Baby Reindeer is smashing record after record for Netflix. With 22M views, it has propelled the careers of the star cast to amazing heights. However, right from the get-go, the Netflix show was plagued by several controversies.
A fresh report claims that the creator & lead star, Richard Gadd, allegedly dated a trans actress who auditioned for a prominent role in the production. Scandalous details about the alleged story were unearthed by Deadline which bring yet more negative coverage for the popular series.
Richard Gadd Allegedly Dated a Trans Actress Who Auditioned for Baby Reindeer
Actress Reece Lyons, who is known for her work in Hanna (2019), took to Twitter to post a lengthy thread on X that is allegedly about Baby Reindeer’s creator and actor, Richard Gadd, as per Deadline. While Lyons didn’t name any names in her thread, the publication verified Gadd’s identity.
You can read the entire thread here:
In light of recent conversations surrounding a newly released Netflix show, I have decided to come forward and share my experience with this individual throughout the casting process.
Please read the thread below for further context.
🧵
— Reece Lyons (@reecelyons_) April 16, 2024
She recalled their first meeting where supposedly Gadd asked her to audition for the role of his ex-girlfriend who was also trans.
“We split off from his friend, and he began to tell me about his upcoming Netflix show that he had written. The role in question was that of his ex-girlfriend, a trans woman. ‘I didn’t treat her the best,’ he said. I wondered what that meant.”
When Lyons replied that she was interested in the offer and asked Gadd to get in touch with her agent, she stated that he admitted he had another request – he wanted the two to date. Lyons wrote,
“I told him I was interested in auditioning and asked him to get in touch with my agent at the time. ‘But there is one other thing,’ he said. ‘What? I replied. ‘I find you really attractive.’”
Lyons was, rightfully, confused. She thought to herself why would he want her to play the role of his ex, whom he mistreated, and date her at the same time? Regardless, Lyons went back home and read the script of Baby Reindeer and was “awestruck and yet simultaneously horrified.” She particularly wasn’t a fan of how Gadd treated his trans-ex-girlfriend.
Still, Lyons added, that when Gadd asked her out on a date, she agreed. However, when the actress tried to further probe into the comedian’s “tendency to fetishize trans women,” she recalled how he apparently got super defensive.
“Suddenly, I was met with an intense and emotionally dysregulated reaction. He was highly defensive and dismissive towards any observations I had to share with him.”
The role in question seems to be that of Teri, a therapist he met on a trans dating site. In the end, the character was played by actress Nava Mau.
Reece Lyons Didn’t Clear the Audition
After ending things with Gadd, Lyons stated that he hit her up once again to restart their romantic relationship. While she had her doubts, she was worried saying no to him would mean butchering her chance to be a part of the Netflix miniseries. Thus, their relationship was quickly back on track.
Despite everything, Lyons stated that Gadd called her up one day to let her know that she hadn’t cleared the audition and that he was breaking up with her.
“’Your audition was exceptional,’ he said as he consoled me over the phone. ‘But it’s out of my hands. Netflix is looking for somebody who’s already a star.’… ‘But what about us?’ I asked him, ‘It’s not going to work. You’re too confrontational for me.’”
While Lyons admitted that she was not a victim of any type of abuse, she sure did feel hurt by Gadd’s apparent actions.
According to Deadline, Gadd was investigated by Baby Reindeer’s producer Clerkenwell Films, who eventually cleared him of any wrongdoings. Still, his professional ethics are sure to be questioned by many.
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix.
