Writer and actor Richard Gadd wrote a vulnerable account of his own trauma in “Baby Reindeer,” a Netflix miniseries that became a must-see television show and carried its success to the Emmy Awards.

At the 2024 Emmy Awards, the Scottish performer won the award for Best Writing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series for his work on Baby Reindeer. In this hit film based on a true story, Gadd wrote about her own experiences of being stalked, surviving sexual assault, and coming to terms with her sexuality.

After accepting an award at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 15, Gad took the opportunity to share a message of encouragement. 'Ten years ago, I was depressed,' he said. 'I never thought I could get my life back on track. I never thought I could make right what had happened to me and get back on my feet again. [Exactly 10 years later, he won the biggest screenwriting award in television. This may sound arrogant, but it is not. It's meant to be an encouragement to those who are going through hard times right now to persevere.”

“I don't know much about this life; I don't know much about the life I live. But I do know that nothing lasts forever and no matter how bad it gets, it will always get better. So if you're suffering, keep going.”

Earlier in his speech, the Netflix star said that attending the Emmys was “a dream come true” and praised his collaborators and family.

In the Limited Series and Anthology category for Best Screenplay, “Reindeer Babies” faced off against “Black Mirror,” “Fargo,” “Fellow Travelers,” “Ripley,” and “True Detective: Night Country.”

It was not only for Best Screenplay that Baby Reindeer and Gad won at the 2024 Emmy Awards. He also won for acting, and the series won the Outstanding Limited Series or Anthology Award.

Starr was shocked when he won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology award. The writer/actor had been nominated against Matt Bomer (“Fellow Travelers”), Hamm (“Fargo”), Tom Hollander (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swan”), and Andrew Scott (“Ripley”). Said Gad, “They were the best, and although we had some difficult times as a family, they were always there for me as love and support.” 'What I appreciate most is that they never told me what I needed to do with my life, and they never told me who I needed to become.'

He added, “They always told me to follow my heart and the rest would fall into place. I think that's good advice.”

Shortly after winning the award for his performance, Gad returned to the stage to join his co-stars and crew who had won Outstanding Limited Series or Anthology. The show competed with Fargo, Chemistry Lesson, Ripley, and True Detective: Night Country.

In Gad's third speech, he said that “Baby Reindeer” proved that an original show without well-known actors could be very successful.

Jessica Gunning, who played Martha in the drama, also won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Anthology Series, extending the show's win total at the awards ceremony to four.

In her acceptance speech, the British actress offered a thoughtful message to co-star Gad, whom she said she wanted to offer her “greatest appreciation.” I've tried many times to put into words what working on 'Baby Reindeer' means to me, but every time I fail,” she said. 'So I sing ...... No, I don't. No, I simply want to say thank you for entrusting Martha to me. I will never forget her, or you, or any of this. It really means a lot to me.

Gunning was nominated along with another Baby Reindeer star. Nava Mau also made history as the first transgender woman to be recognized in the category with a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Anthology Series.

“Baby Reindeer” was a huge success with Netflix word of mouth and critics, becoming one of the most watched shows in the weeks following its April debut. Many viewers noted how powerful Gad's fictionalization of his own story had been.