Netflix Baby Reindeer fans say Martha actress should win awards for performance that has them 'sweating'

Baby Reindeer fans have called for Jessica Gunning to win 'all the awards' for her portrayal of a sinister stalker in the new Netflix series. The drama, which has received a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, released on April 11.

It's currently the most-watched TV series in the UK Netflix charts. Based on a true story, it was written and created by Scottish comedian Richard Gadd - who also stars as comic Donny Dunn in the seven-parter.

The story is based from his real-life experiences of stalking and the twisted, dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. It centres on Donny, a failing comedian who is pulling pints in a Camden bar for a living while crashing at his ex's mother's house.

READ MORE: Real-life Netflix thriller with perfect Rotten Tomatoes score has viewers 'blown away'

It's at work that he meets Martha Scott, played by Gunning, whose previous roles have included Donna Calabrese in Sky One's Trollied and Diane Pemberley in The Outlaws. Martha is a fellow Scott who claims to be a lawyer working with top politicians. However she's so broke, she can't even afford a brew.

In an act of kindness, Donny offers her a cuppa on the house. From then on, she visits the pub every day. Their relationship soon escalates and Donny realises he's being stalked.

From being flirtatious one minute, to exploding in rage the next, to breaking down in tears moments later, Gunning portrays just about every emotional extreme of the human condition. Talking to Netflix, Gadd said of Gunning's performance: "To see Martha come alive through Jess' performance, it was something to behold.

"There were times on set where I'd be acting with her, I'd almost forget to say my line back because I was too busy going 'f****** hell, she's good.' I almost couldn't believe how much she was channelling the real-life person."

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, viewers reckon the actress should win awards for her performance - which one person said left them 'sweating.'

@tbrittonphoto reckoned: "#JessicaGunning needs to win all of the awards for her performance in #BabyReindeer. The absolute tension and depth of character she portrays as Donny stalker had me sweating!" as @starryeyeswide demanded: "Somebody go put #JessicaGunning on the @BAFTA list".

Others were surprised to learn that Gunning isn't even Scottish, despite her stellar accent. The actress grew up in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire before attending the prestigious Rose Bruford College in London. @mu5hyP33s tweeted: "MATEEEE the actress playing Martha in Baby Reindeer isn’t even Scottish in real life?? GIVE HER THE BAFTA".

Meanwhile @craigkelloggs said of the series: "Didn't know what to expect with this series...soon found myself blown away! Difficult viewing (especially episodes 4 and 6) but tremendous BAFTA-worthy work from Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning throughout. One of the best programmes of 2024 so far".

@abshir_musa wrote: "Baby Reindeer on Netflix was absolutely craaaaazy!!!!! Wow!!! Jessica Gunning needs to be awarded for her fantastic performance!!" as @nnekacriss echoed: "#BabyReindeeris incredible. It addresses trauma, exploitation, mental illness and why we should be kinder to each other. #jessicagunning #richardgadd deserve every award they are about to get."

Speaking to The Radio Times about Martha and Donny, Gunning said: "They meet each other at a time in each other's lives where they need each other, weirdly. I think as soon as I read it, whoever plays this part of Martha just cannot play her as a scary person or as a villain, you have to treat her with care and you have to really try and see every side to her as much as possible with a story like this.

"I think it would’ve been a shame to play her as a villain, because I don’t think she is that."

She continued: "Obviously, it’s based on a true story, but I decided on purpose really not to know much about the real person, because it’s not really helpful - I’m not doing an impersonation of her. All I’m doing is interpreting this character, so I didn’t really do any backstory aside from what was in the scripts."

Gunning's other TV credits include What Remains, Prime Suspect 1973, Fortitude, Inside No. 9, Law & Order: UK and Back.

All seven episodes of Baby Reindeer are available to watch now on Netflix.