Netflix has announced a new deal with Richard Gadd, the creator of “Baby Reindeer,” despite facing a £129 million lawsuit. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos commended Gadd as a “brilliant storyteller” during the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference. Sarandos highlighted the uniqueness of Gadd’s story and expressed pride in facilitating storytellers like Gadd to share their true stories.
Sarandos revealed the completion of a first look deal with Gadd for his upcoming work at Netflix. “Baby Reindeer” has achieved success, winning four Emmy Awards this year, with Gadd receiving three of the awards for his contributions to the series. The show, inspired by Gadd’s real-life experiences, faced controversy when a woman claimed the story inaccurately depicted her as a character named Martha.
In response to the new deal, Gadd expressed excitement to continue his creative journey with Netflix, praising the platform for supporting him early in his television career. Sarandos shared insights on Netflix’s commitment to UK-produced content, with shows like “Baby Reindeer” being among the top performers in the platform’s yearly engagement report. He also hinted at future plans for live events on Netflix.
Sarandos opened the conference by lauding the UK as a hub for quality television production, citing shows like “The Crown” and “Bridgerton” as examples of British creativity and talent. He highlighted Netflix’s significant investment in UK content and expressed admiration for the ambition displayed in British-made shows and films. Additionally, he emphasised Netflix’s aim to offer diverse content, including live events and unique programming experiences for viewers worldwide.