Richard Gadd, the creator and lead actor of the acclaimed Netflix series Baby Reindeer, has disclosed the existence of a cut eighth episode that was removed prior to the show’s release. During a discussion at the Future Vision television summit in Melbourne, he explained the reasons behind the decision to eliminate the episode, originally set in Scotland.
Gadd shared his thoughts with fellow showrunner Tony Ayres, stating, “I really fought to cut an episode of Baby Reindeer. I really wanted to cut it.” The episode was intended as a lighter moment, showcasing the character of Donny Dunn, portrayed by Gadd, as he grapples with the obsessive attention of Martha Scott, played by Jessica Gunning. Martha, a former lawyer, becomes a stalker after meeting Donny while he worked in a London bar.
As Gadd articulated, there was consistent feedback from Netflix suggesting that the series was becoming “too dark” and that audiences needed a reprieve. “The note kept coming in – and probably rightfully so – that the show was just too dark,” he noted. The episode featured Donny escaping London to visit his parents in Scotland, intending to spend quality time with his father while attending a football match.
Despite the initial rationale for the cut, Gadd ultimately felt that the absence of Martha diminished the narrative impact. “When we got to the edit, I felt you miss her every time she’s not on screen,” he remarked. He indicated that the final version of the show is a blend of multiple episodes, with critical scenes from the scrapped episode incorporated into episode three.
The decision to cut the episode seems to have paid off, given that Baby Reindeer has garnered significant acclaim, achieving 96 million views on Netflix and winning three BAFTA awards along with six Emmys. Gadd himself received three Emmy awards for his work on the series. He expressed regret about the cut episode, particularly highlighting the talent of Mark Lewis Jones, who played his father. “It’s a shame because people will never quite realise how much he gave to that project,” Gadd reflected.
Based on two stage shows, Baby Reindeer draws on Gadd’s personal experiences with sexual abuse and stalking. The show has faced controversy, particularly regarding the portrayal of a character resembling Fiona Harvey, a Scottish lawyer. Harvey has filed a $170 million defamation lawsuit against Netflix, claiming inaccuracies regarding her criminal history were presented in the series.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Gadd remains unable to comment on the case due to potential legal implications. Nonetheless, the conversation at ACMI has shed light on the creative decisions behind one of Netflix’s hit series, highlighting the complexities of storytelling in the modern entertainment landscape.
