One year on, real life Martha from Baby Reindeer says she’s ‘going blind’ due to Netflix lawsuit

The “real life” Martha who inspired the Baby Reindeer character has claimed she’s “going blind” due to the stress caused by her current lawsuit with Netflix.

A year ago, it was reported Fiona Harvey had launched a lawsuit against Netflix, following the release of the show. The lawsuit seeks over $170million (£132million) in damages for Harvey. She has accused Netflix of spreading “brutal lies”, including that she is a “twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison”. She has claimed she was easily identifiable as Martha. However, Netflix is defending the lawsuit and Richard Gadd’s “right to tell his story”.

Amid the lawsuit, it’s been reported Fiona Harvey has been diagnosed with background retinopathy. She has blamed “going blind” on the stress she is under.

She told the Daily Record: “I’m going blind and it’s not surprising with the stress I have been under as a result of Baby Reindeer. I am diabetic and had always been able to keep my blood sugars under control, but my blood sugars have been wild ever since Richard Gadd’s show aired.

“I am not sleeping properly, I’m not able to eat properly, I’m not able to get proper exercise because I’m virtually a prisoner in my own home.”

via Netflix

It’s been reported she got her diagnosis last week, and it is a complication affecting people with diabetes. Background retinopathy is said to occur when high blood sugar levels damage light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Most Read

Woman who ‘died’ for eight minutes describes exactly what she saw, and it’s terrifying

The bleak aftermath of Bonnie Blue’s 1,000 guys in 12 hours challenge, in pictures

After weeks, another MAFS Australia 2025 couple swap finally confirm they are dating!

“It is something that diabetics can get if your sugars are out of control,” Harvey added.  “My sugars were fine until Baby Reindeer, that led to all my physical health problems. I don’t have money for proper food. I feel it could lead to blindness very quickly in both eyes. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before I will lose my sight.”

As it stands, the hearing for the lawsuit is believed to be delayed until next year. The lawsuit states: “Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money. As a result of defendants’ lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey’s life had been ruined.”

Baby Reindeer is available on Netflix now.  For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.