Richard Gadd has appealed to viewers to refrain from speculating about "Baby Reindeer."

British comedian Richard Gadd, creator of the Netflix series "Baby Reindeer," has appealed to fans to refrain from speculating about the real-life identities of characters depicted in the show.

The series portrays Gadd's personal experience of being stalked over several years, with some characters representing real individuals. However, Gadd has expressed concern that people close to him are being unfairly implicated in speculation about the identities of these characters.

In particular, viewers have been discussing the identity of a male TV writer portrayed in the series as assaulting Gadd's character. Gadd, who is an ambassador for We Are Survivors, a charity supporting male survivors of sexual abuse, emphasized that speculation about real-life individuals is not the intention of the show.

Gadd's plea came after some individuals mentioned in connection with certain characters notified police due to the online speculation. He urged fans not to engage in such speculation and reminded them of the show's primary message.

"Baby Reindeer" originated as a one-man stage show performed by Gadd at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe before being adapted into a Netflix series. The show has received acclaim, but its release has prompted viewers to delve into social media in an attempt to uncover the true identities of the characters, despite Gadd's efforts to protect their anonymity.

The situation highlights the challenges of navigating privacy and online sleuthing in an era where personal information is readily accessible. Gadd's request underscores the importance of respecting the privacy of individuals involved in real-life events depicted in the series.