Trying to hunt down the ‘real Martha’ from Baby Reindeer? Read this lawyer’s warning

Writer Richard Gadd recently issued a statement about the speculation (Picture: Backgrid/Netflix)

A lawyer has issued a warning to all of the people watching Baby Reindeer who have been trying to find out the identity of the ‘real Martha’.

Ever since the mini series was released on Netflix earlier this month, people around the world have found themselves gripped and horrified by the tale of protagonist Donny Dunn.

Starring comedian Richard Gadd as the lead – who wrote the drama and based it on his true experience of being stalked – the seven-part drama follows Donny as he meets a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning), who subsequently develops an obsession with him.

As the 34-year-old revealed that Baby Reindeer was based on his real life, having previously turned the story into a one-man show, some viewers have tried to track down the woman who served as the inspiration for Martha.

However, a lawyer has stressed that ‘seeking out and potentially naming individuals involved in a case, especially if they turn out to be the wrong person, carries significant legal and ethical implications’.

Mark Woloshak, the Head of Litigation at Howells Solicitors, explained to LADbible that particularly when it comes to Baby Reindeer, which depicts events that actually happened, ‘it is important to recognise the delicate balance the programme makers are treading between storytelling and real-world consequences’.

Jessica Gunning plays Martha, who begins to stalk Donny after developing an obsession with him (Picture: Ed Miller/Netflix)

The solicitor pointed out the fact that trying to seek out the real-life inspirations for characters on the show could end up causing ‘unwarranted harm’ to people who have been ‘wrongly identified’.

He stressed that individuals who have absolutely no connection to the series could end up with their ‘privacy and safety’ being put at risk.

What’s more, people who are wrongly accused could decide to seek damages, he warned.

‘The damage caused by false accusations and online harassment can extend beyond legal remedies, affecting individuals’ personal and professional lives irreparably,’ he stated.

Following the release of Baby Reindeer, Gadd released a statement on Instagram urging viewers not to try and suss out the real-life inspirations for the characters.

Gadd previously turned his story into a one-man show (Picture: Ed Miller/Netflix)

‘People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation,’ he said.

‘Please don’t speculate on who the real-life people could be. That’s not the point of our show.’

Gadd’s friend, Sean Foley, recently wrote on X that he had contacted the police after facing false allegations of inspiring the character Darrien on Baby Reindeer, who commits sexual assault.

The actor and writer stated: ‘Police have been informed and are investigating all defamatory abusive and threatening posts against me.’

Baby Reindeer is available to watch on Netflix.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.