News comes on the heels of his Emmy success

Richard Gadd has signed a deal which gives Netflix the first option on any of his future projects.

The streaming service’s boss Ted Sarandos broke the news in London yesterday, after the comedian scooped two Emmys for writing and starring in Baby Reindeer.

The acclaimed autobiographical show  also took home  the award for best limited or anthology series or movie while his co-star Jessica Gunning took the Emmy for best supporting actress in the same category.

Sarandos revealed the existence of Gadd’s first-look deal at a Royal Television Society press conference in London.

Journalist Kirsty Wark asked him about the £130million defamation lawsuit brought by Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, who says the character of the stalker Martha was based on her, but with significant deviations from the truth. Much of her claim stems from the fact the series is prefaced with a caption calling it a ‘true story’.

In comments reported by trade website Variety,  Sarandos said: ‘We are facilitating storytellers to tell their stories. This is Richard’s true story. 

‘We finished [signing] our first-look deal with Richard Gadd to do his next work at Netflix … We’re very proud of Richard and proud of the story he told and the way he told it.’

‘It’s not a documentary. We’re watching it performed by actors on television — we think it’s abundantly clear there’s dramatisation involved. And I would also point out this is a uniquely British debate, this debate is not happening anywhere else in the world about Baby Reindeer.’

Before Sunday’s big ceremony, Baby Reindeer also picked up Emmys for casting and picture editing.

Watch Richard Gadd’s acceptance speeches here.

Published: 18 Sep 2024