Comedian Richard Gadd has created a hit Netflix show called Baby Reindeer, based on his own experiences of being stalked. The show follows the story of Donny Dunn, a struggling comedian played by Gadd, whose life is turned upside down when he meets Martha, played by Jessica Gunning. Martha’s initially friendly demeanour takes a dark turn as she begins to stalk Donny relentlessly.
However, in a recent interview with Variety, Gadd revealed that he actually feels sorry for the Martha character. He commented that “stalking usually is depicted as someone who is kind of evil, whereas I felt like there was a vulnerable person who genuinely couldn’t stop, who for whatever reason had believed the reality that was inside her head and no matter what couldn’t change from that”. Gadd wanted to portray the mental illness that can lead to stalking, rather than simply vilifying the character.
The show’s soundtrack features classic rock and pop songs from artists such as Roxy Music, Dusty Springfield, David Byrne, Peggy Lee, Brian Eno, and George Harrison. Meanwhile, some viewers have even spotted a hidden code in Martha’s emails, with references to the show Lost.
Although Baby Reindeer is a fictional retelling of Gadd’s experiences, it sheds light on the reality of stalking, which affects many people around the world. By portraying Martha in a more sympathetic light, Gadd hopes to bring greater understanding to the issue of stalking and the impact it can have on both victims and perpetrators
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