# Jessica Gunning
**Jessica Gunning** is an English actress and writer whose performance as [Martha Scott](https://www.edgepedia.org/martha-scott), the stalker in the Netflix limited series *Baby Reindeer* (2024), made her an international name and swept the 2024–2025 awards season, earning her an Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA TV Award, SAG Award, Critics' Choice Award, and Independent Spirit Award.[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) She was born in 1986 in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1986, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977) |
| Breakout role | Martha Scott in *Baby Reindeer*, Netflix, premiered April 2024; seven-part series based on Richard Gadd's stage show about being stalked[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [3](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/jessica-gunning-cast-feral-netflix/) |
| Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, 76th Emmy Awards, 2024[4](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jessica-gunning) |
| Awards sweep | Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, Independent Spirit, SAG Award, and BAFTA TV Award for the same performance[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) |
| Signature TV comedy role | Diane Pemberley in the BBC comedy *The Outlaws* (2021–2024, 17 episodes); also co-wrote Series 3, Episode 5[5](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/jessica_gunning/) • [6](https://www.independenttalent.com/writers/jess-gunning/) |
| Notable film roles | Siân James in *Pride* (2014); Dame Washalot in *The Magic Faraway Tree* (2026); Sallie Milton Sklar in Steven Soderbergh's *The Christophers* (2025)[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977) |
| Next series | Annie in *Feral*, a Netflix dark comedy thriller adapted from Shirley Conran's 1987 novel[3](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/jessica-gunning-cast-feral-netflix/) |
## Early career
Gunning began on stage at the National Theatre in England before moving into television.[7](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jessica-gunning/) Her stage work there includes *Much Ado About Nothing* and *Major Barbara* in 2007/2008, and later a National Theatre production of *When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other*, in which she appeared opposite [Cate Blanchett](https://www.edgepedia.org/cate-blanchett) as Mrs Jewkes.[8](https://www.netflixmovies.com/s/actor/jessica-gunning) • [1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/)
Through the 2010s she built a steady screen career in British television and film. Her film role as Siân James came in *Pride*, the Golden Globe- and BAFTA-nominated feature from Pathé.[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) Television credits include *White Heat* (2012), *What Remains* (2013), *Fortitude* (2015–2018, as Shirley Allerdyce), *Back* ([Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4), 2017–2021, as Jan), and *Trollied* ([Sky One](https://www.edgepedia.org/sky-one)).[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977) In interviews around *Baby Reindeer* she joked that she had played ten different police officers over her career.[9](https://bbc.com.im/news/entertainment-arts-68849404) From 2021 to 2024 she played Diane Pemberley in the BBC comedy *The Outlaws*, appearing in 17 episodes across three series.[5](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/jessica_gunning/)
## Baby Reindeer and the awards season
*Baby Reindeer* is adapted from [Richard Gadd](https://www.edgepedia.org/richard-gadd)'s Olivier Award-winning one-man show about his real-life experience of being stalked; Gadd wrote the series and plays Donny, an aspiring comedian and bartender, while Gunning plays Martha, a wayward loner whose crush on Donny turns into obsession.[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [10](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/jessica-gunning-makes-a-lasting-impression?inapp=true) The seven-part series premiered on Netflix in April 2024 and became a global phenomenon, gathering more than 80 million views and a deluge of critical commentary on its themes.[3](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/jessica-gunning-cast-feral-netflix/) • [10](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/jessica-gunning-makes-a-lasting-impression?inapp=true)
Gunning's Martha earned her the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 76th [Emmy Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/emmy-awards), where the series itself received 11 nominations.[4](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jessica-gunning) • [10](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/jessica-gunning-makes-a-lasting-impression?inapp=true) She went on to win the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on [Television](https://www.edgepedia.org/television) at the 82nd [Golden Globe Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/golden-globe-awards), plus the Critics' Choice, Independent Spirit, SAG, and BAFTA TV Awards for the same role.[11](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jessica-gunning/) • [1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) By IMDb's count, she and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (for *Fleabag*) are the only two people to win a BAFTA, Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for the same performance.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977)
She has said she did not approach Martha as a villain. As she read the script, she found the character nuanced, complicated, charming, and innocent in elements of her personality, and was drawn to that side rather than playing a baddie.[12](https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/llibres/2025/307367/SMARTIN_ed_Body_and_Gender_in_Miniseries_2025.pdf) Speaking to Variety Australia in 2026, she reflected that the whole *Baby Reindeer* journey had been surreal, saying she did not feel changed as a person but had received amazing opportunities since.[13](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/so-surreal-jessica-gunning-reflects-on-how-award-winning-role-in-baby-reindeer-changed-her-life-34616/)
## Writing
Gunning works as a writer as well as an actor. She co-wrote Episode 5 of *The Outlaws* Series 3 (Big Talk Productions/BBC, 2024) through its writer's room.[6](https://www.independenttalent.com/writers/jess-gunning/) In development she has two features co-written with Jo Dockery: *Nanny State*, a comedy feature with Dirty Films/New Republic, and *Ketchup Clouds*, adapted from Annabel Pitcher's novel of the same name.[6](https://www.independenttalent.com/writers/jess-gunning/)
## Work after Baby Reindeer
The acclaim from *Baby Reindeer* brought a run of film and television projects. She played Sallie Milton Sklar in [Steven Soderbergh](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-soderbergh)'s *The Christophers*, which premiered at the [Toronto International Film Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/toronto-international-film-festival) and was released in the UK in 2026, and Dame Washalot in the adaptation of [Enid Blyton](https://www.edgepedia.org/enid-blyton)'s *The Magic Faraway Tree* (2026), a role she discussed while promoting the film in Sydney.[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [13](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/so-surreal-jessica-gunning-reflects-on-how-award-winning-role-in-baby-reindeer-changed-her-life-34616/) *The Magic Faraway Tree*, written by Simon Farnaby, reached number 2 on the UK box office chart in late March 2026.[13](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/so-surreal-jessica-gunning-reflects-on-how-award-winning-role-in-baby-reindeer-changed-her-life-34616/) • [14](https://fantasyfilmleague.com/people/jessica-gunning)
Her upcoming slate includes [George Jaques](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-jaques)' feature *Sunny Dancer* (2026), [Marc Forster](https://www.edgepedia.org/marc-forster)'s *Anxious People* opposite [Angelina Jolie](https://www.edgepedia.org/angelina-jolie), *Frank and Percy* (2026), *The Alex* for Apple TV, and *Berlin Noir*, in which she plays Bertha Herzner.[1](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977)
**Feral.** In September 2026, it was reported that Gunning would return to Netflix for *Feral*, a darkly comic thriller adapted from Shirley Conran's 1987 novel. She plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan. The series follows four women who must learn to survive together on a deadly tropical island after their mining-executive husbands are kidnapped. It was created by Jude Mack, who joined *Ted Lasso* Season 4, and will be directed by Emma Freeman, with [Liza Marshall](https://www.edgepedia.org/liza-marshall) and Laurie Borg producing.[3](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/jessica-gunning-cast-feral-netflix/)
## References
1. [Jessica Gunning, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin](https://www.markhamfroggattandirwin.com/clients/jessica-gunning/)
2. [Jessica Gunning, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2934977)
3. ['Baby Reindeer' Star Jessica Gunning Returns to Netflix for Dark Comedy Series 'Feral', TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/jessica-gunning-cast-feral-netflix/)
4. [Jessica Gunning, Emmy Awards and Nominations, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jessica-gunning)
5. [Jessica Gunning, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/jessica_gunning/)
6. [Jess Gunning, Independent Talent](https://www.independenttalent.com/writers/jess-gunning/)
7. [Jessica Gunning, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jessica-gunning/)
8. [Jessica Gunning Movies on Netflix, NetflixMovies.com](https://www.netflixmovies.com/s/actor/jessica-gunning)
9. [Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning: 'I couldn't stop thinking about the characters', BBC News](https://bbc.com.im/news/entertainment-arts-68849404)
10. [Jessica Gunning Makes an Indelible Impression with Baby Reindeer, Netflix Tudum](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/jessica-gunning-makes-a-lasting-impression?inapp=true)
11. [Jessica Gunning, Golden Globes](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jessica-gunning/)
12. [Body and Gender in Miniseries (2025), Universitat de Barcelona](https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/llibres/2025/307367/SMARTIN_ed_Body_and_Gender_in_Miniseries_2025.pdf)
13. ['So Surreal': Jessica Gunning Reflects on How Award-Winning Role in 'Baby Reindeer' Changed Her Life, Variety Australia](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/so-surreal-jessica-gunning-reflects-on-how-award-winning-role-in-baby-reindeer-changed-her-life-34616/)
14. [Jessica Gunning, Fantasy Film League](https://fantasyfilmleague.com/people/jessica-gunning)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames F to Gu*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license