WITH its gripping plot about stalking, Baby Reindeer has got everybody talking.
The Netflix series follows a man who is relentlessly perused by an obsessed woman, here we take a look at where the series was shot.
Baby Reindeer‘s harrowing plot is based on Scottish comedian and leading star Richard Gadd’s real-life experience of having a female stalker.
At first he turned his traumatic story into a critically-acclaimed play, before Netflix made it into a series of the same name.
Baby Reindeer follows struggling comedian Donny (based on Richard Gadd) who works in a pub to support himself.
His life takes a shocking turn when he offers a woman named Martha (played by Jessica Gunning) a cup of tea, and she becomes obsessed with him.
Donny initially appreciates the attention he’s getting from Martha and flirts with her.
However, she soon crosses the boundary from friend to stalker, which brings to light Donny’s past trauma of sexual abuse.
The much-talked about series was filmed both in Scotland and England.
Locations used in England
Hoxton
The London borough of Hoxton is featured twice in Baby Reindeer.
In the opening episode, we see Donny take Martha for a cup of tea in a cafe. This is where her obsession starts and his stalking nightmare begins.
The scene was filmed at family-run pie and mash shop called F. Cooke.
The second Hoxton location was The Stag’s Head.
The public house’s exterior was turned into The Hart Pub where Donny works.
Vauxhall
Donny takes therapist Teri (transgender star Nava Mau) on a date in Vauxhall.
The evening quickly spirals out of control after he takes cocaine and drinks way too much.
The location used for filming was the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Stoke Newington
The Army& Navy pub in Stoke Newington was used as the venue for Donny’s stand-up gig.
Fans will remember him trying to perform his act while regulars were trying to watch the football.
Filming Baby Reindeer was tough, I can’t deny. I mean, who in their right mind wants to revisit the worst thing that ever happened to them?
Richard Gadd
It’s here that Donny meets evil Darrien O’Connor (Tom Goodman-Hill), the man who goes onto sexually abuse him.
Leicester Square
The legendary Comedy Store in London’s Leicester Square was used to show how far Donny has come in his career by the end of the series.
The venue is seen as a rite of passage for comedians, and in the final episode we see the protagonist perform there.
The scene follows his viral meltdown in an earlier gig and brings a long-awaited moment of triumph for Donny.
Greenwich
Greenwich Magistrates Court was used for two important scenes in Baby Reindeer.
The south-east London location was used as the court where Martha eventually faces justice.
But production also filmed the police station scenes there, which occur when Donny goes to report his stalking nightmare.
Locations used in Scotland
Edinburgh
The Hoppy in Meadowbank is used as an Edinburgh Fringe venue in the show, where Donny performs.
Filming took place towards the end of lockdown.
Other locations used in the Scottish capital were the Grassmarket and Royal Mile.
Speaking about filming Baby Reindeer, creator and leading man Richard Gadd revealed it was “hard” to relive the trauma he had gone through.
Speaking to Variety, he said: “It was tough, I can’t deny. I mean, who in their right mind wants to revisit the worst thing that ever happened to them?
“The worst period of their life? Of course, it affects you and leaves a bit of an imprint on you.
“But at the same time, I do sometimes feel that revisiting pain and re-experiencing things can lead to a better understanding of them.”
Baby Reindeer by numbers
The Netflix series has become quite the breakout smash hit...
- 7 Number of episodes in the series
- 30 Number of countries the series has topped the Netflix chart in
- 64 Percentage increase in viewers the show earned in its second week, compared to its first
- 97 The show’s percentage score on industry bible Rotten Tomatoes
- 41,071 Amount of emails Richard claims he was sent by the real life Martha
- 13.3 million Number of viewers who tuned into the show during its first week
How to watch Baby Reindeer
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix now.
The seven-part miniseries dropped on April 11, 2024,
Fans who have binge-watched the series took to X, formerly Twitter, to discuss their thoughts.
One fan said: “Binged all of Baby Reindeer on Netflix yesterday and it’s just completely incredible.”
“Richard Gadd is brilliant in Baby Reindeer! If you haven’t seen it on Netflix, you have too!!!! It’s absolutely mind blowing!” praised another.
A third commented: “It goes from funny, weird & creepy, all the way to being genuinely harrowing. not an easy watch, but feels like a really important one.”
What to do if you suspect you're being stalked
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, tells Sun Online: “The perpetrators commonly obtain details about you via online information of personal and financial affairs, social and work life, relationships and your location.
As a starting point, ensure only the minimum information about you is available online and take stalking seriously.
Report it before it has serious effects on you and others and keep a record of all that takes place so you collate evidence whilst it is happening.
For expert advice visit Get Safe Online.”