British actress Jessica Gunning, star of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, has come out publicly as gay. The 38-year-old actress, who plays the character Martha in the hit thriller-comedy series, shared her personal story during a recent podcast interview.
A Personal Revelation
Speaking with journalist Josh Rein on his podcast Reign with Josh Smith, Gunning marked Pride Month by discussing her journey to self-discovery. “I came out in November 2022. And that was a mega, mega thing for me,” she revealed. “I am surrounded by gays, like all my friends are gay, so it wasn’t that I was repressing anything, it was just that I didn’t think that I could be.
She continued, “I still can’t articulate it in the best way. But I realized I was a big, old gay. I was like, ‘That’s what it’s been, that’s what it is’. And that was like a massive moment where everything kind of clicked and I made sense of myself then.”
Signs Along the Way
Gunning mentioned that she had noticed signs about her sexuality throughout her life. One of the most memorable moments was kissing Cate Blanchet in 2019. Yup, that’ll do it. She starred in the National Theatre production of When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, where she shared a stage smooch with Blanchett. “I should have known then. All these signs from pre-Reindeer staring me in the face.”
She also played a role in the 2014 film Pride, which told the true story of LGBTQ+ activists supporting the miners’ strike in the UK.
Feeling Like an Outsider
Before coming out, Gunning admitted she felt out of place. “For so long, I’d thought, ‘I know I’m a bigger woman,’ and I thought that maybe it was to do with my size that I felt a bit like almost alien or like I was tagging along,” she explained. “But as soon as I realized, I was like, ‘No, it’s that,’ and that was like the most liberating thing.”
Celebrating Authenticity
Baby Reindeer, which tells the harrowing true story of a comedian stalked by a woman named Martha, features Gunning in a standout role. The show, written by and starring LGBTQ+ comedian Richard Gadd, showcases a wealth of queer talent. Gadd, who Martha stalked after offering her a cup of tea, portrays his experiences through the character Donny Dunn. The show also features trans actress Nava Mau, who plays Donny’s girlfriend Teri.
Living Her Truth
Gunning’s story is a testament to the power of living one’s truth. As she continues to shine on and off the screen, she inspires others to embrace their true selves. Happy Pride Month to Jessica Gunning and everyone celebrating their unique identities!
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