Netflix viewers have gone into meltdown after discovering a new thriller based on a true and terrifying stalking tale.
Scottish comedian Richard Gadd retells the traumatic experience of being stalked for years in the tense mini-series – Baby Reindeer.
After offering a woman a free cup of tea at the pub where he pulled pints, Gadd was flooded with 40,000 emails, 740 tweets and a staggering 350 worth of voicemails as well as hundreds of letters, in a harassment case that spanned over five years.
Despite telling police, there was unfortunately not much they could do because the unwelcome communication was not ‘obviously’ threatening.
Using his trauma, Gadd created a play called Baby Reindeer – a nickname his stalker had given him which has now been transformed into the haunting Netflix series.
Scottish comedian Richard Gadd has transformed his own terrifying stalking experience into a new haunting mini series on Netflix called Baby Reindeer (Richard Gadd as Donny, pictured)
Martha, who is based on Gadd’s stalker, becomes enthralled with actor-writer Donny after he offers her a free cup of tea at the pub where he works (Jessica Gunning as Martha, pictured)
Reframing his own dreadful experience, the hair-raising show centres around the life of comedian hopeful Donny (Richard Gadd) who is being harassed by Martha (Jessica Gunning).
Mirroring Gadd’s tale, Martha becomes obsessed with the actor-writer after he gives her a free cup of tea in the boozer.
Initially Donny appreciated the attention from Martha – and even sometimes flirted back.
However as the stalker begins to cross boundaries as we see their friendly encounter turn into a terrifying tale, unearthing Donny’s past trauma of sexual abuse.
‘Stalking on television tends to be very sexed-up,’ Gadd told Netflix.
‘It has a mystique. It’s somebody in a dark alley way. It’s somebody who’s really sexy, who’s very normal, but then they go strange bit by bit.
‘But stalking is a mental illness. I really wanted to show the layers of stalking with a human quality I hadn’t seen on television before.’
The real-life Martha is now required by law not to approach Gadd or any of his friends or family.
Netflix fans have been blown away by how the Scottish comedian has managed to retell his trauma in the harrowing story, with several labelling it a ‘masterpiece’.
Although their encounter initially begins as a friendly chat, Martha crosses several boundaries unearthing Donny’s past trauma
The title of the haunting mini-series based on Gadd’s true story comes from the nickname his own stalker gave the actor
Netflix fans have flooded social media timelines with rave reviews about the gripping mini-series, branding it as ‘utterly gripping’
‘Baby Reindeer is insane but the fact that 1) it’s a true story 2) the main actor is the actual victim of the true story in real life makes it that much CRAZIER.’
‘Binged all of Baby Reindeer on Netflix yesterday and it’s just completely incredible.
‘Goes from funny, weird & creepy, all the way to being genuinely harrowing. not an easy watch but feels like a really important one.’
‘My Goodness #BabyReindeer on Netflix is bleak but brilliant. Black humour and so much more than a stalking story.
‘A powerful study into trauma, abuse & mental health. Incredible writing, performances & production. Not an easy watch at times but utterly gripping.’
‘An honour to have been across the mix of Baby Reindeer, it’s a true masterpiece.’
‘Richard Gadd is brilliant in Baby Reindeer! If you haven’t seen it on Netflix you have too!!!! It’s absolutely mind blowing!’
Wow ‘Baby Reindeer’ is one of the most powerful shows I’ve ever watched and to know it’s true is just heartbreaking. So glad he told his story ❤️
‘Baby Reindeer on Netflix…..one of the best things I’ve seen in a while. Highly recommend.’
‘Baby reindeer was a 10/10 had me crying so hard.’
Gadd said: ‘Stalking is a mental illness. I really wanted to show the layers of stalking with a human quality I hadn’t seen on television before’
The real life Martha is now required by law not to approach the actor or any of his family or friends (Jessica Gunning as Martha, pictured)
