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“If you’re struggling, keep going”: “Baby Reindeer” head encourages perseverance in Emmys speech

"No matter how bad it gets, it always gets better," Gadd told the Emmys audience after winning for "Baby Reindeer"

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Richard Gadd accepts the Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie award for "Baby Reindeer" onstage during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Richard Gadd accepts the Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie award for "Baby Reindeer" onstage during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"Baby Reindeer" creator and star Richard Gadd nabbed an Emmy award for his writing on the hit Netflix series and used his acceptance speech to offer support and solidarity for those going through a difficult time.

Gadd plays struggling comedian Donny Dunn in the series. Dunn is stalked over a period of several years by a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) and sexually assaulted by a writing mentor in a fictionalized portrayal of similar incidents in Gadd's own life.

“This is the stuff of dreams,” Gadd said as he accepted his award. “Look, 10 years ago I was down and out, right? I never ever thought I would get my life together. I never ever thought I would rectify myself for what happened to me and get myself back on my feet again. And then here I am just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards on television.”

"I don't mean that to sound arrogant," he continued. "I mean it as encouragement for anyone who's going through a difficult time right now, to persevere. I don't know much about this life — I don't know why we're here, none of that. But I do know that nothing lasts forever. And no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better. So if you're struggling, keep going, keep going. And I promise you, things will be OK."

By Gabriella Ferrigine

Gabriella Ferrigine is a former staff writer at Salon. Originally from the Jersey Shore, she moved to New York City in 2016 to attend Columbia University, where she received her B.A. in English and M.A. in American Studies. Formerly a staff writer at NowThis News, she has an M.A. in Magazine Journalism from NYU and was previously a news fellow at Salon.


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