Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning has revealed what it was like coming out as gay aged 36. The actress, now 38, is best known for starring as stalker Martha Scott in the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer earlier this year. She shot to fame thanks to her award-winning role in the series, with more interest being taken in her personal life.
Jessica, who has been a longtime LGBTQ+ activist, came out as gay in November 2022. She revealed it was a "mega, mega thing" for her and that she told her family that Christmas . The TV star said it was a "little secret" she had been keeping, even from herself.
Jessica proudly shared her sexuality in an interview as a story was published, quoting her calling herself a "big old gay". However, when collecting The Culture Award at this year's Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar Jessica shared: "I kind of meant it in a throwaway way, like 'big ol' gay'. But the next thing it is like ' Jessica Gunning comes out as a big, old gay'.
I mean those three words are true so I guess I have to own it." Jessica starred in the 2014 film Pride, which portrayed a group of gay activists joining the miners' strike in the 1980s. To celebrate the film's tenth anniversary, Jessica was invited to do a question and answer session with fans.
Speaking on stage, she said: "I realised I actually hadn't seen the film since coming out, so I said I would love to be there and watch it. "It was really emosh actually. I have always obviously been a big, old gay.