If there’s one show we can’t stop talking about, it’s Baby Reindeer. At the time of writing, it’s Netflix’s number one show worldwide, with over 52 million hours viewed so far.

Richard Gadd’s seven-part Netflix series follows his real-life experience of being stalked. Fans have praised the show’s sensitive portrayal of trauma and mental health issues and for not playing into a ‘victim v villain’ narrative, particularly in the way it portrays Martha (Jessica Gunning) as she becomes increasingly obsessed with Donny (Gadd).

In her first-ever cover shoot, Gunning sat down with Stylist to talk about what she describes as the “role of a lifetime”. In the interview, which will be available to read on Stylist+ on Tuesday 30 April, Gunning talks about the complexities of playing Martha and the recognition the show has received. “I don’t think any of us expected it to have this kind of impact,” she says while talking about how often she’s being recognised on the street.

Gunning also speaks about the show’s many twists and turns, and praises it for turning our perceived idea of what it should be about on its head. “I think when you read what it’s about, you think one thing. And then you’re surprised because it’s so much more than that,” she says. “I think it shows that audiences are hungry for complicated stories and want to be challenged.”

To read the full interview with Gunning when it’s out next Tuesday, sign up for a Stylist+ subscription to access exclusive online articles, digital editions of Stylist magazine and much more. 

Images: Netflix