West Midlands Police probe after fans wrongly claim to unmask Baby Reindeer character

Police have launched an investigation after fans of a hit Netflix drama were accused of falsely claiming to have found the true identities of one of the characters on the show.

Speculation has been rife since Baby Reindeer drama came out earlier this month.

It follows the real-life story of Scottish comedian Richard Gadd and his experience in London where he was stalked by a fellow Scot for three years.

The programme also deals with the Fife actor being groomed and raped by a producer in the city.

Tom Goodman-Hill plays Darrien in Baby Reindeer, a character inspired by an experience the show's creator had in London. — Tom Goodman-Hill plays Darrien in Baby Reindeer, a character inspired by an experience the show’s creator had in London. Netflix

Social media is awash with fans claiming to have found the real-life Martha – the stalker played by Jessica Gunning – and the true identity of Darrien, the producer who attacks Gadd played by Tom Goodman-Hill.

Sean Foley, an actor, writer, director, who is currently running the Spitting Image The Musical, has gone to the police after allegations made against him.

He said: “Police have been informed and are investigating all defamatory abusive and threatening posts against me.”

West Midlands Police confirmed it had launched a probe into the claims.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We’re investigating after a man reported receiving threatening messages on social media.

“Enquiries are at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering information from the victim.”

Speculation on social media platforms such as X, formerly Twitter, and TikTok around who the real Martha and Darrien are has been rife.

One video online claiming to have found the real woman who stalked Gadd has been viewed nearly two million times.

But the Baby Reindeer creator urged fans to stop the speculation.

Writing on Instagram, he said: “Hi everyone, people I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation.

“Please don’t speculate on who any of the real-life people could be.

“That’s not the point of our show. Lots of love, Richard.”

Jessica Gunning, who plays Martha in Baby Reindeer, urged fans not to find the real people who inspired the drama. Netflix

Gunning, who played Martha, said it was “sad” that fans were trying to uncover her character’s identity.

She told BBC Scotland’s The Edit that some viewers had “missed the point of the show”.

She said: “If you like the show and you are a fan of it, you should stick with the story of Martha and Donny being what connects you, not trying to do any detective work and find out any real identities.

“I think it is quite sad and I would urge them to watch the show again and see that that was not the point of the show at all.”