Despite $170M lawsuit, Netflix signs settlement with Richard Gadd

Like David Fincher, the creator of the hit series was offered a deal to design (at least) his next project on the platform.

Richard Gadd has a powerful ally here. Embroiled in a multitude of scandals since the broadcast of his mini-series My little reindeer on Netflix, between accusations of sexual manipulation towards the latter, author and main actor, brought forward by an actress rejected from the casting and a complaint for defamation on the part of “the real Martha”, It's an understatement to say that the mini-series has made people talk.

Based on a true story, a woman who harassed him precipitating an incalculable number of twists and turns, it turns out that she was attacked by the self-proclaimed true “stalker”a Scottish woman named Fiona Harvey. Denying the director's version of events, she is demanding $170 million from him for “defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and violations of the right of representation.”

Netflix, however, supports the creator of the series that has left such an impression on the public with its very particular tone. After having assured that they would support him during this trial (but reformulated a few words at the end of the series so as not to defame “Martha”), the platform has just signed an exclusivity agreement with him.

My Little Reindeer: Netflix backtracks ahead of Richard Gadd's trial

It's the boss himself, Ted Sarandoswho made the announcement at a conference in response to a reporter's question about the lawsuit, saying Netflix supported Gadd:

“We help storytellers tell their stories, Sarandos said when asked if Netflix made a mistake in calling the series“true story”. “This is the true story of Richard. We have finished [la signature] of our contract with Richard Gadd to do his next job at Netflix… We are very proud of Richard and proud of the story he told and the way he told it.”

“This is not a documentary,” he added, before specifying: “We watch it being acted out by actors on television – we think it's quite clear that there's drama involved. And I would also like to point out that this is a uniquely British debate, this debate is not happening anywhere else in the world about My little reindeer.”

My Little Reindeer Phenomenon Continues at the 2024 Emmy Awards

My little reindeer won six Emmys on Sunday, including best limited series, writing and lead performance for Gadd and supporting actress for Jessica Gunning, who plays the stalker Martha. The story is based on Gadd's own experiences, with the writer-actor telling Variety in April that what is described in the series is “emotionally 100% true”.

“Everything is borrowed from cases that happened to me and from real people I methe said. But of course, one cannot tell the exact truth, for both legal and artistic reasons.”

Netflix, for its part, has supported Gadd since the lawsuit was filed, stating:

“We intend to vigorously defend this case and defend Richard Gadd's right to tell his story.”

What could Richard Gadd's next project be about? For now, it's a secret, but he's certainly far from being the first to sign a deal to design films and/or series at Netflix. Before him, David Fincher accepted this type of contract allowing him to be attached to new projects as director, screenwriter and/or producer, after the success of House of Cards(Mindhunter, Love, Death and Robots, Mank, The Killer…), and then renewed it. Just like Adam Sandler, for example, who has participated in very eclectic programs for the streaming service, from the comedy western The Ridiculous 6 to the drama The Meyerowitz Stories by Noah Baumbach, through the animated film Leo.

Why My Little Reindeer is a hit on Netflix