"Inventing Anna" Defamation Case Concludes with Netflix Settlement
The Genesis of the Legal Dispute: A Friend's Portrayal
Rachel DeLoache Williams, once an associate of the notorious imposter Anna Sorokin, initiated legal proceedings in 2022. Her contention was that the Netflix production unfairly depicted her as having deserted and betrayed Sorokin, presenting her in an unflattering light as someone snobbish and driven by avarice.
Joint Statement Confirms Resolution
In a joint announcement released on Friday, both a Netflix representative and Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, Williams' legal counsel, confirmed that the lawsuit between Ms. Williams and Netflix has been amicably resolved, bringing an end to the protracted legal battle.
The Narrative Under Scrutiny: From Victim to Villain
The series, drawing inspiration from a New York magazine piece about the fabricated heiress Anna Sorokin (also known as Anna Delvey), who served nearly four years for financial deception, became the focal point of Williams' grievance. She asserted that the Netflix adaptation intentionally crafted a narrative designed to elicit sympathy for Sorokin, effectively transforming her from a real-life perpetrator into a compelling anti-hero, while simultaneously casting Williams, the actual victim, in a villainous role.
Legal Challenges and Judicial Rulings
Williams' legal team articulated that the creators of "Inventing Anna" consciously opted to paint her as the antagonist, driven by animosity. Netflix's attempt in 2024 to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing for artistic freedom in their interpretation of events, was rejected by a federal judge in Delaware, affirming the validity of Williams' claims. Subsequently, Netflix filed for summary judgment following extensive evidence gathering, a motion that was pending when the settlement was reached.
Precedent and Principles of Depiction in True-Crime Dramas
Attorney Rufus-Isaacs has consistently argued against the notion that productions based on factual events are exempt from defamation laws. During a November 2024 deposition of Shonda Rhimes, the series creator, he inquired about her methodology for fictionalizing real individuals. Rhimes responded that her team aimed for an accurate representation of facts and behavior, using fictionalized moments to enhance clarity, while adhering to a principle of never portraying women in an excessively negative manner, striving instead for multifaceted characterizations.