Who is Jessica Gunning? All about the actress who plays Martha in Baby Reindeer
IT'S FAIR to say that Baby Reindeer has been the most talked about show on Netflix in 2024 so far.
One person who is responsible for the show's success is actress Jessica Gunning.
Who is Jessica Gunning?
Born on New Year's Day in 1986, Jessica Gunning is an acclaimed actress from West Yorkshire.
She was raised near Huddersfield and attended Holmfirth High School as a teenager.
After finishing school, she went on to study at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performing in Sidcup and graduated in 2007.
It was this same year Jessica had her first television credit as Scarlet in the BBC Three series It's Adam and Shelley.
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Since then she gone to start in numerous top TV shows, including Prime Suspect 1973, and Back starring Robert Webb and David Mitchell.
Who does Jessica Gunning play in Baby Reindeer?
Baby Reindeer is a harrowing true story that follows struggling stand-up comedian Donny who works in a pub to support himself.
His life takes a terrible turn when he offers a woman named Martha a free cup of tea.
Mistaking this act of kindness for affection, she becomes obsessed with him.
Donny initially appreciates the attention he’s getting from Martha and flirts with her.
However, she soon crosses the boundary from friend to stalker, which brings to light Donny’s past trauma of sexual abuse.
With it's harrowing narrative and shocking plot, the show has been dubbed “a true masterpiece" by viewers.
In Baby Reindeer, Jessica takes the co-leading role of Martha, alongside comedian Richard Gadd who plays Donny.
Speaking about the role, the actress revealed how she made the decision to not learn too much about the real-life Baby Reindeer stalker.
"All I’m doing is interpreting this character, so I didn’t really do any backstory, aside from what was in the scripts."
The real-life Martha - who's name Richard has never disclosed - is now required by law not to approach him or any of his friends or family.
What to do if you suspect you're being stalked
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, tells Sun Online: “The perpetrators commonly obtain details about you via online information of personal and financial affairs, social and work life, relationships and your location.
As a starting point, ensure only the minimum information about you is available online and take stalking seriously.
Report it before it has serious effects on you and others and keep a record of all that takes place so you collate evidence whilst it is happening.
For expert advice visit ."
What other TV shows and films has she appeared in?
Jessica has had a successful television career since guest-starring in an episode of Doctor Who in 2008.
Her biggest shows include:
Law and Order: UK
One of Jessica's longest roles was in Law and Order: UK.
She played the role of Angela and was on the show for 20 episodes from 2009 until 2011.
The show follows he police who investigate crimes, and the Crown Prosecutors who prosecute the offenders.
White Heat
In 2012, Jessica played Orla in the BBC drama White Heat.
The mini-series depicted the life of six students who meet in a flat share in 1965, with the final episode set in 1990.
The series is a semiautobiographical drama written by Paula Milne.
Pride
Jessica has also had film success, portraying Siân James in the 2014 film Pride.
The movie was hugely popular with film-goers and even earned itself Golden Globe and Bafta nominations.
Based on a true story, it depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the miners' strike in 1984
Trollied
In 2018, Jessica played security guard Donna Calabrese in hit Sky One sitcom, Trollied.
She appeared in seven episodes in the comedy's seventh series, where she shared the screen with co-stars Jason Watkins and Chanel Cresswell.
Donna was the new security guard on the block after former guard Ian resigned out of fears for his safety.
Desperate to do her job well and keep fictional supermarket Valco safe, she was dedicated to the safety of shoppers and stopping shoplifters in their tracks.
Summerland
The actress played the role of Mrs Basset in the British drama-film Summerland.
The movie is set during the Battle of Britain and later, the London Blitz.
It follows a reclusive writer whose life changes when evacuee Frank is left in her care.
Outlaws
Jessica also starred in the comedy-drama The Outlaws which was directed by Stephen Merchant, who also plays Greg the lawyer.
It also showcases other famous faces such as Christopher Walken, Eleanor Tomlinson and Richard E Grant.
Jessica played Diane, who was the probation officer in charge of supervising the group of convicts as they complete their community service.
How to watch Baby Reindeer
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix now.
The seven-part miniseries dropped on April 11, 2024, and has won praise from viewers.
Those who have binge-watched the series took to X, formerly Twitter, to discuss their thoughts.
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One fan said: “Binged all of Baby Reindeer on Netflix yesterday and it’s just completely incredible."
Another commented: “It goes from funny, weird & creepy, all the way to being genuinely harrowing. not an easy watch, but feels like a really important one.”
BABY REINDEER BY NUMBERS
The Netflix series has become quite the breakout smash hit...
- 13.3 million Number of viewers who tuned into the show during its first week
- 7 Number of episodes in the series
- 41,071 Amount of emails Richard claims he was sent by the real life Martha
- 64 Percentage increase in viewers the show earned in its second week, compared to its first
- 97 The show's percentage score on industry bible Rotten Tomatoes
- 30 Number of countries the series has topped the Netflix chart in