SCOTLAND’S Richard Gadd has said “no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better,” as he picked up an Emmy Award for his TV series Baby Reindeer.
Gadd, the creator and star of the show, appeared on the stage at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles to pick up the award.
The 35-year-old, wearing a kilt, said “this is the stuff of dreams” as he spoke about the hit said to be inspired by his real-life experiences.
Richard Gadd wins writing in a limited or anthology series or movie at the 2024 #Emmys for #BabyReindeer pic.twitter.com/hWaRVdLnjk
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 16, 2024
The show made headlines after a woman, who claimed to be the inspiration behind the character Martha, filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the story of being inaccurate.
Gadd’s co-star Jessica Gunning won her first Emmy for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series for playing Martha Scott, who stalks Gadd’s character Donny Dunn in the show.
This year’s Emmys ceremony featured a handful of TV reunions including father and son hosts Eugene and Dan Levy with their Schitt’s Creek co-stars Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy, as well as the cast of drama West Wing.
Other big winners included the Disney+ Japanese historical drama Shogun and another series, The Bear.
“Look, 10 years ago I was down and out. I never ever thought I’d get my life together,” Gadd said during his first on-stage speech.
“I never, ever thought I’d be able to rectify myself, what had 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 in television.
“I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. 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 are 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.”
After collecting his acting prize, Gadd thanked his mother and father who “never, ever told me what I needed to do with my life,” which he described as “the greatest gift a parent can give a child”.
“They always said follow your heart and the rest will fall into place, and I think it’s good advice, follow your heart and the rest will fall into place,” he said.
Gadd added that the gongs for Baby Reindeer proved that “there’s no set formula” to success, with the only constant being “good storytelling”.
Elsewhere, The US Traitors, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, also picked up the award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
Scottish actor Jack Lowden had been nominated in the best supporting actor in a drama series category but lost out to Billy Crudup, who picked up a win for his work on The Morning Show on Apple TV+.
