Following the success of Baby Reindeer’s debut on Netflix, the show’s creator, Richard Gadd (Wedding Season, Sex Education), is returning to the streamer for future projects. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos (The Black Godfather, Okja) confirmed on Tuesday that the Scottish comedian, actor and writer has signed a multi-year, first-look deal for scripted series.
“I can give you a bit of news this morning, we have finished our first-look deal with Richard Gadd to do his first work at Netflix,” Sarandos said at the Royal Television Society’s London Convention. “I think he’s a brilliant storyteller… I’m very proud of Richard of the story he told and the way he told it, and it is his true story.”
Baby Reindeer debuted on Netflix in April to rave reviews. The series tells the story of struggling comedian Donny Dunn, played by Gadd, who finds himself being stalked and harassed by a convicted criminal named Martha, played by Jessica Gunning (The Outlaws, Pride). The show is based on Gadd’s hit play, which is the same name, and was inspired by his own experience with a stalker.
In June, the series became the focus of a defamation lawsuit filed against Netflix by a woman named Fiona Harvey. The plaintiff alleges that Gunning’s character is based on her and that the portrayal defames her character.
While the lawsuit remains unresolved, Baby Reindeer has still been garnering viewership and praise for Netflix. The series was nominated for 11 Emmy awards, and during Sunday night’s ceremony, it won a total of four. Gadd took home two awards for acting and writing; Gunning took home one for her portrayal of Martha and the series as a whole won an award for Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series.
In addition to his deal with Netflix, Gadd is also working on a new series in collaboration with HBO and BBC. The six-episode drama is called Lions and is about two estranged brothers and their relationship over the course of forty years.