The Interview ‘Baby Reindeer’ Exploded Richard Gadd's Life. It Also Set Him Free.
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Mar 21, 2026 
Richard Gadd, a Scottish writer, actor and comedian known for Baby Reindeer, talks about fame bringing both opportunity and discomfort. He explores damaged masculinity, the role of trauma in his life, and creating complex characters like Ruben. He discusses sexuality after abuse, choosing singleness and recovery, and using art to process shame and find freedom.
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Broken Masculinity Roots In Early Societal Repression
- Broken masculinity often traces to societal repression in childhood.
- Gadd points to the unforgiving 1980s culture that normalized slurs and repression, seeding later damaging behavior.
Write Trauma Down To Stop It Growing
- Do write down trauma or painful experiences to stop them growing inside your head.
- Gadd describes writing as a playground that prevented pain from ricocheting intolerably and helped him process shame and guilt.
Ruben Built From Real Intimidating Men
- Gadd drew on intimidating male figures from school and neighborhood to create Ruben.
- He expects audiences may like Ruben because he 'runs on a river of pain' and mirrors men who act similarly.