Someone thought I was actually the woman from Baby Reindeer and screamed in my face, says actress

Jessica Gunning’s breakthrough role came with the critically acclaimed television series *Baby Reindeer*, a show that marked a significant moment in recent television and elevated her to widespread recognition. In the drama, she portrayed Martha, an intense and psychologically complex woman whose character spirals into emotional turmoil. Gunning described the role as “the role of a lifetime,” recounting how reading the script initially gave her goosebumps and led to five separate auditions before landing the part. Although she expected *Baby Reindeer* to be an indie success, she never anticipated it becoming the Netflix phenomenon that it ultimately was.

Playing such a provocative character has had some unexpected consequences for Gunning, including moments when viewers mistake her for Martha in real life. “I’d just parked near where I live and a woman screamed in my face! But in her defence she had just finished the series, walked out of her home and there I was,” Gunning revealed. Despite occasional unsettling encounters, she emphasizes the overwhelmingly positive reception and the impact the show has had beyond entertainment. Notably, it has raised awareness and support for charities aimed at male survivors of sexual assault, highlighting that audiences are drawn to stories with complexity and emotional depth — a fact underscored by conversations she’s had with viewers ranging in age from teenagers to those in their nineties.

*Baby Reindeer* is based on real-life events as recounted by the show’s creator and lead actor Richard Gadd. However, the woman thought to be the inspiration for Martha has publicly challenged this portrayal, accusing Netflix of spreading “brutal lies” about her to millions of viewers worldwide. In June 2024, she initiated a lawsuit against Netflix, citing defamation, negligence, and privacy violations. The series, billed as “a true story,” came under further scrutiny when a judge ruled in September 2024 that several central events depicted, including a stalking conviction, did not occur in reality. Although Netflix’s efforts to dismiss the case were unsuccessful, the company has pledged to vigorously defend Gadd’s right to tell his version of the story.

The intensity of filming *Baby Reindeer* fostered a close connection between Gunning and Gadd. She credits the producers and director for creating a safe environment during production and mentions they regularly checked in with each other throughout the process. Interestingly, the show began as a stage play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which Gunning had initially missed seeing — so she purchased the script instead, humorously admitting, “That was a little bit Martha of me.” Her portrayal earned her numerous prestigious accolades, including an Emmy, a Bafta, a Golden Globe, an RTS, and a Screen Actors Guild award. Reflecting on the experience, she calls it “a bit pinch me,” especially recalling the surreal nature of being in Hollywood for award season. Despite nearly two decades in the acting business, she says the show has been transformative, both professionally and personally.

Looking ahead, Gunning is slated to appear in the BBC One and Children In Need’s animated feature *Pudsey and the Thread of Hope*, airing on Christmas Eve. Based on an original story by Tom Fletcher, known for his work with McFly and the *Paddington* musical, the animation addresses themes of grief through a mother and son navigating loss. Gunning, who voices the grieving mother, sees this project as a meaningful pause after *Baby Reindeer* and appreciates its charitable connection. “Children can deal with big issues like this, and hopefully children will watch and feel seen if they’ve experienced this, or are going through something similar,” she said. Having grown up with Children In Need as a cause, she shares a fond memory of dressing as an Emu to support the charity at school.

Aside from animation, Gunning has roles lined up in a film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s classic *The Magic Faraway Tree* alongside Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield, and she is currently filming a comedy with Angelina Jolie. Proud of her West Yorkshire roots — the same market town where the enduring BBC sitcom *Last of the Summer Wine* was filmed — she jokes about her journey from “Holmfirth to Hollywood.”

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More