Richard Gadd’s “Baby Reindeer” took Netflix by storm with its unflinching portrayal of obsession, trauma, and personal survival. But behind the series’ tight, tense storytelling lies a surprising twist: an entire eighth episode was scrapped during production.
“Baby Reindeer”: The Push For a Breather
Speaking at the Future Vision 2025 conference in Melbourne, Gadd revealed to interviewer Tony Ayres that producers originally pushed for a lighter episode to offset the show’s intense tone. “When we were developing it, there was the note that kept coming in about the show being too dark,” Gadd said at the ACMI Theatre. “You need to give the audience a respite from it all.”
The now-deleted episode was meant to do just that—offering viewers a break as Donny, Gadd’s character, retreated from the chaos of London to visit his family in Scotland. It featured heartwarming scenes with his father (played by Mark Lewis Jones), including a soccer outing that allowed space for emotional reflection and lighter moments.
Despite good intentions, the episode ultimately didn’t serve the story. “I felt, in a lot of ways, the sooner you get back to her the better,” Gadd explained, referring to Martha Scott, the stalker character portrayed chillingly by Jessica Gunning.
As he watched early edits, Gadd realized the absence of Martha’s looming presence undercut the show’s driving tension. Her omnipresence was critical to keeping viewers emotionally engaged. “Removing Martha’s threat actually weakened the show’s intensity,” he concluded.
Cutting the episode meant significant script changes. The climax of the scrapped episode—a chilling scene where Martha invades Donny’s kitchen—was salvaged and reworked as the opening of the third episode. This required restructuring existing material to maintain continuity and emotional stakes.
Gadd admitted the decision wasn’t easy, especially since it meant losing substantial screen time for Mark Lewis Jones. “I was disappointed to lose Jones’ contribution,” he said, praising the actor’s “exceptional work” and noting audiences would miss seeing his full range.
Ultimately, the choice to focus on Martha and cut the “respite” episode strengthened the series. Critics and fans have praised “Baby Reindeer” for its relentless emotional grip and raw storytelling. The decision to lean into the discomfort instead of softening it has made the series all the more powerful.
Part of what makes “Baby Reindeer” so resonant is that it’s based on Gadd’s own experience. Adapted from his one-man stage show, the story explores his personal trauma with grooming and stalking, adding a layer of authenticity that hits home for many viewers.
However, the series has also faced legal challenges. Fiona Harvey, a Scottish lawyer, has filed a $170 million defamation suit, claiming the character of Martha is based on her and inaccurately portrays her as a criminal. While Gadd has remained silent due to legal reasons, Netflix has backed him, citing the importance of storytelling rooted in lived experience.
Even as the buzz around “Baby Reindeer” continues, Gadd is moving forward. He’s just wrapped production on a new series called Half Man for the BBC and HBO, starring Jamie Bell. The six-part drama focuses on fractured family relationships—another deeply personal, character-driven story that suggests Gadd isn’t afraid to keep pushing emotional boundaries. “Baby Reindeer” is streaming on Netflix.
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