Viewers of a disturbing new Netflix series have been shocked to find out the material hits close to home for the lead actor.
Netflix's new seven-part series Baby Reindeer, which boasts an 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, has received rave reviews since it dropped on the streaming platform on 11 April.
But it's the star of the show, Richard Gadd, who has easily earned the most compliments from viewers.
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The actor and comedian, 34, has managed to win over Netflix fans with his extraordinary talent in Baby Reindeer, but he was also juggling the pressures of creating and writing the series, as well as starring in it.
On top of all that, his life directly inspired the thriller - as Gadd actually lived through the lengthy stalking nightmare which his character, Donny Dunn, tackles in the series.
The Scotsman bravely decided to tell his story and reenact the six-year ordeal he suffered at the hands of a woman who became obsessed with him, with Baby Reindeer being named after the pet name she gave him.
He was harassed by a woman - who he called Martha in the series to protect her identity - for years on end before police finally intervened.
Baby Reindeer follows the journey of struggling comedian-come-bartender Donny as he navigates a bizarre relationship with his stalker, who is expertly played by Jessica Gunning.
It explores the chilling lengths that she was willing to go to try and get closer to him, which is anything from turning up to gigs to flooding his phone with messages.
And we're not just talking a few rude texts - Gadd received a staggering 41,071 emails, 350 hours of voicemail, 744 tweets, 46 Facebook messages and 106 pages of letters from his stalker.
Honestly, it's really disturbing stuff.
But rather than shying away from the topic, Gadd decided to create a stand-up show and then the Netflix series centred on his hellish experience, so that he could have 'ownership' of his trauma.
Even though he aced his role and obviously made Baby Reindeer feel worryingly believable for viewers, people can't believe that the Against the Law star is Martha's real-life victim.
Taking to X to share their thoughts on the show, one social media user said: "Baby Reindeer is incredible. Richard Gadd is brave as hell for doing this."
Another wrote: "Completely broken by Baby Reindeer on Netflix. Richard Gadd bears his soul in a vice-gripping, viciously funny, deeply upsetting cathartic excavation of his past traumas.
"Unflinchingly, painfully truthful. Those final two episodes in particular, knocked me for six."
A third added: "Baby Reindeer is a masterpiece. How Richard Gadd confronts his trauma, processes it and puts it out into the world with such unflinching honesty is nothing short of game changing. And to then act as the lead as well, revisiting it firsthand? Loved it dearly."
A fourth commented: "I am speechless. The fact it’s a true story AND the lead actor was the victim of the true story. Wow."
While a fifth chimed in: "Baby Reindeer is a truly special series. Richard Gadd’s storytelling is nothing short of masterful."
Gadd explained he has been left with something 'like PTSD' after being stalked for years and is 'more cautious' about relationships now, despite him having 'every type of therapy going' since the ordeal.
Speaking to the Independent, the writer said: "I suppose the situation, shall we say, my dealings with the person who stalked me is certainly over. The emotional ramifications do live on.
"When you go through quite a relentless ordeal of stalking, it does imprint itself upon your soul a little bit.
"I still live in its aftermath a bit, for sure, but I guess that’s why I do the art: to work through it, to understand it, to try and let go of all these kinds of things."
Hats off, Richard. Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix now.
Topics: Celebrity, Crime, Netflix, News, True Crime, UK News, Baby Reindeer
Olivia Burke