Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning has addressed mounting fan speculation over the real “Martha”.
Starring Richard Gadd in the lead role, the Netflix series has proven popular with audiences, earning itself a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and a wealth of praise.
In it, comedian and bar worker Donny Dunn meets Martha (Gunning) while working in the local pub. What begins as flirty banter and a simple act of kindness from Donny soon becomes far more dangerous when Martha begins harassing Donny online and in real life.
A great deal of its acclaim has come from how it deals with its sensitive themes within, detailing Gadd’s real experience with a stalker which he turned into a one-man show, eventually becoming a TV series.
Related: Baby Reindeer star Nava Mau responds to “real” element of her character
The attention the show has received has led some online to try and uncover the real Martha, something the cast of the show has decried.
When asked about people trying to track down her real character online, Jessica told Glamour: “I didn’t know that was happening. I would urge people not to be doing that. I think if that is happening, I think it’s a real, real shame, because it shows that they haven’t watched the show properly. That’s not the point of it in any way. Netflix and Richard went to extreme lengths to try and make sure that the identities were kept private for a reason.
“I think they should try and watch the show again, and really see what the point of it was – it definitely wasn’t that. I deliberately didn’t want to do an impersonation of somebody, I wanted to do an interpretation of this character.”
Related: Netflix’s Baby Reindeer creator explains ambiguous ending
Richard also spoke out against the speculation after writer and director Sean Foley found himself accused of being the real-life version of Donny’s fictionalised abuser.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, he wrote: “People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly caught up in speculation. Please don’t speculate on who any of the real-life people could be. That’s not the point of our show.”
Baby Reindeer is streaming now on Netflix.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Call 999 if you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, or report any concerning situations using UK government resources or the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service. The National Stalking Helpline is open 9.30am-4pm on weekdays (and until 8pm on Wednesdays) on 0808 802 0300.
Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specialises in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
