Every so often a programme comes along that everyone instantly talks about. The days of streaming services have made this a rarer phenomenon, but it still happens. The last time was Tiger King, which was aided by the pandemic and no one had anything better to do. I can’t really think of another example that came along since then.

Until now, when Baby Reindeer came along. There doesn’t seem to be a day where there isn’t a new article or think-piece about it. First they came to praise, then they came to critique it, and of course everybody had their own ‘experiences’ of what the character went through. Oh, and the explosion of online detectives trying to find the real life versions of the character.

For those of you still unfamiliar with the plot, it follows Donny, a failing comedian working as a barman. After an act of kindness to a stranger he finds himself stalked by them. This in turn sees the return of a repressed trauma of when he was sexually abused by an elder man and his subsequent spiral. It’s labelled as dark comedy, and although there is something of that here it is very much a small speck.

It is not an easy watch. In fact, I actively seek something lighter to follow it up with. But it is so gripping. Richard Gadd, writer and lead actor, is captivating. Of course it helps it is based on a true story, but that doesn’t detract from his performance. Jessica Gunning is equally brilliant as deranged stalker Martha. And as for the episode where we see him fall victim to an older man, well it is something that won’t leave you.

Of course there is now the controversy as to whether Gadd should have be so honest about it being based on a true story. Online sleuths have been their worst selves in trying to track down the real people. But at the same time it is undeniable this hits harder knowing it really happened.

One thought that does bubble up though is that of the issue of gender here. If it was a woman being stalked by a man, would we be debating how much the victim led them on? Gadd is open about the mistakes he made, but is he trying to be chivalrous? It’s like at times he is apologising for her, blaming himself more than her.

Anyway, it’s unlikely you will see a more gripping drama this year. Just don’t go to bed on it.