Netflix has been denied a motion to dismiss a US defamation lawsuit resulting from its hit series The Queen’s Gambit, launched by female chess champion Nona Gaprindashvili.
The Georgian chess sensation is suing the streaming service for $5million (£3.6m) after accusing them of misrepresenting ‘one of the most significant career achievements’ and incorrectly portraying her nationality.
She was reportedly left ‘humiliated’ after a character based on her was portrayed as Russian and stated she ‘never faced men’ while playing.
At the time, Netflix told Metro.co.uk: ‘Netflix has only the utmost respect for Ms. Gaprindashvili and her illustrious career, but we believe this claim has no merit and will vigorously defend the case.’
However, it has been confirmed the streaming giant will have to face the defamation case after they attempted to have it tossed out of the courts.
Netflix said that ‘no reasonable viewer would have understood the line to convey a statement of fact’ due the series being ‘an entirely fictional work,’ according to legal documents obtained by the PA news agency.
The streaming giant also argued that to understand the alleged defamatory implications, viewers would require ‘knowledge of competitive Soviet chess in the 1960s,’ the documents said.
In a ruling earlier this week, a judge at California Central District Court said there had been no evidence of any cases ‘precluding defamation claims for the portrayal of real persons in otherwise fictional works.
‘On the contrary, the fact that the series was a fictional work does not insulate Netflix from liability for defamation if all the elements of defamation are otherwise present,’ legal documents said.
It was highlighted by lawyers that Gaprindashvili had become the first woman in history to be awarded the honour and rank of International Chess Grandmaster among men, which is contrary to how she is referred to in the programme.
The player is looking to sue Netflix after she was referenced in the episode titled End Game after prodigy Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor Joy) finally beats Viktor Laev at the Moscow Invitationals.
The initial lawsuit stated the camera pans to another competitor, which ‘is obviously meant to be Gaprindashvil.’
Whilst Beth and Viktor are both fictional characters, Gaprindashvil is not, with it being pointed out in a lawsuit to the Federal District Court in Los Angeles she is a ‘pioneer of women’s chess and a much-loved icon in her native country of Georgia.’
The Queen’s Gambit famously hired chess experts to help advise those working and starring on the mini-series behind-the-scenes.
Netflix is also said to have upset Gaprindashvil due to wrongly depicting her to be Russain ‘despite knowing she was Georgian,’ particularly as a continuing tension exists between the two nations.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix for comment.
The Queen’s Gambit can be streamed on Netflix now.
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