Baby Reindeer star on 'role of a lifetime' in disturbing stalker drama
Baby Reindeer, Netflix’s latest word-of-mouth hit, has many people fascinated, disturbed and shocked.
The series is based on the true story of how Scottish comedian Richard Gadd was stalked by a woman after a brief, innocuous encounter in a London pub.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Baby Reindeer and references to sexual assault.
The drama also depicts how Gadd was groomed and raped by an older man he considered a friend, and the harrowing impact on his life.
The actor wrote and stars in Baby Reindeer as himself, although he changed his character’s name to Donny. Jessica Gunning plays Martha, the troubled fantasist who stalks him.
Gunning spoke to me about not seeing Martha as a “villain” and “feeling a responsibility” to her co-star.
We first meet Martha in the pub where Donny works, confidently telling him she is a high-flying lawyer who mixes with politicians and owns flats across London, but in same breath saying she can’t afford a cup of tea.