Baby Reindeer review: Richard Gadd’s female stalker drama on Netflix has everyone talking

Baby Reindeer

Streaming now on Netflix

“You need to see this show” — six words I hear a lot in my life. People are always desperate to share their latest TV obsessions with me.

I’m happy to hear them out, but in all honesty, most times I’ve already seen it months earlier. I just nod and smile.

There was one instance this week, though, where this was not the case.

You know when you hear about something for the first time, and then you hear it mentioned again five times in the space of 24 hours?

That happened with Baby Reindeer. Everyone I knew was watching it and obsessively talking about it, and for some reason it had totally passed me by.

What was it about this series, based on Richard Gadd’s acclaimed stand-up show (later turned into a West End play) about his experiences dealing with a female stalker, that had everyone so intrigued?

I tuned in to find out and — wow.

It’s the story: bizarre, troubling and darkly disturbing. And also the performances, exceptional to a fault, particularly that of Gadd (who plays Donny, a fictionalised version of himself) and Jessica Gunning, who is the character of Martha, his stalker. Nava Mau, who stars as Donny’s lover, is also terrific.

A series rarely leaves me speechless, but this absolutely floored me, particularly episode four, which takes the series in a new, extremely troubling direction.

I’m so glad I listened to my friends and checked it out.

It wasn’t an easy watch, and days later I’m still thinking about it, but that’s the measure of a brilliant TV series, and that’s why I love what I do.

Keep those suggestions coming!

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz

Thursday, streaming on Stan

If you’ve read Heather Morris’ 2018 book — and chances are you have, it was enormously popular — you’ll no doubt be steeling yourself for this small-screen adaptation, which sees Jonah Hauer-King and Harvey Keitel taking on the titular character of Holocaust survivor Lale Sokolov.

There’s an embargo in place so I can’t tell you much, but if you’ve seen the promos for this, you’ll know that it looks beautiful and brutal in equal measure.

This one will also be a tough watch.

After The Party

Tonight, 8.30pm, ABC

This series, starring Upper Middle Bogan’s Robyn Malcolm — she’s always outrageously good in everything — has been described as New Zealand’s best TV drama in years. This should be on your radar.

Hacks S3

Friday, streaming on Stan

Having seen the trailer for the third series of Hacks, I’m more excited than ever for the show’s return this week — Jean Smart is SERVING. Didn’t think this would return, so season three feels like a happy bonus.

Clarkson’s Farm S3

Friday, streaming on Prime Video

Love him, hate him, you have to admit: Jeremy Clarkson makes good TV. And the third season of his popular reality series is off to a flying start. Everything that could go wrong does, and something tells me the next few months will not be smooth sailing. Wanna hate this, but alas, I’m invested.