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Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd says ‘there are still tough days’ despite show’s huge success
Virgin Radio
9 Aug 2024, 09:01
Credit: Netflix
Writer, actor and comedian Richard Gadd has spoken about the “dark days” that he experiences, despite the fact that his Netflix show, Baby Reindeer, has become a worldwide smash hit.
In the series, he plays a fictional version of himself, called Donny. Adapted from Gadd's autobiographical one-man show, the narrative sees him dealing with a female stalker called Martha (played by Jessica Gunning), and forced to face a dark, buried trauma.
In a new interview, the Scottish star has spoken about the show, and whether it required courage to be self-critical in the show, and about the "tough days" he still experiences.
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Speaking to Deadline, he said: “I don’t consider myself a celebrity — perish the thought — but in celebrity culture there’s this disconnect, where we look at the people sitting on Graham Norton’s couch, and they’re describing their perfect lives. But everyone, at any stage in life, has struggles, and I think being honest about them, and especially being in the public eye and being honest about your struggles, and your personal battles, is a good thing to do.
“I think it would be of benefit to society if people stop being so apparently perfect all the time. I hoped it would benefit television, to present a narrative where somebody makes mistakes, and owns up to them."
Saying that people - including celebs - are “scared to own up to their mistakes, for whatever reason,” Richard said: “I don’t see why, because a lot of people sitting at home are going through those same kinds of struggles, thinking, ‘God, if I were just famous, all my problems would go away.’ And that’s a key part of Baby Reindeer; Donny thinks fame will be his solution, but nothing external will ever solve something internal, and that’s something I’ve learned in life."
He added: “So, I think communicating these struggles to the world is good, because it breaks down a barrier that I think is helpful for people.
The Baby Reindeer creator explained: “Ambition is great, but sometimes setting those kinds of goalposts for yourself is dangerous.”
He added: “Ambition can bring a lot of happiness, but I think internal satisfaction and happiness does come from having a certain ease on yourself, and a certain way of thinking and receiving the world.”
Saying that it’s "an ongoing process," Richard admitted: "Baby Reindeer is one of the biggest shows in Netflix history, and I still struggle with some of the themes in it, despite the fact there’s been a lot of acceptance around them. I still have my dark days.”
Regarding the trauma that is outlined in Baby Reindeer, Richard said: “I’ve achieved a certain level of catharsis,” be added: “It’s not about getting over it. It’s about working to live with it. That’s a phrase that comes up a lot in the work I’ve done. Every person’s journey is slightly different, but there are still tough days. Days you just have to ride out a bit.”
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix.
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