysis of Fiona Harvey's compelling interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored. Now it’s time to look at Richard Gadd, the creator and star of the Netflix series "Baby Reindeer."
"Baby Reindeer" is a drama based on true events, following comedian Gadd as he navigates the complexities of being stalked by a woman named Martha, while also dealing with his own past traumas and the challenges of his career.
Check out Gavin Stone's channel at @GavinStoneAuthor
************************************************
🙏 Thank you for coming!
Do you enjoy guests like these? Do you want to interact?
🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell You will be alerted when there is new content
👍 Like the video (I deeply appreciate it and it tells KZbin to share)
💬 Comment to keep the conversation going
🔗 Share this with anyone who might enjoy it.
👂Listen to the original podcast (200+ episodes) erichunley.com/
📧Get a weekly email digest of my content sendfox.com/erichunley📧
Would you like to support me and the channel?
🏠 Find me on Locals at unstructured.locals.com/ 🏠
Follow Me on Socials
Twitter / hunleyeric
Gettr gettr.com/user/hunleyeric
Instagram / hunleyeric
💵 Support Me Directly via PayPal paypal.me/erichunley
💵 Venmo @EricHunley
🔐 Bitcoin Address: 33E5YbJ3q3kmWih9mwqqrqELqwkm8L82tj
🔐 Ethereum Address: 0x7D3200a55eB322b129d2C6c2C6FECe07B867dd7a
🐲🐉 Do you like Tea? Check out thedragonstreasure.com/ and use the code “unstructured” to get 10% off [affiliate link] 🐲🐉
This video was live-streamed with Streamyard you can sign up for free at streamyard.com?pal=5141078521937920 (referral link)
************************************************
Tags and keywords discovered by TubeBuddy. Get your own free copy at erichunley.com/tubebuddy (affiliate)
************************************************
Legal Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in this video are for entertainment only and do not reflect this channel's official stance. We don't endorse views or recommendations given. Information shared shouldn't be used as professional advice. Perform your own research and consult professionals before making decisions based on this content. We're not liable for any loss/damage from relying on this information.
#FionaHarvey #BodyLanguageAnalysis #PiersMorganUncensored #NetflixSeries #StatementAnalysis #EricHunley #GavinStone #TrueCrime #MediaAnalysis #PublicPerception #babyreindeer

[@pilgrimpoet]

He's relived some very bad times in his life and done so with compassion. I think guarding gestures make a great deal of sense.

[@Ladyjillybean]

He relived it regularly at the Edinburgh Fringe and other events. So he has had plenty opportunities to speak about it. If he made a comedy sketch about it then it could not have affected him as much as the Netflix series portrays. I agree stalking is terrible but I do not believe he has told the whole truth. Fiona/Martha well she is her own worst enemy. So I don't think we will ever know the whole truth.

[@dillonwalshpvd]

You won’t know the whole truth and the intention never was for you to. Richard and Netflix have both been extremely clear about this. I honestly don’t know what these guys are on about

[@VenusCurtis1]

Netflix are very clever. Watch Baby Reindeer again, from the beginning. When it first starts, you see Donny going into the police station to report Martha for stalking him. The police basically do NOTHING. So he goes home, and starts writing his story/play. The words 'this is a true story' are written by Donny Dunn, as he begins to write down what happens and how it all starts. They are NOT Netflix's words. You even hear the keys tapping as Donny begins to retell the story. At the end of each episode, there's a disclaimer, by Netflix, saying the story was dramatized for entertainment but some of it is true blah blah. THIS is why Netflix have said nothing, nor Richard Gadd. Martha aka Fiona, wasn't charged for what she did to him. She didn't go to prison because Richard Gadd felt sorry for her. He simply moved away so she couldn't find him. That left her to start stalking others... After all of this, Richard Gadd had escaped his tormentor so decided to write the play about her, without using her real name. Netflix got hold of it and hey Presto! Great movie/series idea based on true events but exaggerated for effect. Meanwhile, Netflix have opened their door, dragged Richard Gadd in and closed their door, telling him to stay quiet. They saw Fiona kicking off and basically allowed her to rant and rave to the media, bringing millions of new subscribers while all along, waiting for the crap to hit the fan so they can come out and say 'ha! Got you Fiona....it was all covered in our disclaimer. Thanks very much for the publicity and the millions of dollars we made because you couldn't keep your mouth shut!' The End.

[@MBeano]

Yes, exactly. Though I dont think that is an executive decision. That is a creative writer/director choice. It follows the common style of the "unreliable narrator". The camera zooms in tight to Donny's face right before "this is a true story" appears, and right after the police office asks "Why'd it take you so long to report it?"

[@sarahmayer7026]

Wait, so the alleged "disclaimer" was never really a disclaimer at all? It is part of the story?

[@carronmoreton9385]

Just what I was going to say.

[@MrSinEon]

She was in prison for 4 months acording to fionas nephew

[@NenoJanjane-mn3ux]

​@@MrSinEonas it came to light, he wasn't her true nephew.

[@sarahmayer7026]

The smile is part of his baseline. There are people who smile when they talk about trauma.

[@katanyajason3316]

Yes, like Johnny Depp. Gadd is a comedian so he might, like Depp, use humour and irony to help deal with unpleasant memories.

[@Marguerite475]

Absolutly. I Am one of them.

[@clairehagen6597]

He's also a comedian. I'm pretty sure he makes fun of his misfortunes quite often . It's literally his job.

[@aw-hv9dg]

Gadd’s talking out of both sides of his mouth -he says she’s unwell but subjecting her to this. She’s not media trained at all and who hasn’t sent a bit of hate to our least favourite politicians

[@sarahmayer7026]

@@aw-hv9dg There is a world of difference between sending an occasional angry letter and stalking. Fiona Harvey wanted to do that interview. She decided to go public. She identifies herself as the person the character Martha is based on. Nobody forced her to do any of it. She could have published a short statement saying that she is not "the real Martha", changed her phone number and her social media settings and so on.

[@LooseyGoosey-ws1vb]

He’s a comedian isn’t he? I find that people with a heavy sense of humour like Richard, and those who have a darker sense of humour like he does has the ability to smile while talking about very dark periods of their life. I myself cover my trauma with dark humour, it’s a way for me to mask it. I can ski.e and laugh and even joke about these dark times, it doesn’t mean I’m lying. I dunno maybe is he lying I’m no professional, just my thoughts.

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

Think you're right

[@dillonwalshpvd]

I don’t think these guys are very good at this

[@elberno4243]

If I was depicted as waddling, that'd be enough to call my lawyer 😂😂😂

[@terrywuckfit3393]

I have a slightly different take on the whole Baby Reindeer saga. The stalking is grossly exaggerated, but Gadd used it as the hook for his one man show and consequently as the baseline for the Netflix show. Gadd possibly gathered true stories of stalkers and their victims to add to his own experiences. The real story has been overlooked by mostly everyone. This is probably what Gadd wanted to air publicly. "Donny" was groomed, sexually abused and eventually raped by "Darrien O'Connor". All of the subsequent issues in Donny's life are down to the rape. He even tells his parents about it and his father admits he too was sexually abused. Its interesting how people went for the stalker and not the rapist, does make you wonder why the subject of male rape has been glossed over. But at least Gadd has aired his story and hopefully exorcised his demons.

[@mouselander]

There is no Title Card saying “This is a true story”! And it never appears as a title. The Character Donnie types it - a character can type anything! This is a total nothing burger. Fiona Harvey has no case.

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

Netflix are not daft

[@lucyjaneashton727]

I agree it looks as though Donny is writing it. However on the front image it says Richard gadd is baby reindeer, a captivating true story, before you've even started watching it. It can be seen as confusing. Personally I feel that it's common sense unless it is portrayed as a documentary, that it's going to have fictionalised parts, it is for entertainment on netflix.

[@mouselander]

@@lucyjaneashton727 I think it is a case of “don’t dry your cat in the microwave” 😹 if you don’t take it as obvious, that it is a drama, you are really trying to misunderstand. I really think it is Piers Morgan everyone should be suing, if he never gave this a platform everyone would have forgotten about Fiona by now and not fueled her dillusion - whatever it might be.

[@mouselander]

@@lucyjaneashton727 PS I think Piers Morgan’s involvement is somewhat fueled by transphobia - and don’t believe he and hos team don’t know the truth about this guest. Think giving the stalker a platform!!! this would never have happened if “Martha” was male

[@lucyjaneashton727]

@@mouselander She could have said no, she had choices! Personally I would have removed all social media accounts and lay low. I wouldn't have stalked someone in the first place though 🤣

[@OspreyChick]

Did Netflix state “this is a true story” or did Donny? It only appears at the very beginning of episode 1. Netflix has the usual disclaimer at the end.

[@tracy3418]

The character in the show narrated it. It showed him at the end typing out what happened to him.

[@MikeInHalifax]

They did write it on the screen.

[@jess.of.suburbia]

Exactly!!! When are people going to realise this. It's Donny's "True Story" not Richards.

[@zahimiibrahim3602]

Yes, 'Simply Said' channel on yt discussed this in detail. I'm no lawyer but think Netflix were quite clever in covering themselves.

[@SavageMinnow]

There is something in fiction that we refer to as an "unreliable narrator," where the character will tell you something happened, but we all know as an audience that character is fictional and it isn't necessarily true. Donnie is an unreliable narrator. That's not to say he's lying, but rather he is fictional, and is not the same as Richard. This is a tradition that goes back to Jules Verne's characters telling us the "true story" of flying a rocket to the moon, and probably beyond.

[@elsafralves]

Of course the series is fictionalized. The problem is being "based on a true story"; after all he never suer her in real life and now he is vindicating his harassment on the media thru a series, to me that is not ok. He should have used other characters, maybe not him, another person, maybe not a character that looks like the original "harasser"... etc He is basically not a really creative writer. He should have dealt with his traumas in a different way. I think Fiona, or whoever is the original Martha, should sue Netflix and Richard Gadd.

[@user-yk9qp1fv5f]

Dude I feel the same exact way !

[@ixifarriersrevengeixi6328]

13:00 mins.. or he may have a genuine anxiety that it's a public appearance and she may be in the audience?

[@SunflowerPower22]

I smile sometimes when stressed and recalling traumatic memories. I remember laughing and crying at the same time hysterically when I was told my friend died a couple of hours after giving me a lift home. I couldnt stop laughing my belly hurt and was collapsed on the floor. It was horrific not being able to stop and control my self. She was 18 beautiful full of life I was only 16 and the laughing was shock and trauma.

[@dillonwalshpvd]

I started smiling uncontrollably when my grandfather died. My dad was a smart and compassionate enough dude to tell me that was a normal response that I shouldn’t feel bad or weird about. To this day I smile when I’m nervous and I HATE it when people assume that means I’m guilty of something. No, I’m uncomfortable that you’re grilling me-what am I supposed to do, my best squidward impression? Come on

[@jaxandrusiak7515]

My automatic response to truly horrific, incomprehensible news is an overwhelming need to laugh. It's truly awful. I manage to control it, but wish to god it didn't happen.

[@StarsDie88]

If it was Netflix making the claim "this is a true story" and not the fictional character Donny saying "this is a true story" -- there would be no fictional character named Donny. It would just be Richard.

[@dbencic]

“True story “ = bait and switch / false advertising

[@aw-hv9dg]

It’s nice to hear a more measured and grown up approach from both of you

[@wearequickflix]

She didn't say she was the stalker, she said it was about her but that it wasn't true. Saying she said she was the stalker was enough to tell me this video wasn't worth finishing.

[@jnbg61584]

Telling the public to not find the identities of the characters is the Streisand Effect. People are going to do what they’re going to do

[@EmeraldArcherr]

i disagree that the majority of the success of this show is based on the "true story" claim; i came to it completely blind, as it was on my netflix homepage randomly. i saw the "true story" bit on the title card, but paid no heed-- i've seen a ton of movies that claim to be "true stories" or "based on true stories"-- so i assumed it was a narrative/plot device. it wasn't until after i finished viewing the whole series that i decided to look up whether it was true or not, but the writing, the psychological exploration of gray matter, and the phenomenal acting is why i think it's worth the hype. that, and the "emotional truth," as Gadd's called it, has definitely rung true for me, and i'm sure, for other survivors of sexual assault.

[@mouselander]

Donnie stated “this is a true story” he types it - nowhere did Netflix or Gadd say the series was a true story

[@OspreyChick]

That’s what I think. The episode had already started when that sentence appeared and Donny was telling his story.

[@mouselander]

@@OspreyChick The internet has got this totally wrong - I think Gadd should sue them all 😹

[@OspreyChick]

@@mouselander I’m not sure about suing, but it should certainly be pointed out. The colour of the letters, everything points to it being Donny not Gadd nor Netflix but its popularity and the surrounding buzz is based on people believing it’s all pure truth and it’s not the only show that people think is pure truth without any dramatisation

[@karenmccabe2167]

​@@mouselander I think so, too. I don't think he will, but he should.

[@jamesesparza6893]

@@OspreyChick just like the producers of said shows actually want to keep hype up for their product, they are no innocent angels.

[@jeffjeff4477]

Eric You have a great delivery and I ve been enjoying AUS and now your channel. My go to for listening. Im ready for some Elvis segment, he has so many wild stories and incidents around his life. Have a good one Jeff Cocoa Beach FL

[@cindyszyszkiewicz4786]

Sometimes I shake my head in a "no" when telling about an event I can't believe happened to me. That can be taken into consideration. Same with self soothing.

[@OspreyChick]

This Morning is live, so his interview with them was not edited.

[@SavageMinnow]

It is filmed live, in front of an audience, but it is edited before it airs. Martin Frizell is the editor.

[@OspreyChick]

@@SavageMinnow oh, I didn’t realise that. I just through it was aired live.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

This conversation is getting ridiculous. “This is a true story” is a story-telling device. You literally see Donny typing out the first line of episode 1 in episode 7. It’s Donny’s true story. And as for Richard’s story, there’s a disclaimer in the credits that states elements have been fictionalized. We’ve got to get better at media literacy, as a society. Picking apart the body language of a crime victim is so distasteful. Over what? The rantings of a credibly accused serial stalker? Cool cool cool.

[@Seeker0fTruth]

AGREEEEEEEEE 💯

[@anakom003]

PERIOD.

[@dillonwalshpvd]

Who are these guys? And yeah this is pretty gross

[@SleepyKwee]

I find that with any story, there's Person A's side, Person B's side and then the true story. So I find it highly likely that he bent the truth a little, everyone does when they're telling a story from their past to make it more interesting. Finally, I find Richard Gadd to be slightly...narcissistic, so I feel like he would have left out key parts, I think he led her on far more than he makes out and that he exploited her more than he makes out - and not just her, he exploited Teri also.

[@jorudd6201]

Missed this, Reading Gavins Book. Cold Read like a Spy.❤ uk.

[@karenmccabe2167]

Ughh, what exactly is their duty to protect a real persons identity? The Internet sleuths are going to dig up whatever they can. Is Netflix supposed to be responsible to make sure every trace of the real person is taken down? That seems unrealistic. Fiona herself seems to think that the actress was not an accurate representation of her looks, lol. This just all seems over the top. Fargo also starts with "this is a true story" !

[@dillonwalshpvd]

For real, if Fargo had come out in 2024 would people be looking for newspaper clippings on a Minnesota woodchipper murder (that somehow didn’t make any national headlines?). I want to say no, but I know it’s yes

[@VenusCurtis1]

Convicted doesn't mean going to prison. It means the person was found guilty of a crime. We don't know whether Fiona has injunctions against her (yet) but if it turns out she does, then Benjamin King's words are true. To get an injunction, it has to go before a court of law. Which is the only way an injunction then becomes legal papers to stop someone committing a similar crime.

[@jewelssunsun9450]

She had an injunction taken out on her in 2002 by Laura Wray.

[@inteldebrief]

Great stuff! Now I am wondering about this guy Dr. Ammon Hillman that appeared on Danny Jones the other day. Very very interesting individual.

[@gorjessmama]

I went through crazy stuff with my ex and whenever I go to tell people about it, I smile. When I do it, I'm thinking about how crazy it's going to sound and now I can laugh about it.

[@MBeano]

The smile: Others have mentioned it may be baseline. Additionally, on the show his characterter is portrayed as someone who did indeed enjoy the attention at times. The smile could be memories of those feelings. Also, it could easily be a sort of chuckle at yourself. I KNOW I have done that when remembering an awful situation/experience or action. So the smile could easily be from an honest reaction to how you were, in a certain moment, much like a shaking of the head - which happened almost together. Hunley brings up that embarrassment aspect, which is in line with this. Stone doubles down. However, this goes back to ONLY seeing this through a narrow perspective. Whereas the show portrayed mixed emtions, confusion and characters who both play a part. Even in the rape, the main character is portrayed as having enjoyed aspects of this situation up to the rape. It doesn't justify rape. It just portrays the main character's needs, desires and shortcomings at the time. The analyst talks about congruency, but that smile is actually very congruent with the character portrayal on the show. The ending of the series solidifies this. His character could not let it go, even if it was just for closure, it implied he still had impulses and satisfaction from it. Whether that is part of trauma, I dont know. Regardless, It was portrayed in the series.

[@katanyajason3316]

If you watched Johnny Depp during his trial you will have noticed that he smiles whenever there is mention of traumatic memories. It's a sort of wry smile, and it can be (like many comedians do) a way of facing these memories and feelings.

[@marytyler7066]

He never got her permission to write her story. Who cares about anything else? Who cares what happened to him and if she's crazy? He exploited her and abused her publicly and now everyone thinks she's the bad guy. She stalked him? Maybe. He encouraged her? Possibly, needing all of that drug-withdrawal attention. They are both deranged and psychotic in their own ways? For sure. But HE is the one who RIPPED HER OFF by making millions putting their dirty laundry on the bar. He OWES her MONEY and ALOT of it. Pay up Richard Reindeer, you exploited her and made everyone believe you were clever. Now we find out you just took your own life, threw in a bunch of crap, and has deranged her entire life publicly forever. PAY UP.

[@elizabethborson1739]

I really liked the series, Little Reindeer. It also could have been titled, A Little Weird. I liked it as a story because it wasn’t filmed as a documentary. I wouldn’t connect the real Martha as having done all of this. It made for good theater and not all of it was true.

[@leedevitt4528]

Fiona Harvey's behaviour over DECADES and towards several people indicates a pattern of relentless stalking via email and social media. Richard and the MPs family are not her only victims. This stalking and harassing is just what she does and sp far shes gotten away with it. Imagine what we DONT know and imagine dealing with her on a day to day basis. I agree that she has mental health issues and maybe it's time she's forced to address them. She does cause harm to others.

[@debbieparnell7582]

Being ADHD and Autistic I hate body language analysis for its total failure to recognise our differences in communication and making ableist assumptions based on our differences.... Anyway, Richard Gadd does not seem neurotypical the 'nervous movements' are more likely the additional energy we get and 'stimming' to self-regulate... Yeah - it ties a little to nerves but it's mostly hyperactivity. We are also more prone to looking away to help collect our thoughts. What he said about empathising too much is a very neurodivergent trait.

[@DebbieLeighDriver]

Could this just come down to the greatest pr stunt of all time?! :D

[@mat-ym8gi]

He's a narc It isn't a stunt

[@Nat_Ash_A]

I think Gadd told Netflix that it was a true story and showed them some of the emails etc as proof. Gadd and Netflix promoted the show as a true story, then Gadd went on to change it to based on a true story in interviews. Telling Netflix it was a true story was the best opportunity for Gadd to sell the series and it worked. He was already on the comedy circuit reenacting the show as a true story before Netflix came on the scene. It would be good to compare the original stage show to the polished version on Netflix.

[@rubylerouge]

Theres a video on stalking in relation to baby reindeer. She says there are four types of stalker and although its not unheard of for a stalker to exhibit behaviours from two types, Martha exhibits behaviours from all four types which she seems to feel is unlikely. It seems likely to me that Richard Gadd did some research (he belongs to that charity) and has embellished his experiences with the experiences of others for the the drama. I remember thinking how like Steven King's Misery it seemed when I first wat,hed it.

[@gorjessmama]

I'm just going to say that 1.4% of reported stalkers in the UK are convicted. So, if she did everything else but was part of the 98% that didn't get convicted, would that really change anything in people's eyes? If anything, we should be demanding she gets convicted. Also, records are protected by the Human Rights Act which means the courts have to approve them being released! & it's unlikely they'll release them to the media. This video was not it.

[@HanChap2]

👏👏👏👏 exactly! Literally, every thing you said is spot on. It was ME and MY children who were moved into a refuge because of my stalker. We lost everything. Our home, I lost my career (I need to be on a public register so can be tracked down), I shut down social media, changed phone numbers several times, had to close my email account and make a new one and we now live with new names and no one around us that we know. We can't even maintain contact with many people in case we are found. My stalker is carrying on with life with no disruptions or consequences. Oh, and to back up what you said about human rights and disclosure of crimes etc. the moment I tried to back away from my stalker and said I wasn't interested, it ramped up ten fold with the craziness and nastiness. So I requested a Clare:s law, which came back incredibly quickly! Along with lock smiths and people to put locks on my windows and police officers talking toy neighbours and having us put on cocoon watch. And although they disclosed he was a dangerous and known stalker and they were keeping me safe until they could move us to a refuge, I was only told what was relevant to stalking and I am NEVER allowed to say what they told me as it's a breach of his human rights. I could get arrested if I ever exposed what I know about my stalker.

[@HanChap2]

Disagree with a lot of what you have said. Where did you train? When my brother was told our baby sister had died. He laughed. It's a reaction. When i tell people about the insanity of my stalker (and i was moved into a women's refuge and had my name changed for safety) i often laugh because it literally sounds insane and far fetched. I often laugh and tell people it's like somethjng you see on tv in a thriller because what happened sounds so far fetched. My stalker bugged my house! He knew where i was, who i was talking to, what i said, who was in my house and that was just the tame bits. And i nervous smile at inappropriate times too. I'm genuinely puzzled by some of your comments.

[@sow1084]

19:00 I think he was thinking in what he was going to say next...

[@JoTracy]

It's a drama!!! Not a documentary!

[@jamesesparza6893]

its real peoples lives.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

Say it louder.

[@rosebeanvalentine7725]

Exactly. Thank you for pointing this out.

[@leedevitt4528]

It's a drama based on real events and fictionalised at various points. It does tell Richards real experiences and the very fact that Fiona Harvey has stepped forward to identify herself as Martha would indicate that there is some truth to it. Fionas interview with Piers and the aftermath of the series is real though. Richard says very clearly in this video "yes, it is a true story, I was stalked for years".

[@elberno4243]

If its a fictional drama, not a documentary reenactment, Why is it listed under "Docu-series"?

[@lucyjaneashton727]

I feel like sometimes, you would need to take into consideration, that there are things they have been told not to outright say. Have been advised not to, so then you'd have to make sure you remember to change what youre about to say

[@dinglbarry1275]

Because of all the hype on this and the body language stuff I checked out the show and it's amazing how much more people will like something if it says it's based on or claims to be a true event (for me this has always had the opposite effect because I know just how bupkus they are). It's a very mediocre show/tv series. I've already known this over the years, how an average show/movie goes from being a mediocre movie/show to getting nominated for academy awards on the sole basis that it's based on a true event.

[@mat-ym8gi]

I think gadd is an expert at conscious and unconscious reframing.

[@JerriSimmons-vc1jp]

Heck yeah, brother, holy crap, you said it so well, you got me pumped up. Thanks dude! 😁

[@kevinjohnson620]

Eric , just paint the back of the door black , then the sheet is obsolete.

[@user-is4gb2jf1x]

I think some of this happened however, I do think events have been embellished for entertainment and attention reasons. I do feel Fiona was envolved- probably. Did she mean harm-I don’t think so. She liked him and wanted attention from him. Did he flirt with her? Lead her on? Give her attention that she mistook as affection? Possibly. Not defending her actions at all- not cool. She should not have been identified without her permission. Both of their lives will now be affected. His for her stalking- he chose to bring this into the limelight- she has now been thrust into the limelight for something I’m sure she is quite embarrassed about and wished she hadn’t done.

[@bethanp3453]

He's a very unlikeable person and hes not the first person to tell a tale of woe to the world to make money. Far from it in this day and age. It seems its so common place in reality tv shows and the like that society has become desensitised to how strange that behaviour alone is for a victim. The contents of the series aside, fame and fortune isnt typically a victims primary concern. Justice is. Maybe compensation through the legal system but not selling the trauma as a product to the masses. There isn't really evidence that Gadd has sought justice. Which is strange. Even suspending disbelief enough to accept that the scene where he attempted to report the stalking and a police desk clerk wasn't helpful (not beyond the realms of possibility). So what? If youre being stalked you try again, and again, and again because that is your only hope out of your ordeal. You dont go home and leap into the mindset of, how can I profit from this? He is what the lay people might call 'a sketchy so-and-so'. That in itself is not an offence, but Netflix should be aware of potential grifters. They might well be liable. People talk about the idea that it was the character not the creator (of which the lines are unusually blurred anyway) who stated it was 'true'. Netflix should know better. It doesn't matter if an IOU is written on formal letterhead paper or signed on a napkin. Its an IOU. The audience was told, 'this is a true story' in large, clear font at the beginning and then told it wasn't in tiny easy to miss smallprint when the show was done. Thats misleading. A broadcaster should not present an audience with a deceptive, damaging product and thinks thats ok because the audience should be shrewd and eagle-eyed enough to wait until the credits have all rolled to check for legal smallprint. No. They intentionally misled their audience, and if that was the only error in duty of care towards the muses of this fiction it might be forgiven but its not. Netflix has now set a precedent that if someone has an issue with someone else and perhaps both parties have done bad things to each other, then one party can submit a piece of fiction to a network for global distribution without safeguarding measures, playing fast and loose with real events and say whatever they want about the other person. under the guise of, 'its not me, its my stage persona', without any opportunity to retort or deny claims, or seek legal council prior to publication. Dont make any enemies because this is now allowed to happen thanks to these new standards. I don't like Fiona Harvey. I think she probably has stalked people. At the very least shes a pushy, bullish type, but whether she is a stalker is determined by legal specifications based on several things. Not just one self-proclaimed victim's passive-aggressive, money-making public account. Did Gadd ever ask her to stop contacting him? Thats an important question that we don't know the answer to. If he did and she ignored it then that is strong evidence to support his claim. If not then technically she could just be a socially inept, overly familiar annoyance. He certainly had reason to keep her around because apparently she was providing him with a lot of material for his act. Thats why this needed and still needs legal intervention. Which it hasnt had and Gadd seems fine with that. Which is a strange stance for a victim of all these alleged criminal acts. The whole thing really is so calculated, underhand and sneaky. It should be staring people in the face. We shouldnt need body language experts and statement analysts to tell us there's room for doubt here. More importantly, nor should Netflix.

[@willwetherington]

He didn't write it. Fiona wrote in her sleep, remember? Lol

[@great-garden-watch]

I just don’t get any of this. Her name was not used.

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

Loads of clues given

[@MichAndo2712]

Yeah and neither was any of the characters. I thought this fact alone made it blatantly obvious that it was a fictionalised drama based on a series of events that happened to the author.

[@super60sand70s]

Gad should have changed the story more in order to protect the person who stalked him. She is. not just mentally ill, but unstable. When the public can figure out who the real villain is, Gad failed in his telling of this story. He used her.

[@mermaidofdreams]

Well he did. According to Fiona she never sent thousands of emails, 100s of tweets or voicemails, never stalked his parents, SA Gad, assaulted his trans girlfriend and never went to prison. So it’s fictional but Fiona doesn’t like the fictionalised parts as it’s makes her more worse than just stalking alone Or it did happen and she’s lying as it’s paints an awful picture except the prison part which isn’t public record

[@Ladyjillybean]

He relived it regularly at the Edinburgh Fringe and other events. So he has had plenty opportunities to speak about it. If he made a comedy sketch about it then it could not have affected him as much as the Netflix series portrays. I agree stalking is terrible but I do not believe he has told the whole truth. Fiona/Martha well she is her own worst enemy. So I don't think we will ever know the whole truth.

[@hellemarc4767]

Have you watched the series? Because if he went through an ordeal, the stalking seems to have been the lesser of two evils, given the horrific s*xual abuse he suffered from this writer over what seemed to be a longer period of time. Not that stalking isn't bad, but that's not the worst part of the whole story, from what I saw. In the first interview (in the gray suit) he's also leaning away from the actress who plays Martha. I wonder if he's not in denial about the s*xual abuse, but embellishes the stalking in order to replace the abuse with it, sort of. As if he wanted to tell himself that the abuse never happened, all the symptoms of PTSD he might have were to blame on the stalking. I don't trust him, there's something about him I don't like at all.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

He was talking about his abuse and processing it in stage shows while he was being actively stalked. He’s been in therapy over it for years and years. He’s not in denial about it.

[@sarahmayer7026]

It is "easier" to talk about being stalked than about s. abuse.

[@DHorse]

It was true based on a story.....

[@mereteaasland6663]

I didnt understand until after I saw it and all the drama started that they meant it was a spot on true story. I thought it was Donnys true story, the caracter in the show! And that is not the same as netflix and Gadd presenting as a totally real story based on only facts from his life.

[@MikeInHalifax]

He looks a bit like Elliot Page

[@sophieb24]

It's partially true but abit exaggerated for entertainment as most true life stories

[@mat-ym8gi]

Half truths are manipulations. He's a con man and a narc

[@ixifarriersrevengeixi6328]

I'm no lawyer... but if it's a true story, wouldn't she have to prove her name is Marther, if not the only way out of that is to quote the end credits .......

[@cygnusrays]

The play was 'inspired' by his life (the meltdown on stage scene in the series didn't happen) and gave him the profile he's been seeking. He's an artist who used his personal experience, and has been either irresponsible or malicious in allowing Martha to be identified. If she was never convicteed, then this seems to me like his 'revenge porn'.

[@williamfields4534]

If Netflix had used an attractive, polite actress the story wouldn’t have been believable. Also, Harvey did post the messages. The only issue I see is the prison sentence. It’s tougher in Britain to access the trial record. Difficult to believe that Netflix attorneys failed to vet Gadd’s story. They had British lawyers who gave the ok.

[@angelabuchan9872]

Thry have already said its not about just one person. Doesnt mean shes convicted for what she did to gadd. I found the story to carey alot of empathy even though she was abusive. Its possible that gadd was with someone that went to jail for stalking and it wasnt her. The actress looking like her abit might be to help relive the moment for the acting. Based on abuse from her but hey, if shes not wearing the same color shirt from that day its inaccurate??

[@joeman7547]

(Urgent Warning) Elvis Presley's twin brother Jessie Presley the "First Born Male Child" is"NOT" buried at Graceland with the Presley family members, the reason being they cannot find the body or the Grave of Jessie Presley, Jessie Presley will be one of the Great Signs from heaven spoken of in the book of (St.luke 21;11)"And Great Signs shall there be from Heaven", These Great Biblical signs will take place in the city of San Luis Obispo, California. The Whole world will be Watching, all media's will focus on this Great Biblical event.

[@jjb6799]

More cringe victim blaming

[@diwurld]

I totally disagree that this wouldn’t have been a success if it wasn’t a true story. The series is brilliantly written and executed plus the acting is outstanding.

[@VicEiland]

I disagree. Just because the internet sleuths discovered her "easily" doesn't matter. They had to go out of their way to identify her. I don't believe the average Netflix watcher could have watched it and immediately thought, "That's Fiona Harvey." The sleuths outed her, they should be liable in public opinion. At the moment, I don't feel that the show is responsible for extra research the public did. If it proves that she was never convicted and Netflix defended that in parliament, then that would be the only real act I feel they should be held liable for. Everything else, seems fair game.

[@skipfluck4299]

Well they can’t find any record of the woman being arrested or in prison or parole. So ya it’s looking like we are seeing a lie.

[@SavageMinnow]

Who can't? Those aren't just accessible to the public like they are in the states. You need a reason to submit a FOIA claim, and "cuz I'm curious" isn't a reason. Unless you're her legal counsel or law enforcement, no one can get those records.

[@skipfluck4299]

@@SavageMinnow Well she is taking legal action, so we will know soon enough.

[@sarahmayer7026]

It is not a lie. It is a drama based on Gadd's experiences with a stalker. He has no obligation to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth". He took agency and made it his story. Yet, everyone is now focusing on the stalker, the one in real life.

[@skipfluck4299]

@@sarahmayer7026 Guess what Netflix had the obligation to be factual when they said a true story. If even one thing is untrue, they have committed slander. Netflix’s should have just called it a drama and left it at that.

[@sarahmayer7026]

From what I understand, there is no disclaimer saying that it is a true story. That sentence is part of the story, written by the main character of a drama series. I do not understand the commotion.

[@WOELS1807]

I reckon stalking is illegal and adding emails etc. - I am sorry... don't cry when you step over the line and it is exposed. Sje shouldn't have stalked him IMO.

[@dillonwalshpvd]

It was literally never portrayed as a 100% true story, by anyone. Your hypothesis is broken from the jump. Even if it weren’t it doesn’t seem like you guys are very good at this

[@WOELS1807]

He said 'BASED in truth' and NOT that it THE truth.

He takes 100% responsibility. Fiona 0% That’s enough for me.