Baby Reindeer star ‘investigated after dating actress who auditioned for Teri’-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Richard Gadd has been investigated by the production company for Netflix (Picture: Netflix/Baby Reindeer)

Richard Gadd has allegedly been questioned over his professional conduct after dating a transgender actress who auditioned for Baby Reindeer.

Reece Lyons was auditioning for the part of Donny’s (Gadd) partner Teri in the Netflix series, but Nava Mau was eventually selected to play the character.

Clerkenwell Films, who produced the series, investigated creator and star Gadd, 34, about dating Lyons in 2021, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing, reports Deadline. He had allegedly not previously disclosed the relationship.

Five days after Baby Reindeer was released, Lyons posted a thread on X, where she did not mention Gadd or the show directly, but the publication confirmed the identity. The April 16 posts are said to be what led to the investigation.

‘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,’ she began.

Lyons claims she met a man after one of her shows, who offered to buy her a drink, congratulated her on the performance, and encouraged her to audition for a part in his show.

The role of Teri was played by Mau (Picture: Netflix/Alamy Stock Photo)

‘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.

‘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”.’

She has made clear that she does not believe she is a victim of abuse, but disagrees with ‘conflating a work opportunity with a dating dynamic’.

Teri is the partner of Donny (Picture: Netflix/Planet Photos)

‘It astounded me how somebody who spoke so openly and poignantly within the context of his career about how a power dynamic with an older and more established writer quickly led to an abuse of power and the devastating effects this had on him,’ she said.

‘Could then, in turn, become the very same person who recreated a strikingly similar power dynamic with me years later, where I found myself, ten years his junior, now auditioning for his show.’

Donny is stalked by Martha, played by Jessica Gunning (Picture: Ed Miller/Netflix)

Baby Reindeer tells the harrowing true story of one man’s experience of being stalked as he also recovers from the trauma of sexual assault and rape. It also addresses the abuse of power in the TV industry.

Deadline reports Lyons and Gadd went on four dates between October and November 2021.

Lyons claims after her audition, she was called by the man she had dated: ‘”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.” And that was it.’

The final casting decisions were not made by Gadd, but he did give feedback to production on audition tapes, Deadline understands.

The show’s popularity has led to people trying to figure out who the ‘real people’ are, and a lawyer has issued a warning.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix and Richard Gadd’s representatives for comment.

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