But is it wrong to be an armchair detective? Baby Reindeer has inspired amateur sleuths to unmask the real-life inspiration for its villain. Some worry that this might hurt the vulnerable.
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Low budget true story becomes TV smash hit
But is it wrong to be an armchair detective? Baby Reindeer has inspired amateur sleuths to unmask the real-life inspiration for its villain. Some worry that this might hurt the vulnerable.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper"><strong>Hunting season</strong></h2>
Baby Reindeer is the show television bosses dream of. It was made cheaply and released with little fanfareA short tune played on brass instruments, or lots of media attention. . But soon after appearing on NetflixA television and film streaming service. People pay each month to watch programmes on Netflix. , it exploded.
It has become the TV sensation of the year. In one week, it had 2.6 million viewers. The next week that increased to 13.3 million, then to 22 million after three.1
It has also received rave reviews. It earned the approval of legendary horror writer Stephen King. And it is expected to scoop up EmmyThe Emmy Awards are television industry awards. nominations.
Baby Reindeer is based on Gadd's experience as a struggling comedian harassed by a sinister stalker, called Martha in the show.
Some of the appeal comes from what Gadd has hidden. Fans have become armchair detectives, desperate to find the real-life inspirations behind the show's characters.
Every now and then we become thrilled by a juicy real-life mystery. True crime podcasts and shows command huge audiences eager to work out a solution.2
Some worry whether this is good for us. AmateurNot professional. sleuthingLooking for answers or clues. can have bad consequences. Baby Reindeer has led to a witch hunt for a real Martha. One suspect has reported facing death threats. Our mystery mania runs the risk of hurting people.3
It even can disrupt real detective work. After a British woman, Nicola Bulley, accidentally drowned last year, dozens of social media users stepped in. Many claimed it was a murder. The police had to work around conspiracy theoriesTheories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups..4
Yet it could be said that this is just human nature. Victorians were obsessed with Maria Manning5 and poured over the identity of Jack the RipperA serial killer in Victorian London who savagely murdered at least five women. The case intrigued the press and it received a great deal of coverage.. Humans often find pleasure in horrific stories.
True crime stories might be educational. They help us work out how to avoid becoming victims. Writer Roz Watkins says: "Stories, especially true stories, teach us about other people and about how to keep ourselves safe in the world."
But is it wrong to be an armchair detective?
Yes: We should leave things to the professionals. Those involved in an unsolved mystery are, at the end of the day, people with real lives and emotions. Armchair detecting often just ends up causing pain.
No: The ends often justify the means. The police can be poorly resourced, brutish and corrupt. Amateur sleuths can genuinely help to solve crimes that police and legal officials have got wrong.
Or... We all live our lives as if we are the main character. People have an urge to step in and become heroes in an exciting story. It is just part of human nature, however damaging the results.
Fanfare - A short tune played on brass instruments, or lots of media attention.
Netflix - A television and film streaming service. People pay each month to watch programmes on Netflix.
Emmy - The Emmy Awards are television industry awards.
Amateur - Not professional.
Sleuthing - Looking for answers or clues.
Conspiracy theories - Theories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups.
Jack the Ripper - A serial killer in Victorian London who savagely murdered at least five women. The case intrigued the press and it received a great deal of coverage.
Low budget true story becomes TV smash hit
Whodunit?: Baby Reindeer, starring comedian Richard Gadd (above) follows struggling comic Donny Dunn. Glossary
Fanfare - A short tune played on brass instruments, or lots of media attention.
Netflix - A television and film streaming service. People pay each month to watch programmes on Netflix.
Emmy - The Emmy Awards are television industry awards.
Amateur - Not professional.
Sleuthing - Looking for answers or clues.
Conspiracy theories - Theories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups.
Jack the Ripper - A serial killer in Victorian London who savagely murdered at least five women. The case intrigued the press and it received a great deal of coverage.