Richard Gadd: From Niche Comedian to Global Megastar
In a remarkable turn of events, Richard Gadd has catapulted from being a relatively unknown Scottish comedian to a global megastar, all thanks to the viral success of his autobiographical miniseries, Baby Reindeer. The show, which documents his harrowing experience of stalking and sexual abuse, has become one of Netflix’s Top 10 most viewed shows of all time since its release in April last year. The series has also garnered an impressive six Emmy awards, four Golden Globe awards, and six TV Bafta nominations.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Gadd opens up about his whirlwind journey, discussing the impact of Baby Reindeer’s success on his life and the challenges he has faced in the wake of the show’s release. When asked how it feels to be nominated for six TV Baftas, Gadd reveals, “It was a lovely surprise. Baby Reindeer has been out for quite a while, so my worry was that everyone would have forgotten about it. The biggest surprise was the fact that it blew up in the first place, because nothing about it screamed commercial hit.”
The Guardian reports that Gadd’s life has undergone a significant transformation since Baby Reindeer’s release. He recounts, “It came out on a Thursday, and by Sunday people were knocking on my door asking for autographs. I was an arthouse comedian, performing to five people every night, so it was a huge adjustment. I’m still getting used to it. Going to the supermarket comes with a million caveats now.” As noted by The Guardian, Gadd’s experience is a far cry from his previous life as a relatively unknown comedian.
Gadd’s Baby Reindeer is a poignant exploration of his experiences with stalking and sexual abuse, and The Guardian highlights that the show has sparked a significant conversation about these issues. When discussing the show’s impact, Gadd reflects, “Weirdly, I never wanted fame. I just liked the idea that, one day, I would make a piece of art that was culturally important, because then maybe I would learn to like myself. The biggest emotion that comes with fame is a sort of paranoia in public.”
The article from The Guardian also touches on the controversy surrounding Baby Reindeer, including the lawsuit filed by Fiona Harvey against Netflix. Gadd shares, “There have been a lot of challenging moments. The show has reached such an extreme pitch – there have been times when I’ve felt like the pressure was intolerable. It’s been a hurricane. I don’t think I’m at the point of reflection yet. I need some real time off to figure out how to get my feet back on ground, because I feel very squeezed.”
As The Guardian reports, Gadd is now working on a new BBC show, Half Man, co-starring Jamie Bell. When asked if he would ever return to standup comedy, Gadd reveals, “I get a lot of offers, but think my standup days are over. I never really fitted in – the standup I did was so different and quite dark. People wouldn’t book me, because I was a risk, so there was no future in it for me.”
The Bafta Television Awards with P&O Cruises will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer tonight at 7pm, featuring a lineup of nominees, including Richard Gadd. The Guardian notes that Gadd’s story serves as a testament to the power of art to bring about cultural change and spark important conversations. As Gadd himself notes, “We’ve now realised how commonplace assault is. The shame around it is dwindling.”
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