Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd says disturbing scene was ‘most truthful’ from the series

Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault and rape which some readers may find distressing

Still sitting in the number one spot on Netflix, viewers have been left ‘speechless’ by Baby Reindeer.

The seven-part mini-series is based on Richard Gadd’s harrowing true story following his ‘warped relationship’ with a female stalker.

Over six years, the comedian was stalked by a woman who flooded him with calls, emails and messages as well as often showing up to his workplace, gigs and home.

Gadd himself stars in Baby Reindeer, as a fictionalised version, Donny Dunn. His stalker has also had their name changed to ‘Martha’ for the series, out of respect for privacy, and is played by Jessica Gunning.

And while the series includes various ‘real’ moments and messages from the star’s experience, he has said one disturbing scene in particular was ‘most truthful’.

During the Netflix series, we learn that while Donny was starting out in comedy, he met a TV producer named Darrien - played by Tom Goodman-Hill.

He ended up going round to the man’s house but was drugged and sexually abused there.

And in the finale of Baby Reindeer, following Martha’s arrest, Donny goes back to see Darrien who offers him paid TV work.

Gadd plays 'Donny Dunn', heavily inspired by his own experiences. (Netflix)

Gadd spoke to GQ about the scene where his character directly confronts the abuser.

“I think that was almost the most truthful scene of the entire show,” he admitted.

“What abuse does is it creates psychological damage as well as physical damage… Abuse leaves an imprint. Especially abuse like this where it’s repeated with promises.

"There’s a pattern where a lot of people who have been abused feel like they need their abusers.

“I don’t think it was a cynical ending, it was showing an element of abuse that hadn’t been seen on television before, which is, unfortunately, the deeply entrenched, negative, psychological effects of attachment you can sometimes have with your abuser.”

Tom Goodman-Hill played Darrien in the series. (Netflix)

Baby Reindeer has been praised by many viewers who call it a ‘truly special series’.

One also wrote on X: “Much respect for [Gadd] using his experiences to produce such an authentic, complex & uncomfortable drama.”

Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.

Topics: Netflix, Baby Reindeer, TV and Film

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_