In a lawsuit that promises more twists and turns than a Netflix original, Fiona Harvey is suing the streaming giant for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right of publicity. And what does she want for her troubles? Just a cool $170 million in damages. After all, you can’t put a price on dignity—unless, apparently, you can.

The bone of contention? The series 'Baby Reindeer', created by Richard Gadd and based on his personal experiences, features a character named Martha who allegedly bears a striking resemblance to Harvey. While Gadd insists that the show is based on real events but includes fictionalized elements for dramatic effect, Harvey claims the portrayal is about as accurate as a tourist map in a theme park.

Harvey asserts that she has never been convicted of a crime, sexually assaulted Gadd, attacked him, stalked him, or even entertained the notion of stalking a police officer. Yet the series paints a rosier picture of her exploits—rosy if you're the Grim Reaper’s social media manager, that is.

Given that 'Baby Reindeer' subtly signals its message of authenticity via a coy disclaimer about dramatization, the line between fact and fiction appears blurrier than an Impressionist’s fever dream. To further muddle things, Harvey claims she has faced online harassment from armchair detectives who identified her as the inspiration for Martha. When internet sleuths move quicker than a CSI team hopped up on espresso shots, you know you’re in trouble.

The situation has gotten so dire that Harvey reports experiencing emotional distress and fears going out in public or checking the news—which is probably sound advice under any circumstances. Adding fuel to the fiery lawsuit, a British lawyer named Laura Wray has also stepped into the ring, claiming that Harvey had stalked her as well.

Complicating matters further, Harvey hasn't watched a single episode of 'Baby Reindeer' but has still managed to form a less-than-flattering opinion of it. Labeling it as misogynistic, she also alleges that she received death threats following the show’s broadcast—because nothing says “cozy evening in” quite like a little bit of character assassination.

In her legal filing with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Harvey accuses Gadd and Netflix of portraying her as a twice-convicted stalker, sentenced to five years in prison, and even adds a sexual assault claim for good measure. Considering the lawsuit doesn’t name Gadd as a defendant, it appears Netflix alone is left holding the reindeer's reins.

Meanwhile, Netflix's UK public policy director, Benjamin King, has taken the diplomatic route, declining to discuss the specifics of the show’s making. “No comment” appears to be the only comment worth making in this scenario.

There are many facets to unpack in this high-stakes drama. For instance, why would Harvey, if entirely innocent, be the central figure in such a colorful narrative? Conversely, why would Netflix and Gadd go to such lengths to craft this story unless there was at least a scintilla of truth? It’s a narrative tighter than a drum, wrapped in intrigue and dipped in just enough scandal to make viewers wish it was all fiction.

Either way, this lawsuit might give “Baby Reindeer” a sequel—a courtroom drama guaranteed to be binge-worthy, with all the Majestic Antlers one could hope for. And as the case unfolds under the bright California sun, one thing is certain: antlers or not, this is going to get magnificently messy.

Sources: NBC, NY Post