Baby Reindeer Wins Big at Emmy Awards Amid Lawsuit

The Netflix series — which tells the story of actor Richard Gadd’s real-life account with a stalker named Martha — took home several trophies on Sunday, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for Gadd.

During the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday, the Netflix series —  which tells the story of actor Richard Gadd’s real-life account with a stalker named Martha — took home several trophies on television’s biggest night, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series for Gadd.

While accepting the award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Gadd first thanked Netflix and the cast and crew, before discussing the importance of taking “risks” in Hollywood.

“I know the industry is in a slump right now, and I know it might force or put pressure on networks and stuff to tighten the purse strings and broaden the slate, but I do believe no slump was ever broken without a willingness to take risks,” he said.

“If Baby Reindeer is proof [of] anything, is that there’s no set formula to this — that you don’t need big stars, proven IP, long-running series, catchall storytelling to have a hit,” he continued. “Really the only constant across any success in television is good storytelling, good storytelling that speaks to our times.”

“So tasks risks, push boundaries, explore the uncomfortable, dare to fail in order to achieve,” Gadd concluded. “Thank you so much for this award.”

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Meanwhile, actress Jessica Gunning won the show’s first award on Sunday night, taking home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for her role as Martha Scott. It marked her first Emmy win.

Gunning, 38, took to the stage to accept her award, delivering a heartfelt speech.

“I honestly feel that I’m going to walk up any minute now. This whole thing has been a dream,” she began. “Thank you very, very much indeed.”

“I’m so incredibly proud to be part of Baby Reindeer, so I just would love to say a huge thank you to everybody who let me really,” she continued, thanking Netflix, the production company, and the cast and crew, along with her team, friends, and family.

Gunning then became emotional as she thanked her costar, Gadd.

“I’ve tried so many times to put into words what working on Baby Reindeer meant to me, and I fail every time, so I’m gonna sing,” she joked, before telling Gadd. “I’ll keep it simple and just say thank you for trusting me to be your Martha. I will never, ever forget her or you or all this. It really means a lot. Thank you, Reindeer. And thank you for this. I’m thrilled.”

Gunning beat out the other nominees in her category, including Dakota Fanning (Ripley), Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge), Aja Naomi King, (Lessons In Chemistry), Diane Lane (FEUD: Capote vs. The Swans), Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country) and her Baby Reindeer costar Nava Mau.

Shortly after Gunning’s win, Gadd won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series for Baby Reindeer, delivering an emotional acceptance speech.

“This is the stuff of dreams thank you so much to the Academy for voting for me,” he began. “Thank you to Netflix for letting me tell this story to the world.”

Gadd went on to thank his loved ones and the show’s cast and crew, before he opened up about what the award meant to him following his struggles after what he went through.

“10 years ago, I was down and out right?” he said. “I never, ever, thought I’d get my life together. I never, ever thought I’d be able to rectify myself for 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 don’t mean that to sound arrogant,” he continued. “I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere. I don’t know much about this life. I don’t know why we’re here — none of that. But I do know that nothing lasts forever.”

Gadd concluded his speech with a powerful message.

“No matter how bad it gets, it always gets better,” he said. “So if you’re struggling, keep going. Keep going, and I promise you things will be okay. Thank you so much for this award.”

He took the stage later in the evening to accept his second Emmy for acting.

After giving a shoutout to Jon Hamm, who was also nominated in the category, Gadd first thanked everyone he mentioned in the first speech, along with those as well those he forgot to, including his parents.

“I’d like to thank my mom and dad, glaring admission from the previous one as well,” he said. “They’re the best. We’ve had some trying times as a family, and they’ve been there for me, a constant source of love and support.”

“The thing I’m most grateful for is they never, ever told me what I needed to do with my life, and they never, ever told me who I needed to be,” he continued. “And I think that’s the greatest gift a parent can give a child.”

Gadd concluded, “They always said, ‘Follow your heart, and the rest will fall into place.’ And I think it’s good advice. Follow your heart, and the rest will fall into place.”

Baby Reindeer’s epic night at the Emmys comes just a few months after a woman who claims to be the real-life Martha filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix.

In the docs, per TMZ, Fiona Harvey, who has labeled many of the allegations Gadd made about her on the series “untrue,” claimed the streamer has stained her reputation due to the show’s false and defamatory descriptions of Martha. She also denied allegations that she stalked Gadd and sexually assaulted him.

Meanwhile, a rep for Netflix told TMZ in a statement, “We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.”

To see more 2024 Emmys coverage, click here.