Given the show’s popularity—it has reached number 1 on Netflix charts in over 30 countries—it’s no surprise that Internet sleuths have worked collectively to discover the stalker’s real identity.
Speaking with theDailyMail, the unnamed 58-year-old woman said she thought the script amounted to “bullying an older woman on television for fame and fortune” and claimed that she had received online “death threats and abuse from Richard Gadd supporters.”
“I’m the victim. He’s written a bloody show about me,” she said of the Scottish actor, writer, and comic.
Image credits:Netflix
The woman in question shares many similarities with Martha’s character: they’re both Scottish, around 20 years older than Gadd, studied law at university, and have a history ofstalking.
They also look alike. The London resident told the news outlet that her on-screen persona “sort of looks like [her] after [she] put on four stone during lockdown, but [she’s] not actually unattractive.”
“I am very attractive. He’s not Brad Pitt,” she added.
The 58-year-old woman is speaking out after Internet sleuths unmasked heridentity
The woman’s claims come after the creator of the seven-part series urged viewers not to unmask the real-life Martha.
“Hi, everyone. People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation,” the 34-year-old wrote.
“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.”
The show’s creator isn’t the only one to have raised concerns about viewers’ attempts to uncover the characters’ true identities. Recently, a lawyer has warned people about the consequences of accusing individuals of the seriouscrimesportrayed on the show.
“Seeking out and potentially naming individuals involved in a case, especially if they turn out to be the wrong person, carries significant legal and ethical implications,” Mark Woloshak, head of litigation at Howells Solicitors, toldLadBible.
Doing so could “undermine the privacy and safety of individuals who may have no connection to the events portrayed,” thelawyeradded.
“I have a claim against Netflix as this isbeing billedas part of a true story,” the unnamed woman said
The woman continues to assert that she has neverstalkedGadd and is prepared to sue Netflix over her portrayal in the series.
“I have a claim against Netflix as this is being billed as part of a true story,” she told the Scottish Sun. “People are probably saying I’m a mass murderer. This can’t continue. I will kick their a**es.”
She’s even considering representing herself in court. “I’m a highly competent lawyer. I’d have to do it myself. I’m very good. I have a photographic memory and can memorize huge files. I was top in my school at everything,” sheinsisted.
According to Rory Lynch, a lawyer specializing in defamation and privacy at Gateley Legal, the Scottish womanmay have a basisto pursue a defamation lawsuit if she can prove that the claims made in the show are false and have caused her “serious harm,” such as online harassment.
She also said that Gadd’s script amounted to “bullying an older woman on television for fame and fortune”
Gadd shared that, over four years, his stalker sent him 41,071 emails, 350 hours of voicemail, 744 tweets, 46 Facebook messages, and 106 pages.
Although the comedian denounced the situation to the police, he says law enforcement paid little attention to his words because of the stalker’s gender.
“When a man gets stalked, it can be portrayed in films and television as a sexy thing,” heexplained. “Like a femme fatale who gradually becomes more sinister.”
Now, the supposed real-life Martha is ready to tell her side of the story and respond to the backlash in an upcoming book.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), shewrote, “Those wondering about my alleged involvement in that show, all I can say is I have a tell-all book coming out soon. I’m also going to make my own show detailing my side of events.”
“Maybe an album and a diss track. Possibilities are endless.”
Lei RV
Karina Babenok
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