Richard Gadd: From Baby Reindeer to Secret Millionaire
Richard Gadd, the talented star of Baby Reindeer, is now officially a millionaire, as revealed by his latest tax return. This 35-year-old actor and writer is nominated for Best New Drama at the National Television Awards tonight, celebrating his remarkable journey since his show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 and later caught the attention of Netflix.
The seven-part series, based on Richard's true-life encounters with a stalker and, sadly, a rapist, has become one of the most talked-about offerings on the streaming service this year. It's clear that Richard is enjoying the fruits of his labor. According to Companies House, his company, RRSG Ltd, boasts over £1 million in assets, including an impressive sum of £819,959 in cash. His profits skyrocketed in 2023, quadrupling from the previous year thanks to the show's Netflix acquisition.
With Baby Reindeer being snapped up by Netflix in 2023, Richard's income has seen a substantial surge, solidifying his millionaire status. His company recorded profits of £836,233 this year, a significant rise from the £178,344 recorded in 2022. Yet, despite this incredible success, Richard has faced his share of challenges, describing some "daunting times" following the show's release, with harsh comments from people online and even confrontations on the street.
The Netflix hit draws inspiration from Richard's own experiences, with his character Donny being stalked by a woman named Martha, portrayed by Jessica Gunning, after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works. The storyline attracted media attention when the real-life "Martha," who remains unnamed, claimed to be the inspiration for Richard's stalker and filed a lawsuit against Netflix for inaccuracies. Netflix responded, clarifying that the real Martha was not convicted of stalking and that the show highlights that while based on real events, certain elements have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.
In an interview with US outlet Deadline, Richard shared his hopes for the legacy of Baby Reindeer You May Like: