Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd Talks About the Real-Life Darrien

The new hit Netflix show, Baby Reindeer, captivated viewers with its dark yet realistic plot. As you may already know, shortly after the show premiered, it was revealed that not only is the show based on a true story, but it is the personal story of the director and main actor, Richard Gadd. Baby Reindeer serves as Gadd's autobiography, recounting the harrowing events he experienced in his twenties. Despite its disturbing nature, all the characters in the show are individuals whom Richard encountered in real life, and who inflicted harm upon him.

Darrien is one of the antagonists who plays a significant role in Donny's (Richard's) mental health struggles due to the traumatic experiences he caused. Following the revelation that the events and characters in Baby Reindeer are real, fans began speculating about the true identity of Darrien.

Our latest article delves into recent accusations made by online investigators against innocent individuals. Richard Gadd responded, urging everyone to cease their efforts, as this was not the intended purpose of the show and innocent people were being unfairly blamed. Nonetheless, Richard Gadd has previously discussed the real Darrien in interviews without disclosing his identity. Discover what the main actor of Baby Reindeer had to say about his interactions with his abuser.

Table of Contents:

• Who Is Darrien in Baby Reindeer and What Did He Do to Donny?
• Richard Gadd's Opinion on Darrien and His Scenes 

Who Is Darrien in Baby Reindeer and What Did He Do to Donny?

Although Baby Reindeer primarily focuses on Donny's stalking experience, it also delves into the main character's traumatic past, providing insight into his complex issues. Each layer of Donny's struggles unveils a darker part of his history, shaping him into the person he is today.

Darrien plays a significant role in Donny's development of trauma. In his early twenties, Donny travels to Edinburgh as an aspiring young comedian, seeking opportunities to showcase his talent and kickstart his career. While networking, Donny encounters Darrien, the writer of a show called Cotton Mouth.

The two quickly form a bond and begin spending a lot of time together. Darrien supports Donny's comedy aspirations and helps him secure bigger gigs with larger audiences. However, their relationship takes a dark turn when Darrien begins pressuring Donny to use drugs. Initially, it starts with occasional use of milder substances, but soon escalates to weekends spent indulging in heavy drugs.

Despite recognizing the harmful nature of their activities, Donny clings to his sole path to success. Sadly, the abuse doesn't end with drugs. Darrien repeatedly sexually assaults Donny while he is unconscious, and despite his revulsion, Donny continues to return to Darrien's apartment whenever summoned. Suddenly, their communication ceases, and they go years without seeing each other. During this time, Donny grapples with the weight of these traumatic memories, which gradually erode various aspects of his life.

In the final episode of Baby Reindeer, Donny revisits Darrien's apartment after years of separation. Darrien acts as though nothing untoward ever occurred between them and even proposes they collaborate again, to which Donny reluctantly agrees. Donny remains unable to overcome his trauma and fails to stand up to his abuser.

Richard Gadd's Opinion on Darrien and His Scenes

It's hard to imagine how anyone could manage not only to tell their story of abuse but also to relive it all again for the sake of the show. You might be wondering, why would anyone do that to themselves. Well, it wasn't always easy for Richard Gadd either. In a video taken behind the scenes of the Netflix show, the director and main actor describe how self-conscious his past made him:

"Oh my God, everyone’s going to know my [expletive]. Oh my God, everyone’s gonna know what happened to me."

Baby Reindeer feels incredibly personal because it truly is. Richard Gadd shares his story with multiple perspectives and various facets, providing a profound understanding of different forms of abuse and their impact on individuals.

“It’s a true story, based on my early 20s when I went through some pretty crazy things… There’s a flashback episode where we actually go back in time to Donny going to the Edinburgh Fringe and meeting someone in the industry who helps them in their career but goes on to abuse Donny and that’s obviously taken from my real-life experiences. "

Donny's initial encounter with Darrien marks the beginning of a downward spiral that gradually leads him to the lowest point of his life. Richard, who lived through the experiences depicted on screen, has emphasized the significance of Baby Reindeer in numerous interviews. The show's purpose extends beyond being a mere autobiography; it aims to raise awareness and foster understanding among its audience. Despite the challenges, Gadd successfully completed Baby Reindeer, employing a uniquely intimate storytelling approach that offers profound insight into the mindset of a victim.

“It was a hell of a thing to write and shoot. It shows a side of abuse that I don’t think we’ve seen before. I still think there’s an idea that sexual abuse is a pill in a drink and dissolves and someone wakes up and doesn’t know where they are and that does happen, and it’s a big problem, but a lot of abuse occurs in very intimate relationships. I wanted to show how complicated and psychologically messed up situations could get to.” 

The show addresses important topics that are often overlooked. By sharing his story with Darrien, he not only found healing from his past but also gained the ability to assist those who have yet to reach a similar level of inner peace.

I hope when people see it who have been through similar things, that they feel less shame about it, they feel emboldened to take it on in their life and deal with it where they don’t see it as a dent on their character in some way. I hope it provides peace. I think it would have provided peace for me.

Richard Gadd described his scenes with Darrien as perhaps some of the most authentic in the show. They represent the type of abuse that many people endure and highlight the difficulty of leaving such a toxic relationship. The director's candidness on topics like sexual assault, depression, and stalking is what makes this show a must-watch and contributes to its well-deserved success.