Netflix is reportedly offering Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd a ‘seven-figure deal’ to work on another show for the streaming service.
It’s now been nearly three months since his black comedy was released on Netflix, with the seven-episode series seeing Gadd play amateur comedian Donny who over the course of several years is stalked and abused by Martha, played by Jessica Gunning.
It’s now become one of Netflix’s most popular TV shows of all time, however, has also seen the streamer facing a £132 million lawsuit from Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, the ‘real life Martha’.
Despite the looming court case, Netflix is said to be drawing up a contract with Gadd to get him to produce more content and avoid him being snapped up by another broadcaster.
‘This is not a done deal, with both the streamer and Richard negotiating the details of a contract which would see him start work on a new show as soon as possible,’ a TV source has said.
‘The fact that it could end up being worth seven figures reflects just how much Netflix want to keep him ‘in house’ following the incredible response to Baby Reindeer.
‘They are hoping they can come to an agreement that will see Richard produce a string of shows for them, which could prove just as successful and thought-provoking,’ they added when speaking to The Sun.
Despite this possible deal, HBO has already announced a new show created by Gadd.
The 35-year-old has created the drama called Lions, with the series following two estranged brothers over 40 years.
It is being co-produced by the BBC and HBO, with casting yet to be announced.
Soon after Baby Reindeer’s release, internet sleuths tracked down Harvey, who is now demanding $170,000,000 for her supposed depiction in the series.
She is alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and violations of her right of publicity.
Last month her lawyer Richard Roth said ‘there is a lot of money to be made’ in the legal action.
In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Roth said his client would ‘certainly’ give evidence in court, while they were also planning on having Gadd and ‘a string of people at Netflix testifying as to what they did’.
The lawyer said he believed he had a ‘very, very strong case’ and concluded that it ‘could be a watershed moment for streaming TV’.
However, Netflix has previously said it ‘intends to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix and representatives for Richard Gadd for comment.
Baby Reindeer is streaming on Netflix.
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