Netflix has signed a new deal with Baby Reindeers Richard Gadd despite £129m lawsuit, it has been revealed.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised Gadd as a brilliant storyteller while speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference and said his story was something that was unique to the times that we live in.
The 60-year-old was responding to a question from presenter Kirsty Wark, who asked if Netflix needed a stronger editorial grip on the programme over how truthful it was.
Sarandos replied: We are facilitating storytellers to tell their stories, this is Richards true story.
And I could also give you a bit of news this morning, actually.
We actually finished our first look deal with Richard Gadd to do his next work at Netflix.
Performing a version of what happened to him has enabled him to have ownership of the trauma, Richard Gadd says
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised Gadd as a brilliant storyteller while speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference
Richard Gadd, 35, was visibly emotional as he reflected on his own struggles and battle with mental health issues as his Netflix hit show Baby Reindeer won four Emmys
Baby Reindeer is the drama written by comedian Gadd (who also plays the lead character) based on his real-life experiences with a female stalker, played by Jessica Gunning
I think hes a brilliant storyteller, he told an incredible story, and I think the path of bringing Baby Reindeer to the world, from just a few years ago to a complete unknown storyteller, telling a story at Fringe in Edinburgh, to an international sensation, is something that is so unique to the times that we live in, and so unique to Netflix.
Frankly, that were able to do that, Im very proud of Richard and proud of the story he told, and we told it, and it is his true story.
He added: Baby Reindeer is (Gadds) story and he told his story, and its not a documentary and there are elements of the story that are dramatised.
Were watching it performed by actors on television, we think that its abundantly clear that there is dramatisation involved.
It is interesting too, I would point out that its a fairly uniquely British debate, this debate is not happening anywhere else in the world.
Baby Reindeer was among the big winners at this years Emmy Awards, taking home four gongs, with Gadd collecting three of the awards for writing, producing and starring in the series.
Martha actress Gunning, 38, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie prize for her role as the crazed fan of Gadds Donny Dunn and the show also triumphed in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology series category
The series was a hit and became one of Netflixs most watched shows ever. But the dark comedy thriller has came under fire from those who claimed to have been depicted by the series
Gadd would turn his stalking ordeal into Baby Reindeer which debuted at Fringe in 2019
The show, said to be inspired by his real-life experiences of stalking and sexual assault, made headlines after a woman who claimed to be the inspiration behind the character Martha filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the story of being inaccurate.
In a statement about the new deal, Gadd added: Im beyond thrilled to be continuing my creative journey with Netflix.
They took a chance on me when I wasnt proven in the television space, for that I will always be grateful.
I look forward to the years ahead with Netflix, ideas with Ted, Bela, Anne, Peter and all the amazing staff who work at the company.
The successful show was embroiled in drama when the streaming service was hit with legal action from a woman who claims to be the real stalker Martha.
Fiona Harvey came forward claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha, alleging the story was inaccurate, and filed a lawsuit against Netflix.
At the beginning of the first episode, text appears on the screen which says: This is a true story.
Gadd first met his stalker after he offered a crying stranger a cup of tea when she came into the bar where he worked
The Netflix series sees Martha given a prison sentence for her offences but Gadd hasnt divulged the fate of his real-life stalker
Ms Harvey said: The problem for Richard Gadd and now for Netflix is that Baby Reindeer is not a true story at all.
I am not a convicted stalker
Sarandos opened the conference with a speech saying Britain is one of the best places in the world for TV.
He said he had always thought of the UK as the birthplace of prestige television and said the streaming service invested more in the UK than anywhere else in the world outside the US.
Sarandos said: I have seen first hand the scope and ambition of British-made shows and films, this wealth of talent is a great British success story.
I say that because it did not happen by accident, it happened because you have great public service broadcasters and institutions here that nurture British talent and creativity, institutions like RTS, the oldest television society in the world.
Gadd, 35, struggled to hold in his emotions as his smash hit Netflix show based on his harrowing experiences won four Emmys at a glitzy ceremony in LA.
Piers Morgan with Fiona Harvey, said to be the inspiration for Martha, in May where she gave a bombshell interview on his YouTube show Uncensored
Gadd was visibly emotional as he won the awards for Writing for a Limited or Anthology series or Movie and Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology series or Movie.
During a tear-jerking speech, he urged others going through a tough time to persevere.
This is the stuff of dreams, the kilt-wearing comedian said on stage.
Look, 10 years ago I was down and out. I never ever thought Id get my life together.
I never ever thought Id be able to rectify myself what had happened to me and get myself back on my feet again, and then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.
I dont mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone whos going through a difficult time right now to persevere.
I dont know much about this life, I dont know why we are here, none of that, but I do know that nothing lasts forever, and no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better.
So if youre struggling, keep going – keep going and I promise you things will be okay.
Actress Jessica Gunning, 38, who played his stalker Martha Scott, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie prize for her role.
The show is a semi-autobiographical comedy drama which told the story of standup comedian Donny Dunn who is harassed and stalked by Martha, sending him 41,000-plus emails, and bombarding him with texts and calls.
It included traumatic scenes of sexual assault and drug taking.
Gadd previously opened up about filming episode four, in which his character is sexually assaulted by a male TV writer who takes struggling comedian Donny under his wing.