A lawyer has issued a warning to Netflix users advising them against finding and naming the real identity of the people characterized in Baby Reindeer.
Despite the creator, lead actor and man who experienced the events in real life himself, Richard Gadd, having defended the real-life woman who the series' stalker is based upon as not being a 'villain', some viewers have had other ideas, set on hunting her down.
The Netflix mini-series which has taken the platform by storm focuses on the story of comedian Donny (Gadd) and his navigation of the world of comedy while also ending up being stalked by a woman who he simply tried to show a bit of kindness to.
Advert
Donny is not only stalked by a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning), but a subplot also sees Donny abused by TV comedy writer Darrien (Tom Goodman-Hill).
The series is based on Gadd's own real-life experiences and it's not taken long for Netflix viewers to don the coats of internet sleuths in a bid to try and track down the real-life people the characters are based upon.
Gadd has since implored fans not to go looking, explaining people he 'loves' and 'admire' are 'unfairly getting caught up in speculation', adding it's 'not the point' of the show who the real-life people are.
And a lawyer has since weighed in on Netflix viewers' determination, warning if they do try to track down the real people and expose names online they could end up facing severe consequences.
Mark Woloshak, Head of Litigation at Howells Solicitors, told LADbible if people seek out and particularly name 'individuals involved in a case' it could lead to 'significant legal and ethical implications' - particularly if the person found or named turns out 'to be the wrong person'.
Advert
Woloshak continued: "In the case of Baby Reindeer, where real-life events are portrayed, it is important to recognise the delicate balance the programme makers are treading between storytelling and real-world consequences.
"The portrayal of characters in a fictionalised drama should not result in people seeking to ascertain who the individuals portrayed in that drama are based upon.
"The frenzy surrounding the attempt to uncover the real identities of individuals depicted in Baby Reindeer would not only cause unwarranted harm to anyone wrongly identified but could also undermine the privacy and safety of individuals who may have no connection to the events portrayed."
If someone is falsely accused of being Darrien or Martha, the damage caused by the accusation and 'online harassment' which could follow 'can extend beyond legal remedies, affecting individuals' personal and professional lives irreparably,' Woloshak warned.
Advert
Indeed, actor and director Sean Foley has been wrongfully accused of being the real-life person on whom Darrien is based. Foley has since involved the police who are 'investigating all defamatory abusive and threatening posts against' him.
Woloshak resolved: "In light of these considerations, it is imperative for viewers and the public alike to respect the boundaries between fiction and reality, and to approach discussions surrounding true-life events with sensitivity and caution.
"Ultimately, the pursuit of truth should never come at the expense of innocent individuals' well-being and rights."
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix now.
Topics: Crime, Film and TV, Life, Netflix, True crime