Baby Reindeer creator ‘investigated by producers over conduct’
- Richard Gadd was cleared over allegations of improper conduct
- Trans actor Reece Lyons said he dated her as she auditioned for Baby Reindeer
- Gadd created the show, which was about his experience of abuse and stalking
Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd has been accused of ‘unwisely’ dating an actress at the same time as she also auditioned for a part.
Reece Lyons, who wrote a series of tweets about the experience, said the comic had ‘conflated’ the two processes and she had been hurt by it.
It is the latest twist in an already gripping back-story to the surprise TV sensation, who has been cleared of professional misconduct by the production company he worked with.
Some 14 million people have been poring over every detail of Gadd’s much-talked about darkly comic drama based on his real life experiences of being stalked by a woman, ‘Martha’, after meeting her in a London pub.
The programme shows Martha’s obsession developing as she emails Gadd hundreds of times a day, turning up outside his house and harassing his family and friends.
For the past week, the focus has been on Martha, and the real-life version of her who has bitterly complained she was stalked by Gadd rather than the other way round.
Some 14 million people have been poring over every detail of Richard Gadd’s (pictured) much-talked about darkly comic drama based on his real life experiences of being stalked by a woman, ‘Martha’
Reece Lyons (pictured), who wrote a series of tweets about the experience of dating Gadd and auditioning for his show
But now Gadd faces claims from actress Ms Lyons, who auditioned to play the part of his transgender girlfriend Teri in the drama.
Ms Lyons, who is transgender herself, said she met Gadd in the bar after he had attended one of her stand-up performances.
She wrote on X: ‘He began to tell me about his upcoming Netflix show that he had written. The role in question was that of his ex-girlfriend, a trans woman.
‘I told him I was interested in auditioning and asked him to get in touch with my agent at the time. ‘But there is one other thing,’ he said. ‘What?’ I replied. ‘I find you really attractive’.’
Ms Lyons tweeted: ‘I said that I didn’t think the conflation of the upcoming audition and dating each other at the same time was wise, and he said that he understood.’
However the pair went on four dates between October and November 2021.
Ms Lyons wrote: ‘What if I say, no? Does that mean he would feel slighted, and I wouldn’t get the chance to audition?
The programme shows Martha’s obsession developing as she emails Gadd hundreds of times a day, turning up outside his house and harassing his family and friends
For the past week, the focus has been on Martha, and the real-life version of her who has bitterly complained she was stalked by Gadd rather than the other way round
Ms Lyons, who is transgender herself, said she met Gadd in the bar after he had attended one of her stand-up performances
Ms Lyons tweeted: ‘I said that I didn’t think the conflation of the upcoming audition and dating each other at the same time was wise, and he said that he understood’
‘He hurt me. I also understand that there was no conscious intent to do so.’
She stressed she did not see herself as a ‘victim’ of any ‘abuse’.
But she warned others to be wary of becoming involved in a casting process ‘where somebody is simultaneously conflating a work opportunity with a dating dynamic’.
Casting for Baby Reindeer was conducted by production company Clerkenwell Films. Hollywood website Deadline, which broke the story, said it understood Gadd did not have final approval on Baby Reindeer casting, but did give feedback to Clerkenwell Films on audition tapes.
A source close to Gadd stressed that he had no say in the final casting decision and said: ‘Any potential romantic relationship was ended by Richard Gadd in December 2021, three monthsthe formal casting process for Baby Reindeer began.’
In the end, Ms Lyons did not land the role, which instead went to actress Nava Mau.
On Twitter, Ms Lyons does not name Gadd or directly reference Baby Reindeer, but Deadline said it had verified his identity.
The website claimed Clerkenwell Films had investigated Ms Lyons’ comments after she made the company aware of her X posts.
In the end, Ms Lyons did not land the role, which instead went to actress Nava Mau (pictured)
Baby Reindeer has taken the world by storm
Gadd wrote for the show, and based it off his own experiences of being stalked and abused
It said Gadd had not previously disclosed the romantic liaison to Clerkenwell, and that Ms Lyons was not interviewed on the phone or in person as part of the investigation, with correspondence done in writing.
A Clerkenwell source said her account and other evidence was enough to conclude that Gadd had behaved professionally and casting decisions were not compromised.
Deadline said Ms Lyons did not wish to comment beyond her X thread.
The publication added that sources close to Gadd did not deny that conversations about an audition took place during the period in which they dated.
The Mail has contacted Gadd and Clerkenwell Films for comment.
