Richard Gadd, the creator and lead star of the Netflix series ‘Baby Reindeer,’ has issued a stark warning to internet sleuths who have made it their mission to track down the ‘real’ Martha Scott and Darrien, the characters portrayed in the show.
The chilling drama series narrates a nightmarish tale about how an act of kindness morphed into a dangerous obsession. Gadd, who portrays Donny in the series, based the character on his personal experiences of being relentlessly pursued by a woman named Martha Scott over three years.
In the show, Donny is groomed and sexually assaulted by Darrien, a successful director, writer, and comedian played by Tom Goodman-Hill. Fans on social media platforms have become obsessed with finding the ‘real life’ Darrien, who they believe looks almost identical to the actor in ‘Baby Reindeer.’
However, Gadd has pleaded with fans to stop their speculation, emphasizing that it’s not the point of the show. He has also expressed concern that people he cares for in the industry have been unfairly targeted as a result of the online search.
Gadd’s play, which inspired the Netflix series, debuted at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival and received rave reviews. It then had a successful stint at London’s Bush theatre. Refusing to be a victim, Gadd chose to tackle his experience head-on by writing the play and series, which include intimate details from his ordeal.
With ‘Baby Reindeer,’ Gadd aimed to depict the ‘human quality’ behind stalking and offer a more realistic portrayal than the standard overly sexualized depictions seen on television. He emphasizes that stalking is a mental illness and that he wanted to show its layers with a human quality that had not been seen before on television.
‘Baby Reindeer’ is available to stream on Netflix. If you have been the victim of sexual assault, resources and help can be found at www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
