viewers react to ‘real Martha’ TV interview

Some viewers have expressed their concern at the “exploitative” nature of Piers Morgan’s interview with the ‘real Martha’ from Baby Reindeer.

Fiona Harvey, who is allegedly the inspiration for the stalker character in the Netflix drama, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Thursday (May 9), her first television interview since confirming her identity earlier in the week.

Baby Reindeer is a semi-autobiographical series written by the comedian Richard Gadd that claims to tell the “true story” of a struggling stand-up (played by Gadd) who is maliciously stalked by an older woman named Martha.

In the interview, Harvey denied many aspects of the Netflix show’s narrative, saying that she did not stalk Gadd, attack his girlfriend, destroy the bar he worked in or contact his parents.

Piers Morgan presses Fiona Harvey on her denial of sending Richard Gadd multiple voicemails.

“The only explanation would be him taping me in the Hawley Arms,” she claims.

📺 https://t.co/TSXzPg7TUK@piersmorgan | #MarthaUncensored pic.twitter.com/ZuBfX3K1O4

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) May 9, 2024

She was also asked what her message for Gadd is now. “Leave me alone please,” she replied. “Get a life, get a proper job.”

She added: “I am horrified at what you’ve done.”

Harvey also confirmed that she will “absolutely” be taking legal action against both Gadd and Netflix, saying that she is “exploring all the options out there”.

The interview has left many viewers with negative reactions. “I’m uncomfortable with how comfortable we are putting deeply unwell people in front of cameras,” wrote one person on X/Twitter.

I’m uncomfortable with how comfortable we are putting deeply unwell people in front of cameras#BabyReindeer

— Marie Maurer (@mariethetwit) May 9, 2024

Another user described the interview as “cruel”, “irresponsible” and “ghoulish”, while also admitting that “I could not take my eyes off for a second”.

I truly think putting Fiona Harvey front and centre in the media is cruel, irresponsible, ghoulish and knowingly does her a huge disservice. I also think this is a stellar moment in modern culture and I could not take my eyes off for a second #BabyReindeer

— Mitten d’Amour (@MittenDAmour) May 9, 2024

One person claimed that Morgan was hypocritical to criticise the show’s “duty of care” while also “throwing” Harvey “in front of millions”, calling it a “dangerous situation”.

Piers Morgan saying Netflix’s duty of care to Fiona Harvey failed… as he throws her in front of millions. This is a dangerous situation. #BabyReindeer

— Lawrence Lyons 🌐 (@LawrenceLyons1) May 9, 2024

The interview, which has already been viewed over four million times on YouTube, was described by another social media user as “exploitation of a person who is in a vulnerable position. Clearly unethical”.

@piersmorgan this is exploitation of a person who is in a vulnerable position. Clearly unethical

— Muhammad Aadil MD | Psychiatrist (@m_aadil) May 8, 2024

Another wrote: “Part of me doesn’t want to watch the interview but I can’t stop watching”.

Part of me doesn’t want to watch the interview but I can’t stop watching #BabyReindeer #PiersMorgan

pic.twitter.com/3RosJcWJlH

— Jack Proverbs (@JackProverbsPR) May 9, 2024

Harvey herself has given her own reaction to the interview, telling the Daily Record: “I wouldn’t say I was happy. It was very rapid to try to trip me up. He did it fast paced to catch me off guard. It seemed to me that I was set up. I feel a bit used.”

Netflix or Gadd himself have yet to comment on claims the woman is the ‘real-life’ Martha. Netflix’s policy chief Benjamin King said that Netflix and the production company “took every reasonable precaution in disguising the real-life identities of the people involved in that story”.

Almost immediately after the show premiered on Netflix last month, some viewers attempted to uncover the real identities of characters in the show, including Martha. Gadd himself subsequently urged people to refrain from speculation, saying, “that’s not the point of our show”.