I feel very squeezed, it's been a hurricane: Actor Richard Gadd on Baby Reindeer's success

ANI May 13, 2025 155 views

Richard Gadd candidly discusses the overwhelming pressure of Baby Reindeer's rapid success. The Emmy-winning show skyrocketed his fame within days of release. Gadd admits struggling with the sudden shift from indie comedy to global recognition. His next project, "Half Man," explores complex masculinity in a changing world.

"I feel very squeezed, it's been a hurricane." – Richard Gadd
Washington DC, May 12: Actor Richard Gadd says the success of 'Baby Reindeer' sometimes feels like an "intolerable pressure" on him, as he believes the show gained fame too early and blew up too fast, reported Variety.

Key Points

1

Gadd admits struggling with sudden fame post-Baby Reindeer

2

The show won six Emmys and global acclaim

3

He recalls fans knocking days after release

4

Next project "Half Man" set for 2026

In a recent sit-down with The Guardian, Gadd said the fame he's earned from his breakout Netflix limited series has been, at times, too much to handle, reported Variety.

Gadd opened up about the success of the show Baby Reindeer and said, "There have been a lot of challenging moments. The show has reached such an extreme pitch - there have been times when I've felt like the pressure was intolerable. It's been a hurricane. I don't think I'm at the point of reflection yet. I need some real time off to figure out how to get my feet back on ground, because I feel very squeezed," as quoted by Variety.

According to the outlet, Gadd's semi-autobiographical 'Baby Reindeer,' has earned six Emmys, two BAFTAs, two Golden Globes and two Critics Choice Awards.

Gadd added that part of the pressure is due to the show blowing up so fast. He said it only took a couple of days post-release for the hype around him and the show to start, reported Variety.

"It came out on a Thursday, and by Sunday people were knocking on my door asking for autographs. I was an arthouse comedian, performing to five people every night, so it was a huge adjustment. I'm still getting used to it. Going to the supermarket comes with a million caveats now," said Gadd as quoted by Variety.

Gadd's next project, "Half Man," is a six-part HBO and BBC drama set to launch in 2026.

The official logline for the series reads, as quoted by Variety,

"When Niall's estranged 'brother' Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. Spanning almost forty years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults - with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city - a changing world, even - and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question... What does it mean to be a man?"

The series was a major hit at last year's Emmy Awards. Baby Reindeer clinched the prestigious award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, marking a major achievement for the show.

Richard Gadd, who not only stars in but also created the series, was honoured with Emmys for both Best Actor and Best Writer.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Success can be overwhelming when it comes too fast. We've seen this with many Indian stars too - from SSR to Nayanthara. Hope Gadd finds his balance. The pressure of overnight fame is real! 🤯
R
Rahul S.
Baby Reindeer was brilliant but I can understand his stress. In India we say "jaldi ka kaam shaitaan ka" (hasty work is devil's work). Maybe the industry should give creators more breathing room after success.
A
Ananya M.
As someone who watched Baby Reindeer, the rawness was its strength. But fame is a double-edged sword - one day performing for 5 people, next day autograph hunters at your door. Hope he takes that needed break!
V
Vikram J.
Interesting how global streaming has made stars overnight. In Bollywood, we've seen similar trajectories with web series actors. The pressure to deliver another hit must be immense after such critical acclaim.
S
Sneha P.
While I sympathize with his situation, many artists struggle for years without recognition. He should count his blessings while managing the pressure. Looking forward to his next project though! ✨
K
Karan D.
This reminds me of when Nawazuddin Siddiqui talked about struggling with sudden fame after Gangs of Wasseypur. The industry needs better support systems for artists dealing with rapid success. Mental health matters!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags: