Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd has taken Los Angeles by storm with his hit limited series dominating the Netflix English-language TV rankings. The show, inspired by Gadd’s real-life stalker, has captivated audiences with its intense and comical storytelling.
At a recent panel discussion at the Directors Guild of America, Gadd and his co-star Jessica Gunning discussed the creative process behind the show. Gadd poured his heart and soul into writing the scripts, pulling from his award-winning one-man stage show. He worked tirelessly, obsessively writing from 5 a.m. onwards to ensure the show was as good as it could be.
Gunning, who plays the woman who terrorized Gadd in the series, became a fan of his work after seeing his previous one-man show. She found his storytelling profound and captivating, leading her to hound her agents for updates on the casting process for Baby Reindeer.
Nava Mau, known for HBO’s Generation, also shared her experience of reading the script and immediately feeling connected to the story. She found the role empowering and emotionally challenging, allowing her to explore her own emotions in a transformative way.
The show has garnered widespread acclaim since its debut, resonating with viewers who appreciate its dark and complex portrayal of the human condition. Gadd believes the show’s success lies in its ability to capture the pain and difficulties of life in a way that is both compelling and thought-provoking.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Baby Reindeer is Gadd’s complicated relationship with his real-life stalker. He admits to feeling a sense of empathy towards her, despite the torment she put him through. This “toxic empathy” has been a struggle for Gadd, who sees the woman not as a villain but as someone in need of help.
As the show continues to gain popularity, Gadd hopes that audiences will draw their own conclusions and interpretations from the story. He values the ambiguity of the show’s message, allowing viewers to take away what they want from his work.
In the end, Baby Reindeer is a messy, nuanced story that challenges traditional narratives of villain and victim. Gunning and Gadd both hope that the show’s complex storytelling will resonate with viewers and spark conversations about empathy, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships.
