Netflix has done it again with its new series "Baby Reindeer," quickly securing a spot on the streaming giant's top 10 list since its release on April 11, 2024.
The show offers viewers a unique blend of genres and a plot that’s grippingly real, making it a must-watch for anyone who thinks they’ve seen it all when it comes to thriller series.
Photo: Ed Miller / Netflix
From a Cup of Tea to a Chilling Stalker Saga
The series starts innocuously with bartender and aspiring comedian Donny Dunn offering a free cup of tea to a seemingly troubled woman at the pub where he works.
This simple act of kindness spirals into a harrowing multi-year stalking nightmare, turning Donny's life upside down.
The woman, Martha Scott, portrayed by Jessica Gunning in a performance that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, becomes an unforgettable figure of obsession and menace.
Photo: Ed Miller / Netflix
7 Things You Need to Know About 'Baby Reindeer
Rooted in Reality: The entire series is based on true events. However, some creative liberties have been taken, so the series is not a one-to-one match with the experiences that Richard Gadd had in his own life.
From Stage to Screen: The creator and lead actor, Richard Gadd, adapts his own award-winning one-man show into this seven-episode series, drawing from his personal experiences.
Overwhelming Evidence: The stalker bombards Donny with 41,000 emails, 350 hours of voicemails, and hundreds of social media messages and letters, portraying the overwhelming nature of modern digital stalking.
Genre-Bending: "Baby Reindeer" successfully mixes true crime with penetrating humor, making it a comedy-drama that reflects the bizarre and painful realities of life.
A Fictional Name for a Real Terror: The stalker is known as 'Martha Scott' in the series, a pseudonym that has sparked wild online speculation about her true identity.
Why 'Baby Reindeer'?: The nickname "Baby Reindeer" comes from a childhood toy of the real stalker, further personalizing the eerie connection she feels with Donny.
More Than Just a Stalking Story: The series explores deeper emotional and psychological layers, revealing significant past traumas that shape the characters' present actions.
