Since Baby Reindeer hit Netflix, audiences have been captivated by the chilling true story of Richard Gadd and his ordeal with a relentless stalker over four years.

The series delves into the comedian’s real-life experience of enduring persistent harassment from his stalker, portrayed as “Martha” in the show.

Their encounter begins innocuously when Donny (played by Gadd) offers Martha (Jessica Gunning) a cup of tea out of pity. However, Martha becomes fixated on a perceived connection between them, bombarding Donny with emails, voicemails, tweets, Facebook messages, and letters.

Martha’s barrage includes a staggering 41,071 emails, 350 hours of voicemails, and numerous other forms of communication. Notably, each email concludes with the signature “Sent from my iPhone” despite Martha not owning an iPhone.

Psychologist Dannielle Haig suggests that this detail reflects Martha’s attempt to cling to her former identity as a professional, despite her current circumstances. It symbolizes her struggle to reconcile her past success with her present reality.

Gadd has previously highlighted Martha’s mental health struggles, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding rather than demonization.

In the series, Martha receives a nine-month prison sentence and a five-year restraining order. However, details such as the initial encounter and the timing of police intervention have been dramatized for effect.

While Baby Reindeer remains faithful to the core of Gadd’s ordeal, certain aspects have been altered to protect identities and enhance narrative impact. Gadd himself acknowledges that Martha’s portrayal is heavily disguised, and the ultimate resolution of the real-life situation remains undisclosed.