19 SEP 2024

Netflix and Richard Gadd sign a multiyear scripted series first-look deal

The streamer and the producer, writer, and actor had previously worked together in “Baby Reindeer,” which received six statues at the 2024 Emmys.

19 SEP 2024

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Netflix has announced a new partnership with the award-winning producer, writer, and actor Richard Gadd to create more groundbreaking scripted television. After the success of “Baby Reindeer,” which received six statues at the 2024 Emmys, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed the news at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Convention, confirming an expanded relationship with a multiyear scripted series first-look deal with Netflix.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be continuing my creative journey with Netflix,” Gadd told Netflix. “They took a chance on me when I wasn’t proven in the television space; for that I will always be grateful. I look forward to the years ahead with Netflix, ideas with Ted, Bela [Bajaria], Anne [Mensah], Peter [Friedlander], and all the amazing staff who work at the company.”

Based on Gadd’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe one-man play, “Baby Reindeer” follows struggling comedian Donny Dunn’s (Gadd) warped relationship with his stalker, Martha (Jessica Gunning), and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deeply buried trauma. The darkly funny drama also stars Emmy nominee Nava Mau as Teri, a therapist and trans woman who meets Donny through a dating app, and Tom Goodman-Hill as Darrien, television writer and potential mentor to Donny.

The seven-episode series spent eight weeks on Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV list (English) after its release, and reached the Top 10 TV list in 92 countries. The series had 88.4 million views after 91 days, and won six Emmy Awards in the Limited or Anthology Series categories (including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Gadd, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Gunning, plus awards for writing, casting, and picture editing).

“It’s been a whirlwind since [‘Baby Reindeer’] came out,” Gadd added. “It’s been positive, it’s been overwhelming. I’ve had people coming up to me being like, ‘It’s allowed me and my family to talk about this thing that has hung over our family for so many years.’ There was a 53% rise in referrals to abuse charities, and stalking charities up 47%. That is not spoken about enough, I think, in all of the stuff that’s going on with ‘Baby Reindeer.’ Some of those responses, people seeking help, are some of the best responses of all. It’s worth it.”