Piers Morgan Criticizes Netflix's Portrayal of Martha from 'Baby Reindeer'

Piers Morgan Thinks Baby Reindeer s Real Martha Was Failed by Netflix Show

Karwai Tang/WireImage; Mirrorpix / MEGA

Piers Morgan believes that Fiona Harvey, who is believed to be the real-life inspiration for the stalker character Martha in the TV show Baby Reindeer, was let down by Netflix. During an appearance on ITV's Lorraine on Tuesday, May 14, Morgan, 59, expressed his opinion that Netflix, in particular, did not fulfill their responsibility to take care of Harvey. He raised concerns about whether Netflix has defamed her by wrongly accusing her of being a convicted stalker when she is not. Making such a serious mistake is a cause for concern.

Harvey, who is 58 years old, recently made her first on-air appearance since the debut of Baby Reindeer on Netflix. The show was created by Richard Gadd and is being portrayed as a true story, but Harvey insists that it is a work of fiction. During her interview on Piers Morgan: Uncensored, she refuted many of the main events depicted in the series, such as the claim that she sent Gadd 41,000 emails and 350 voicemails over a span of four years.

Harvey claimed that "He's crazy and wants to make this up." He mentioned that he hasn't contacted the guy because he doesn't have his number.

Morgan has received backlash for choosing to interview Harvey on his YouTube channel. Despite facing criticism, Morgan appeared unfazed during his interview on the U.K. talk show Lorraine, where he addressed accusations of exploiting a vulnerable person for views.

"I have a YouTube channel called Piers Morgan: Uncensored and I want people to click on it," he joked. He also referred to the interview as "one of the biggest things I’ve ever been involved in."

After the interview, Harvey mentioned that she was offered £250 ($313) for the appearance and is looking to receive more compensation.

She mentioned to Scotland’s The Daily Record on Tuesday that she asked if the payment was standard for everyone. She also requested to see documentation to support this, but it has not been provided yet. She clarified that she has not signed a contract for the interview and plans to ask for a higher compensation.

Furthermore, she expressed her willingness to accept a million pounds as settlement. She also alleged that Morgan did not bid farewell to her and only took a photograph with her for publicity purposes.

Morgan said on Tuesday that Harvey is “not going to get a million pounds” for the interview.

Piers Morgan Thinks Baby Reindeer s Real Martha Was Failed by Netflix Show

Netflix provided her with an agent, similar to what they do for 95 percent of their guests. They covered the expenses for a haircut, a car, and other necessities. The company believes they have fulfilled their duty of care and have continued to stay in contact with her.

Harvey mentioned to The Daily Record that she is also looking to receive the same sum of money from Netflix. She expressed, "If I can't easily get the show to stop, and if they don't pay me the money - I'm talking about £1 million - politicians will intervene and halt the show." Harvey emphasized, "I am seeking at least £1 million and they are aware of my demand."

Gadd, 35, shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, May 13, that the show is set in a fictional world, even though it is inspired by real events. He made it clear that he did not want the real-life individuals behind the show to be revealed.

He mentioned, "If I wanted to expose the real people, I would have made a documentary. I have already expressed my desire for people not to play the guessing game of identifying individuals. If I start trying to stop it, it might make things worse." He added, "I don't think I will address this issue again in the future."

Gadd recently showed support for director Sean Foley amidst speculation that he influenced the Baby Reindeer storyline about sexual abuse.

In a message on his Instagram Story, Gadd expressed his concern for those being unfairly implicated, including Foley. He urged fans not to speculate on the real-life individuals behind the show's plot, emphasizing that it was not the intention of their production.

Editor's P/S:

The article exposes the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding the portrayal of real-life individuals in fictionalized media. Piers Morgan's criticism of Netflix highlights concerns about the responsibility of streaming platforms to protect individuals from defamation and ensure that their stories are presented accurately. Harvey's allegations that she was misrepresented in the show and received inadequate compensation raise questions about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for entertainment purposes.

Furthermore, the article sheds light on the ongoing debate about the boundaries between fiction and reality in storytelling. Richard Gadd's insistence that "Baby Reindeer" is a fictionalized account, despite its basis in real events, raises questions about the ethics of using real-life experiences as inspiration for entertainment without fully protecting the individuals involved. The article serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing artistic freedom with the rights and well-being of those whose stories are being told.