Emmy-Winning ‘Baby Reindeer’ Star Jessica Gunning Signs With UTA
EXCLUSIVE: Newly minted Emmy winner Jessica Gunning has signed with UTA for representation in all areas.
The signing follows Gunning’s recognition from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 76th annual Primetime Emmys for her role in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer.
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In the critically acclaimed miniseries, Gunning stars as Martha Scott, a former lawyer with a criminal past who meets Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd, who also won an Emmy), with whom she forms a toxic, co-dependent relationship that leads both into a dark and stressful reality.
Created by Gadd, Baby Reindeer won six Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series, Lead Actor and Writing for Gadd, and Gunning’s for Outstanding Supporting Actress nod. The show came into the September 15 ceremony with 11 nominations.
In her acceptance, she thanked Gadd for the experience.
“I’ve tried so many times to put into words what working on Baby Reindeer meant, and I fail every time — so I’m going to sing…” After breaking into her now-famous laugh, she continued, “No, imagine. … I’ll keep it simple and just say thank you for trusting me to be your Martha. I will never, ever forget her, or you, or this. It really means a lot, so thank you, Reindeer, and thank you for this [award].”
Gunning currently stars in the Stephen Merchant and Elgin Games comedy The Outlaws from BBC One and Prime Video, which aired its third season in May. The series brings together a motley crew of strangers forced to do community service.
While Gunning’s character Diane Pemberley previously had troubles with the law, she is tasked with supervising the group with a stern approach. Diane isn’t well-liked but she doesn’t mind it too much because of the perceived power it gives her over the crew.
Gunning also can be seen in various roles across TV, theater and film, including Sian James in the film Pride, Jan in the Channel 4 series Back and Shirley in Fortitude, among others. Gunning also starred alongside Cate Blanchett in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other for the National Theatre.
She will continue to be represented by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and Prosper PR.
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