A lawsuit accusing Netflix of defamation over its series Inventing Anna, based on the story of Anna Delvey, will proceed to trial. The judge refused to dismiss the case, setting the stage for further legal proceedings.
Half a year after the Shonda Rhimes-produced miniseries premiered, Rachel DeLoache Williams, a former Vanity Fair photo editor and friend of Delvey, sued Netflix. Williams alleged defamation and negative portrayal in Inventing Anna, citing 16 specific instances.
The miniseries suggested that Williams left Delvey during a trip to Morocco, even though Delvey was aware that Williams had to travel to France for work. It also implied that Williams ended her friendship with Delvey because of Delvey’s financial problems.
The lawsuit claimed that Williams stopped being friends with Sorokin not due to Sorokin’s problems in Morocco, but because Williams discovered in New York that Sorokin was deceitful and involved in scams.
As per her lawsuit, the miniseries showed Williams as greedy, snobbish, disloyal, dishonest, cowardly, manipulative, and opportunistic, although she was a victim of Delvey’s scheme. Netflix claimed their portrayal of Williams was protected by the First Amendment and permitted creative interpretation. The series featured a disclaimer saying, “This story is completely true. Except for the parts that are totally made up.”
The judge disagreed with Netflix’s argument, especially regarding the abandonment claim. The judge stated that the statements suggested Williams left Sorokin when she was alone and troubled in Morocco. Whether Sorokin was indeed in trouble and if Williams left her at that time could be proven true or false.
If the defamation lawsuit proceeds to trial, witnesses summoned by Williams’ lawyers include actress Katie Lowes, who portrayed Williams in the miniseries, and Delvey herself.
What’s next?
It looks like Netflix is facing a legal challenge with the defamation lawsuit over ‘Inventing Anna.’ The court’s decision to reject the dismissal sets the stage for further legal battles. The allegations against Netflix include portraying Rachel DeLoache Williams negatively, despite her being a victim of the scheme. With witnesses like actress Katie Lowes and Anna Delvey herself summoned, the trial could shed light on the truth behind the portrayal in the series.
