Netflix Settles ‘Inventing Anna’ Defamation Suit

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Netflix Settles Defamation Lawsuit Over “Inventing Anna” Series

Netflix has reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit brought by Vanity Fair staffer Rachel DeLoache Williams regarding the portrayal of her in the Shonda Rhimes series “Inventing Anna.” Williams had claimed that the series misrepresented her character, making her appear as a villainous figure who betrayed her friend, con artist Anna Sorokin.

Williams, who was a former friend of Sorokin, filed the lawsuit in 2022, arguing that the show transformed her into a negative character, contrary to her real-life persona. The series was based on a New York magazine article detailing the story of Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, who was convicted of fraud and served time in prison.

Netflix spokesperson and Williams’ attorney confirmed the resolution of the lawsuit, although exact terms were not disclosed. The legal battle between Williams and the streaming giant had been ongoing, with Netflix attempting to have the case dismissed, citing artistic license in portraying real events.

Williams had argued that the showrunners behind “Inventing Anna” deliberately painted her in a negative light to create a clear villain in the narrative. Her lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, has also pursued similar defamation claims against Netflix on behalf of other individuals portrayed inaccurately in their productions.

Rufus-Isaacs has emphasized that while fictionalized accounts of true events may take creative liberties, they are not exempt from defamation laws. During a deposition with Shonda Rhimes, he questioned the show creator’s approach to portraying real people in a fictional context.

Rhimes defended her portrayal of characters in “Inventing Anna,” stating that she aimed to capture the essence of individuals based on factual behavior while adding fictional elements to enhance the storytelling. She stressed the importance of creating multidimensional characters and avoiding overly negative depictions, particularly of women.

With the settlement of Williams’ lawsuit, the legal dispute surrounding “Inventing Anna” comes to a close, highlighting the complexities of adapting real-life stories for entertainment purposes while respecting the individuals involved.