RPJ Partner Nicole Page Authors Forbes Article, “Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer’ Prances Its Way Into Court On Defamation Claims”

By Nicole Page

In her newest article for Forbes, RPJ Partner Nicole Page discusses the legal challenges faced by Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer,” a show that has gained significant acclaim but is now embroiled in a defamation lawsuit.  The show, based on Richard Gadd’s autobiographical stage play, claims to be a true story, which has led to public backlash and identification of a real-life individual, Fiona Harvey, as the show’s antagonist, Martha Scott.

Harvey has filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix, alleging defamation and emotional distress, arguing that her portrayal in the series is a serious misrepresentation and has led to harassment.  Despite Netflix’s efforts to dismiss the lawsuit by claiming the series is a dramatization and not directly about real people, a judge denied their motion, emphasizing the impact of the “true story” tagline on audience perceptions.

The article highlights the broader implications for nonfiction filmmaking, stressing the importance of accurate representation and the risks of claiming narratives as true when they may not be.  The case is set for trial in 2025, potentially reshaping how filmmakers approach the portrayal of real-life events and individuals.

Read the full article here.

This article is intended as a general discussion of these issues only and is not to be considered legal advice or relied upon. For more information, please contact RPJ Partner Nicole Page who counsels clients in areas of entertainment, employment and intellectual property. Ms. Page is admitted to practice law in New York and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.