A Late-in-Life Revelation

In a revealing interview with The Times, Gunning described the moment of realization as surprisingly simple. A conversation with another lesbian sparked a profound shift in her understanding of herself. “I think it’s because I’ve never been in a relationship before. With anyone,” she explained, acknowledging a lifetime spent without romantic connection.

Gunning attributes her previous lack of awareness to a fulfilling life centered around her craft. “Acting is my passion and my love,” she shared. “The characters I got to play, I felt like I maybe lived vicariously through a lot of them. I felt very sexual, and I felt very connected to myself, so I was so happy in so many ways. It didn’t feel like I was lonely.” However, she readily admitted, “Yeah, apart from sex.”

The release of ‘Baby Reindeer’ proved to be a catalyst for this self-discovery. Speaking on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, Gunning described the experience as “a mega, mega thing for me.” Surrounded by LGBTQ+ friends, she hadn’t felt the need to repress anything, but simply hadn’t considered the possibility of being gay herself.

She playfully referred to herself as a “big old gay,” acknowledging a past feeling of being an outsider, “tagging along.” But the realization dawned that this feeling wasn’t about exclusion, but rather a lack of self-awareness. “No, it’s not that,” she stated firmly.

Gunning emphasized the emotional weight of coming out, describing it as “really emotional” and a “celebration of who you are.” She also expressed hope for a future where coming out becomes unnecessary, while acknowledging the power and vulnerability of the experience. “It is so exposing. But it’s also really lovely going, ‘This is my soul.’”

Navigating Success and Typecasting

The success of ‘Baby Reindeer’ hasn’t been without its challenges. Gunning revealed to Jessica Knappett on her Perfect Day podcast that she initially struggled to find work in the wake of the show’s viral popularity, while her co-star, Richard Gadd, received a flood of opportunities. “Richard has got incredible meetings out of this and everyone’s said to me, ‘What have you got?’”

The offers that did materialize included a reality TV show about sharks – now known as Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters – and a production of Peter Pan in Australia. While jokingly describing the offers as “flooding in,” Gunning ultimately opted for projects aligned with her artistic vision, including a role under Cate Blanchett’s production company.

Gunning also addressed concerns about being typecast as Martha, telling Harper’s Bazaar that she’s confident the roles coming her way are diverse enough to avoid that fate. “Though really, I don’t mind always being associated with Martha. I’m so proud to have been part of that show.”

Did You Know? Jessica Gunning also lent her voice to the audiobook adaptation of Death at the White Hart, performing every character in the production.

The legal fallout from ‘Baby Reindeer’ continues, with Fiona Harvey, the woman believed to be the inspiration for Martha, pursuing a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and Richard Gadd. Harvey alleges the series falsely portrayed her actions and caused significant harm to her reputation. Netflix maintains the show is substantially true and defends Gadd’s right to tell his story. The judge has allowed the case to proceed, focusing on the claim that Harvey has no criminal convictions, a key point of contention.

What impact do you think the outcome of this legal battle will have on the future of biographical storytelling? And how important is it for actors to separate themselves from the characters they portray, especially in emotionally demanding roles?

Frequently Asked Questions About Jessica Gunning