For approximately one year now, the popular Netflix show “Baby Reindeer” has been gracing our screens, and its leading actress, Jessica Gunning, has enjoyed the fruits of its success. She’s garnered an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG Award, and Royal Television Society Programme Award for her chilling portrayal of Martha Scott, a character inspired by the real-life experiences of writer and creator Richard Gadd. This year could see her adding a BAFTA to her already overflowing collection, which she refers to as her “pinch-me” year.
Gunning is cheerful and full of laughter, frequently using the term “special” to express her enthusiasm for Baby Reindeer, a description that certainly holds merit. Since its debut, it has garnered an impressive viewership of 252.1 million, positioning itself among the most popular Netflix shows ever produced. Catching everyone by surprise with its peculiar title, derived from Gadd’s one-man play from 2019, the series quickly became the hot topic on everyone’s lips.
She notes that when she takes on a job, she rarely envisions many viewers or award recognition. She’s encountered a wide range of individuals, from teenagers to octogenarians, and even celebrities such as Kathy Bates. Meeting admired figures after years who recognize her leaves her feeling surprised: ‘Really? This is all quite astonishing!’
Although it may appear that Gunning became successful quickly, the truth is that she’s been toiling away for nearly 18 years behind the scenes. While her face might not be as familiar as some others, she has made significant contributions through supporting roles and comedic parts. Born in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, the 38-year-old can be seen in David Mitchell and Robert Webb’s Back, Pride, and Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws, where she was also part of the writing team.
She often spoke to students in their third year at Rose Bruford College, a drama school in London, who aspired to be actors. I’d remind them that actors they admire, such as Olivia Colman and Idris Elba, may not have started their careers immediately after graduating from drama school. Instead, the roles they’re known for were often accomplished in their 30s or 40s. This is a testament to the fact that these skills require time to develop.
She adds, “It’s been 17 years since Martha’s part was finally realized,” she notes, “I hope it won’t take another 17.” This is one of many points she begins with, saying, “As I mentioned before,” given the numerous interviews she’s had about Baby Reindeer. Not all the reviews since its premiere have been favorable. Fiona Harvey, who claims to be the true Martha, has filed a $170m defamation lawsuit against Netflix in the US.
In the scripts, neither Gunning nor Richard (who plays Donny Dunn) were actually portraying Martha; instead, they were just characters in the story. We didn’t create Martha as a villain or an antagonist because we saw her as complex and layered.
In her upcoming venture, Gunning will collaborate on Simon Farnaby’s movie adaption of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree.” Joining forces with her will be fellow BAFTA nominee Nicola Coughlan, along with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. The growing radiance of Gunning’s talent is undeniable, yet she prefers to maintain a more subdued public presence.
I don’t use social media and haven’t felt compelled to do so. I don’t consider myself a public figure in that sense. I believe an actor can simply perform their role without constantly being in the spotlight. There seems to be an interest, even amongst me, in knowing more about actors, but I think it’s unnecessary for them to have a big online presence to get roles. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that people judge acting abilities based on social media following.
In 2022, Gunning revealed her homosexuality to her loved ones and acquaintances. She officially acknowledged her sexual orientation in June 2024 during an interview on Reign with Josh Smith’s podcast, shortly after the release of Baby Reindeer. During this chat, she referred to herself as a “large, open gay”. “I hadn’t planned to make a public declaration. The conversation was just very comfortable. I found myself mentioning it because I couldn’t truthfully respond to any questions without disclosing that.” She took some time to understand her sexual orientation.
It’s crucial for such a representation to hold weight when it originates from someone so publicly recognized, as Gunning notes: “Following our talk, many individuals expressed that hearing my narrative had significant meaning to them. Such interactions carry importance, particularly when people feel acknowledged.
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2025-05-06 15:15