Emmy Winning 'Baby Reindeer' Stars Reveal Audition Tapes & Break Down Donny Meeting Martha Scene

Creator/actor Richard Gadd, along with actor Jessica Gunning, and director Weronika Tofilska discuss the 'Baby Reindeer" scene when Martha first enters Donny's bar. They break down the process of shooting it from Donny's point of view, how the scene mimics a love story and the ways it differs from the real life story. They also share the story of how Jessica was cast in the role of Martha, and give a peek at her audition tape.
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[@enola8800]

man she played that role so well, she needs more recognition

[@k0htp0t]

The amount of shock I had once I heard the allegedly real Martha speaking in comparison to Jessica's acting.. Holy shit

[@abattiste3921]

👆🏾💁🏾👆🏾

[@vickilyon8463]

So true, she needs to win an award for this performance. 🎉

[@loveangel999]

yes she nailed the role, she needs to get cast in more psychological movies 🙏🏼

[@TheDamagedKoda]

Have you seen her in "the outlaws"?

[@Capricorn152]

I need this to be the rise of Jessica Gunning, she's been one of the UK's most talented, underrated actresses for years

[@ClumsyFoxJunk]

Honestly feel like she needs that Olivia Coleman style huge rise to stardom with big roles

[@92RedRevolver]

She was in an early episode of Inside No. 9, playing an Australian backpacker. She's definitely memorable!

[@ianmcdougall4930]

Surely it must be. Everyone is watching this series.

[@perryjones7771]

She reminds me of Ann Dowd I could totally see them going toe to toe in a drama.

[@zeldamage001]

Really interesting to see how Marthy is mostly such a repulsive character, while Jessica is quite attractive. That's good acting!

[@mikasablackerman6776]

It’s crazy how Jessica nailed the role despite not knowing anything about the real person.

[@SimFiftyFifty]

Yeah exept for the 41 000 emails and the 350 hours of voicemail messages..

[@melodychipfakacha20]

@@SimFiftyFifty😂😂😂😂

[@georgiavega93]

⁠@@SimFiftyFifty Richard says that Jessica was only given the script - no factual emails or voicemail messages. Of course the “made up” ones would’ve been in there. She didn’t need the real ones to nail the role 👏

[@pohandrek8182]

@@SimFiftyFifty SENT FROM MY IPHON

[@meghnagidwani9406]

​@@georgiavega93 I think they might also be saying that to avoid further lawsuits.

[@MrSebbysmith]

One feature that has been totally ignored but begs to be addressed is how genius the use of music in this series was. It conveyed so much emotion and was spot on every time

[@evanrlawson]

This is one of my favorite facets of the show!

[@darthvayden3188]

The score of this show is absolutely amazing! I couldn't agree more with you!

[@lyledeyounges1276]

dis Jessica shes luvlyy nd talentedd Sent from my iPhone

[@pohandrek8182]

iPhon u mean?

[@erinys2]

@@pohandrek8182i dont understand how she mispelled that its literally automated😭

[@pohandrek8182]

@@erinys2 nooo, that's how it sounds when fiona harvey says iPhone 🤣🤣

[@erinys2]

@@pohandrek8182 I meant fiona like how did she misspell it lmao

[@verm7912]

@@erinys2 its because its supposed to show that she wasn't actually using an iphone, she was lying about it

[@blump5080]

I can't believe Jessica isn't Scottish, her accent is spot on! Brilliant performances all round

[@edrosa3485]

When Jessica does that monologue at the end explaining the term "baby reindeer"; she earned everybody's paycheck.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

I want them to win all the trophies. No show has stuck in my head the way this one has. I’m constantly remembering moments and re-analyzing it. Every piece was executed so well.

[@Sennario]

Props to the director , she took a one man show and turned it into an absolute masterpiece 👏👏👏

[@Kang_Hee-ri]

Agreed. She's a very talented director. I've got a feeling she'll get to the level of Kathryn Bigelow.

[@MSeliskaZ]

I need more than 15 minutes of them. Those actors are just.. incredible talents . And huge props to Richard, I wouldn’t be able to re-live such parts of my life🙏🏻🩷 and Jessica’s laugh&accent😅🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 -Sent from my iPhon

[@TheDamagedKoda]

Wtf? Lol

[@etvscandalfanpage2011]

@MSeliskaZ 🤣🤣🤣

[@cd-ee9mf]

I really hope she gets more recognition. She's amazing!

[@lekarzkto]

The director, Weronika Tofilska, is one to keep an eye on.

[@prettyfarfromOK]

Polska gurooom

[@Kang_Hee-ri]

Agreed. She's a very talented director. I've got a feeling she'll get to the level of Kathryn Bigelow.

[@NayatSarı]

Jessica was perfect; she played her role amazingly. I admired her acting skills with adoration as I watched. Richard was also giving his best. His naive emotions and expressive eyes completed the performance. Their energy together contributed to the intensity, and it was just great how they went from spontanous to decadent livestyles because of their psychological states. I know it's a true story, and what I'm writing might not be adequate, but they deserve every recognition with this modern masterpiece. This was a very interesting way to depict healing from such abuse and obsession. Gives me also Fleabag vibes because of the making of from the stand-up show to television. Well done to all the cast and crew!

[@TheOnlyDuolinguist]

As someone who has been stalked, this is the most eerily accurate depiction I have seen. And seeing how well Jessica Gunning was able to act as Martha was insane after seeing the real Martha on Piers Morgan. She is such an amazing actress!

[@Jeanninecomeau]

Me too. I just got passed being stalked for 5 years and the scene where he has all the evidence on the wall trying to figure it all out and not doing anything else was so true. I lived it

[@pearlofagirlnursery]

YES. Especially the self-blame and the complicated feelings of having someone interested in you feeling good, but the person being scary being….well, scary. So many mixed feelings and anxieties.

[@bellaccarter]

I love the consideration and compassion she has for Martha. Also, this show is proof that you can cast unknowns as leads and still have a hugely successful show.

[@user-20deal]

I’m so glad the director cares so much about this project

[@andrastetriformis6241]

Jessica is a stunning actress. Can't wait to see her in more roles. ❤

[@renge31]

this show has had the best cast and crew to ever exist

[@hansreetoo3928]

Jessica is such a wonderful actress. She nailed the part of Martha so well that her performance looked so real on screen. Great acting prowess!

[@MrMdprosser]

I just finished The Outlaws series on Amazon that Jessica Gunning stars in, and it further proved to me what an incredible actress she is. Completely different character that was absolutely hilarious. She's just brilliant, and I'll watch anything with her in it from now on.

[@maryhitchings7353]

Jess Gunning is so gorgeous and talented. From the first episode I had to pause and go down a rabbit hole of her IMDb and clips from her scenes. She does such a perfect job of creating empathy.

[@meiji_apollo]

Hope to see more of Jessica after this, she deserves all the praise for that performance!

[@69RockLobster420]

Nobody talks about the lighting in the show enough! The scene where Donny notices Martha sitting at the bar, zoned out clearly upset, and the room gets dark and light it shown on her. And then in the darker scenes with Darrien, during the drug use, the room is red and it almost feels like floating, but also like being trapped, and I feel like it captured the "I'm way too high right now" feeling (as someone who has tripped out before.) His freakout at Darrien's with the spiritual music actually gave me anxiety, it was so well done. Atmosphere really makes a scene!

[@InfoWhores]

I'm so impressed with Jessica!! She's crazy talented, deserves to be on stage/screen

[@bottlepop7]

She deserves so many awards for this show, after seeing the real Marthas interview, I believe she did such an incredible job!

[@srm0520]

She was absolutely amazing in this. I love that that’s her real laugh! 😂

[@veronikam1449]

Jessica looks beautiful with her natural hair! incredible actress

[@elevatorface]

She's so charming :3. I was sold on watching Baby Reindeer when I saw Gunning was in it. Fantastic casting since she's so likeable on screen that it really drove through her relatability. The character wasn't simply vilified as a stalker, but really humanised and layered. I loved how this show was written and acted so much that I re-watch it sometimes in the background. I hope Gunning blows up and gets more and more interesting projects.

[@jasmineday6691]

I decided to watch Baby Reindeer one evening and got really into it. It's gripping, exciting, I had to know what happened next. I got to episode 4... The things Donny had endured in episode 4 was extremely similar to what had happened to me (not the drugs). I was sexually assaulted and had a similar thing to Donny, I froze on the spot as it happened. I felt dirty 24/7, I could not feel clean in the shower. No matter how red RAW my skin was, mind racing each day. I really did sympathise with Donny, I wanted to give Donny a hug and never let go. I never cry at movies/films/series, but I sobbed after episode 4.

[@daisybuckley5846]

This show was a masterpiece. They deserve all the awards possible 💗Jessica was phenomenal

[@cptPerseus]

Jessica is such a sweet soul; it's really mind-blowing that she nailed her role so perfectly.

[@nicolepopps9332]

I still can't get this show out my head. It was absolutely amazing!

[@theearlynovamber8295]

Just finished watching the series all in one sitting. It’s so damn good, Jessica & Donny, bravo!

[@65amandaw]

Now RG and JG both Emmy and Golden Globe winners!!! So well deserved. One of best ever TV drama series! 🥇🏆

[@alexmousley7213]

Great to see Weronika, Richard and Jessica interviewed - what incredible talent they have. Baby Reindeer was uttterly hypnotic- everything about it was quality. I have, of course, also been following the drama after the drama which now has it's own plot as more people go on Piers Morgan to tell their stories. Before I get sidetracked.. Jessica's acting was so compelling- it was truely amazing how she could convey so many contradictory emotions as the stalker, Richard's writing and acting was great and I loved the camerawork, too.

[@ЛилияФёдорова-х3ъ]

the writing, directing, filming, acting and editing. everything is just so correct about this project. i also love how fleabag also was a one-woman show first with also main writer acting out the scenes.

[@INNOCENTWIZZARDS]

Brilliantly played. Brilliantly directed. Greetings form a fellow Polish guy. :-)

[@ScarlettB]

Jessica did a disturbing great job, may this role give her more opportunities. To Robert, wishing you continued healing.

[@Legendryhorizon]

after that piers morgan interview, i see jessica gunning in a completely different light she was actually insane in this role

[@pa2707]

Oh the shot at 2:31 and then the last scene of the series when Donny looks at the bartender. Brilliant! And Jessica better get that Emmy. Nobody deserves it more than her!

[@marcialaboo3996]

This was the most captivating show that I've seen in a long time. They all did such a great job!

[@kateapple1]

At first, I didn’t like the show I thought it was gonna be another one of those stalker shows like that show YOU on Netflix…boy am I glad I didn’t turn it off. This was one of the most groundbreaking soul piercing emotionally beautiful shows I’ve ever watched. I wish I could watch it twice. ❤❤❤

[@wonderwoman5528]

I’m so thrilled this was directed by a woman director. She did an incredible job

[@greyLeicester]

You almost sound surprised. As if we were incapable of creating such level of artistry 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@wonderwoman5528]

@@greyLeicester maybe because there aren’t many high profile female directors, why does everything have to be an argument online?

[@Steven_Dunbar]

​@@greyLeicester That's just how you interpreted their comment I don't think they were implying that. I think they were praising her work.

[@nikirrae8495]

@@greyLeicesterbut they aren’t surprised. They were just expressing that they are happy to find out it is. No need to take simple compliments and twist them.

[@naomialr]

While watching this series I KNEW it had to be directed by a woman. It’s so good and complex

[@endorkugo]

jessica gunning is finally getting the recognition she deserves!!!!! i hope she will be in more prominent roles

[@bendylyz5705]

Incredible talent. And Jessica is definitely winning an award for her amazing performance.

[@rosevlogs4210]

My heart starts racing when I see the actor now.

[@katz0625]

She’s absolutely the most talented woman ever!! I wish I know Richard!! The things that he’s been through just touched me-well so many-and I wish there was a way for telling people that in person. To thank them for it

[@ronnievinsmoke]

This is my first time seeing Jessica as herself and not Martha and she looks so beautiful! I think it was harder to notice while I was watching the show cause I was scared of her the whole time lol she did such an incredible job.

[@colinthemarines]

I mean, she’s purposely made up in the show to look older, unkempt, and frumpy. The type of styling and costumes used in television make a huge difference, so what she looked like as Martha isn’t representative of what she looks like in real life (as seen here).

[@suzanne6441]

It was brilliant. I put off watching it for months because I thought I dreaded the discomfort of it - but I'm watching it a second time now. To take that and make it into something so real, into art - genius.

[@jstringer4900]

The acting in this was off the charts. Bravo everyone!

[@tiredcansada]

Amazing actress!!! The star of this show for sure

[@EduDworzecki]

She absolutely deserves all the awards and recognition! Absolutely phenomenal job! Bravo!!!

[@Makeupgal3000]

she played this so well. amazing

[@galefraney]

Jessica played the role with amazing nuance, instantly being able to oscillate between being incredibly sweet, witty, intelligent, confused, nasty, agressive, down right scary ... her performance was absolute perfection!! In fact, when I saw the "real" Fiona on Piers Morgan, even though there were similarities, I found the real-life "Martha" to be far more flat and one-dimensional, she lacked the sweet and lovable side that Jessica was able to bring to the character.

[@matth3w2002]

It’s so great to see so many female rising stars this past year Jessica Gunning, Lily Gladstone, etc.

[@dazem8]

This was filmed perfectly and such an interesting subject matter too. The protagonist acknowledged what he did to possibly encourage Martha's behavior.

[@maxhoppenbrouwers3796]

One of a kind show, deserves everything it’s gotten!

[@ilovepeanutbutter111]

claps to everyone who was apart of this production, richard was amazing in it and the writing was perfect for what he was going for, he made me go through so many different emotions and i think that was intended. and jessicas performance is so unbelievably believable, seeing her as herself was so shocking!! incredible series 👏👏

[@nuuked]

i previously already felt that the cinematograph in baby raindeer was simply amazing, so i really loved hearing what the thought process of the beginning shots was !! all in all such a great piece of film honestly

[@nathalieandparis]

She is a truly fantastic actress and she seems like the nicest person!

[@PhilMcKraken05]

All the actors and actresses nailed it. Teri is such a powerful person that was needed in the story and I wished we could have heard from her actress

[@LogicalVelocity]

Jessica's portrayal and acting was genius. The roller coaster of emotions from feeling empathy, to fear, to blind hatred, to feeling that characters vulnerability while playing off Gadd's own rollercoaster and all he went through. Just amazing. The Director did an outstanding job too. Not since Trainspotting or Requiem for a Dream did a show/movie make me feel physically sick from watching it.

[@devileye90]

it’s rare to encounter a really great actor once in awhile.

[@guitou]

give Jessica Gunning and the rest of the team some trophies!

[@denisaboomtown4199]

This show is outstanding, glad for them all

[@Jeanninecomeau]

I'm glad the director said it was like a love story because I kind of saw it that way too.

[@funeemonkee3]

me and my friends watched this show together and it really broke me when i first watched it, what he went through? heartbreaking, i honestly related to some scenes, which was scary to see on screen. i'm so proud of this guy talking about what he went through and how his story brought other male SA victims to talk about their stories aswell.

[@Markdotea]

I’m obsessed with Jessica! She’s outstanding

[@NikkieNightingale77]

Great interview best thing I ever did was watch Baby Reindeer. I'm so glad Jessica was cast as Martha she's an amazing actress. I keep telling everyone to watch it now. 🙂🙂🙂

[@DiamondWhite91]

This also shows his amazing skill at writing.. He wrote her character so well

[@BlueberryCheesecake8]

Damn she’s so beautiful and talented. I would love to see her in more shows and movies

[@chiaragirolami6084]

How was it for Richard to almost relive all of these moments he's been through in such a detailed way... Does he talk about this in any interviews?

[@Merveye]

She laughs wonderfully and she is so attractive and i think the actress made it so believable that people act soft on Martha because she is really attractive and warm. And she is also very good at her job i can’t believe how she is soooo different than real martha but she also same.

[@arupsan]

Just finished full episodes all in one go … this is one of a great performance … by Jessica .. the laughing part is actually worked .. I would say she became the character itself so authentic from the original person .

[@GoddesssofMind]

Give her all the awards ❤❤❤❤

[@Chris-gf5yd]

I'm so glad she perservered, she was so amazing in that role

[@lorrrdy]

So, is she gonna win an Emmy for lead or supporting actress? Because she has to win one, they just have to decide in which category to put her. Her performance was phenomenal!

[@Jeanninecomeau]

I've watched it twice now and still go back to watch specific episodes.

[@JoJo-ju7xw]

give her all the awards . . . all of them . . .

[@StuartPacker]

Wonderful creativity. Super talented actors. Mesmerising Storytelling 👏

[@AL-fl4jk]

Was in the middle of Outlaws when Baby Reindeer came out, barely recognized her. Incredible actor

[@deneml3836]

Sweep all the awards queen, rise and shine ❤❤❤

[@karaleigh_eva]

i desperately need more content from each of these artists, pretty pls and thank u

[@NeroElla]

Phenomenal show, Phenomenal acting/ directing and writing👌

[@ashdarq]

Thank god they went with Jess!!!! Incredible show, perfectly executed.

[@Jackieb741]

Absolutely incredible actors. She BECAME her.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

And almost all LGBTQ+ cast and a woman directing and it’s the hit of the year. You love to see it.

[@Rebecca-x]

Think we can all agree they chose the right actress. So talented

[@lilcrazyart8306]

Respect for the show

[@shaniton1519]

She is amazing! Wonderful

[@ladym1991]

Totally didn’t see that story coming! Really enjoyed this unique series and all the good acting and direction!! 😯👍🎭🏆🥇

[@Fionn-Greyship]

I just looove Jessica Gunning

[@pattheticc]

This woman is phenomenal

[@italyc9132]

She did so well in that role she definitely sold it

[@deborah2561]

Astonishing performance of Jessica❤

[@meeks1201]

They are all incredibly talented and so intelligent

[@kurtsiecolferites2160]

If Jessica doesn’t win an Emmy for her role as Martha I’m rioting

[@sagefi1]

Really great acting in this show. It's nice to see great actors that I hadn't seen before.

[@MissyTC-86]

She’s so charming

[@sanaakram2733]

Jessica is a top tier actress 💯

[@kikithepupper6774]

Her acting was 👌👌👌 wow wow