Baby Reindeer is a 2024 black comedy miniseries directed by Weronika Tofilska and Josephine Bornebusch from the screenplay of Richard Gadd. For those who are curious about its filming locations, the shooting was done in Edinburgh.
Based on the real-life experience of comedian Richard Gadd with a dangerous stallker, the series consists of seven episodes, which all premiered on Netflix on April 11, 2024.
Like other hit Netflix originals, this miniseries received critical acclaim from audiences, and is still topping the streaming charts, even after one month of its original premiere.
Baby Reindeer Filming Locations
Baby Reindeer was filmed in Edinburgh and London inside the United Kingdom. The exterior shots of the pub where Donny performs, called The Hoppy, were filmed in Meadowbank, Edinburgh.
As per local press, shooting for the series began in August 2022 and took around seven months to finish in February 2023.
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
This is the place where younger Donny pursues his comedy dreams. Scenes were filmed along the iconic Royal Mile and in the lively Grassmarket area. A pivotal pub location is The Hoppy in Meadowbank, which stood in for the venue hosting Donny’s hit-and-miss comedy shows.
London, England, UK
As the story shifts to London, we see Donny meeting the odious TV executive Darrien (Tom Goodman-Hill) at the Army & Navy pub in Stoke Newington, a well-known sports bar in the area.
The Stag’s Head pub in Hoxton becomes the fictional “The Heart” pub in the miniseries. This is where Donny’s first ‘coffee funtimes’ date with Martha takes place, which later turns into a stalking nightmare. Hehehe!!!
Regent’s Canal, London
For a chilling late-night scene, the production utilized the atmospheric Regent’s Canal near Haggerston Park.
The famed Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) also makes an appearance during Donny’s misguided date, with its pulsing dancefloor becoming a place of unraveling.
Leicester Square, London
The series reaches its climax at the legendary Comedy Store in Leicester Square, the very place that represents Donny’s redemptive professional triumph after years of torment.
Marsham Court, Victoria
The luxurious apartment where Donny falls into Darrien’s manipulative web was filmed at Marsham Court in Victoria, a building with its own storied history as a former home to politicians and civil servants.
Other key locations include Shoreditch Town Hall (Donny’s drama school), Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (an early comedy gig disrupted by Martha), and the ornate Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, where Donny endures a cringe-worthy meltdown on stage.
London has emerged as a popular filming over the past two years, we’ve seen many of the big productions that were done in the the UK’s capital like Napoleon, The Beekeeper, Criminal Record, 3 Body Problem, and Good Grief.
Behind The Scenes
Fiona, the freelance makeup artist shared her wonderful filming experience after the shooting wrapped on February 4, 2023.
In December 2022, she also dumped another set of Bts pictures on her social media. She posted so many photos with the fabulous cast and crew members.
Baby Reindeer Cast
- Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn
- Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott
- Nava Mau as Teri
- Michael Wildman as Greggsy
- Danny Kirrane as Gino
- Nina Sosanya as Liz
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Keeley
- Thomas Coombes as Daniels
- Mark Lewis Jones as Gerry
- Amanda Root as Elle
- Grace Parry as Date One
- Jamie Michie as Harris
- Rachel Bavidge as Judge
- Will Hislop as Billy
- Gavin Drea as Shea Barman
What is the series Baby Reindeer about?
“Baby Reindeer” is a seven-episode drama that follows the unsettling experience of Donny Dunn, a London-based stand-up comedian juggling his career with a pub job.
It all starts with a seemingly kind gesture – Donny offers a free cup of tea to a distraught customer named Martha at his pub job in London. However, Martha becomes fixated on Donny, calling him “Baby Reindeer” and showering him with unwanted attention. Her emails escalate to hundreds a day, and her public outbursts leave Donny shaken.
The series explores the warped dynamic between Donny and Martha as her stalking intensifies. As Donny tries to navigate his career and personal life, he’s forced to confront a dark trauma from his past that resurfaces because of Martha’s actions. The story unfolds over several episodes, revealing the psychological impact of being stalked and the courage it takes to overcome it.
As the story unfolds, we see Donny grappling with complex themes like stalking, mental health, and the burden of past trauma.
Review
Baby Reindeer is not your typical thriller. It’s a raw and unsettling exploration of stalking, told from the perspective of both the victim and the perpetrator. The series doesn’t shy away from the psychological trauma Donny faces. While some might find the lack of a clear resolution frustrating, Baby Reindeer’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of a disturbing reality.
