A chartered psychologist has offered a theory to a baffling part in Netflix smash hit, Baby Reindeer.
The series, based on a true story by writer and lead actor Richard Gadd, follows Donny Dunn (Richard) and his relationship with stalker ‘Martha’ (Jessica Gunning).
In the show, Dunny is bombarded with thousands of emails from his stalker, yet viewers were baffled by the fact everyone finished with the sign off ‘sent from iPhone’, despite being sent from a desktop computer.
Addressing the bizarre aspect, psychologist Dannielle Haig told LADbible: ‘The sign-off is less about the actual device and more about what it represents: a sense of belonging to a professional class and a world where she was respected and successful. It is an attempt to project an image of stability and normalcy in contrast to her current life.
‘Signing off her emails with “Sent from my iPhone” despite not owning one may serve as a symbolic link to her former status.’
A psychologist has weighed in on why Baby Reindeer’s Martha (Jessica Gunning) signed off every email ‘sent from my iPhone’ despite not owning the smartphone
In the show, Dunny is bombarded with thousands of emails from his stalker, yet viewers were baffled by the sign off
She added: ‘This small but deliberate act of deception may reflect her deep-seated need to preserve her previous identity, which has been shattered by her imprisonment.’
Jessica – who played Martha in the series – recently spoke out to plead with fans to stop trying to find out who the real ‘Martha Scott’ is.
After the harrowing show soared to global success, show star Richard was forced to beg social media sleuths to stop trying to find out the real identities of the characters.
Now, Jessica has doubled down on his plea and said it is a ‘real shame’ fans are getting fixated on who the real ‘Martha’ is, after Richard went to great lengths to protect their identity.
She told Glamour: ‘I would urge people not to be doing that […] I think it’s a real, real shame, because it shows that they haven’t watched the show properly, that’s not the point of it in any way.
‘Netflix and Richard [Gadd] went to extreme lengths to try and make sure that the identities were kept private for a reason.
‘I think they should try and watch the show again, and really see what the point of it was – it definitely wasn’t that, I deliberately didn’t want to do an impersonation of somebody, I wanted to do an interpretation of this character.’
Richard has made it clear that he has changed names and specific details of the story to protect the identities of those involved.
Baby Reindeer delves into Richard Gadd’s harrowing real-life stalking ordeal and brutal sexual abuse as he plays a fictionalised version of himself called Donny Dunn (pictured)
He recently asked people to stop trying to figure out the real identities of his characters because it has led to false accusation against his friends.
In an Instagram statement, he told how ‘people I love, have worked with, and admire’ were being targeted unfairly.
‘Please don’t speculate on who any of the real life people could be. That’s not the point of the show,’ he added.
Baby Reindeer delves into Richard’s harrowing real-life stalking ordeal and brutal sexual abuse as he plays a fictionalised version of himself called Donny Dunn.
Donny is flooded with 41,071 emails, 744 tweets, 350 voicemails and 106 pages of letters from stalker Martha.
The series also details Donny’s horrifying rape at the hands of his comedy mentor Darrien, played by Tom Goodman-Hill.
Darrien coaxes Donny to come to his flat and get high on drugs, by promising him that TV producers are interested in his work. However while on drugs, he sexually assaults Donny multiple times.
Richard has opened up about what it was like to re-enact his trauma for the small screen – and how he hopes it will aid his healing process.
On reliving his ‘severe’ twenties, he told Attitude: ‘It’s hugely challenging, but I hope for catharsis when the show comes out.’
Jessica Gunning recently doubled down on Baby Reindeer creator Richard’s plea for fans to stop trying to find out who the real ‘Martha Scott’ is
