Lawyer issues urgent warning to Baby Reindeer fans about trying to find real characters from the show

Two main stars of Baby Reindeer have urged people not to try and find the ‘real’ characters from the show – and a lawyer has backed them up.

The seven-part Netflix series stars Richard Gadd and is based on his own horrific experiences of getting stalked and sexually assaulted. Both he and co-star Jessica Gunning have urged viewers to stop trying to find who the characters are based on, with Jessica saying that people who are doing this have missed the point of the show.

Now, Mark Woloshak, Head of Litigation at Howells Solicitors has echoed the sentiment of the stars, discussing the consequences of falsely accusing individuals of such serious offenses, cautioning viewers against seeking out the real-life individuals involved in the case.

He said: “Seeking out and potentially naming individuals involved in a case, especially if they turn out to be the wrong person, carries significant legal and ethical implications.

“In the case of Baby Reindeer, where real-life events are portrayed, it is important to recognize the delicate balance the program-makers are treading between storytelling and real-world consequences.

“The portrayal of characters in a fictionalized drama should not result in people seeking to ascertain who the individuals portrayed in that drama are based upon. The frenzy surrounding the attempt to uncover the real identities of individuals depicted in Baby Reindeer would not only cause unwarranted harm to anyone wrongly identified but could also undermine the privacy and safety of individuals who may have no connection to the events portrayed.”

He also warned that individuals who are falsely accused may pursue compensation for damages incurred due to the fact that it can “irreparably affect individuals’ personal and professional lives”.

He continued: “In light of these considerations, it is imperative for viewers and the public alike to respect the boundaries between fiction and reality, and to approach discussions surrounding true-life events with sensitivity and caution. Ultimately, the pursuit of truth should never come at the expense of innocent individuals’ well-being and rights.”

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