Finally, "Baby Reindeer" leaves out the real-life Martha's fate. In the show, police finally take action and arrest Martha. She pleads guilty to three counts of stalking and harassment and is sentenced to nine months in prison. Richard Gadd's character Donny Dunn also takes out a five-year restraining order on her. The last time they see each other is during her plea hearing.
In reality, though, Martha never faced any prison time — this is where "Baby Reindeer's" narrative differs the most from its real-life events. Gadd told The Times in 2024 that he "didn't want to throw someone who was that level of mentally unwell in prison." Before that in 2019, The Guardian wrote that Martha was "still at large, and until recently has been harassing his [Gadd's] friends and family." At the same time, she was "finally restrained" from getting into contact with Gadd. However this played out, and what exactly happened, is anyone's guess.
Back in 2019, Gadd also said that the release of "Monkey See Monkey Do" seemed to have deterred Martha's stalking. "Maybe seeing this in the press has made her think twice about her behavior," he told The Guardian. Judging by the real Martha's recent statements about "Baby Reindeer," however, she seems to have changed her mind about getting re-involved in Gadd's life. Only time will tell how things unfold from here.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
