Yorkshire actress Jessica Gunning, from Holmfirth, has won a Golden Globe for her performance as Martha in the Netflix series Baby Reindeer.
Gunning took home the award for Best Female Supporting Actress in Television at the Beverly Hills ceremony, where she charmed the audience with her humor and heartfelt speech.
Reflecting on her Yorkshire roots, Gunning shared an anecdote about her childhood accent and described her disbelief at her recent success, calling it the “soundtrack of my life this year.”
She also thanked series creator Richard Gadd for the opportunity to play the character, which required her to adopt a Scottish accent despite her Yorkshire upbringing.
Her mother, Val Gunning, celebrated the moment from home with family, describing the win as a mix of relief and excitement.
“When her name was announced, we went nuts,” she said, adding that the reaction in Holmfirth has been overwhelming, with friends and neighbors thrilled by Jessica’s success.
Baby Reindeer, which topped Netflix charts in both the UK and US and boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, also won Best Limited TV or Anthology Series or TV Movie at the Golden Globes.
The show, inspired by Richard Gadd’s experiences of being stalked, tells the story of a comedian and barman pursued by an older woman after an act of kindness.
While Gadd missed out on an acting award to Colin Farrell for his role in The Penguin, the series has drawn critical acclaim for its dark humor and emotional depth.
Gunning’s former teachers and schoolmates at Holmfirth High celebrated her achievement, with her Spanish teacher, Heidi Curry, recalling how Gunning’s talent and charisma were evident from a young age. “She captivated an audience and was brilliant at drama,” Curry said.
In her acceptance speech, Gunning paid tribute to her younger self, saying, “The eight-year-old me would be chuffed to bits.” She also acknowledged the transformative impact Baby Reindeer has had on her life.
Despite the series’ accolades, it has faced controversy, with Scottish woman Fiona Harvey announcing plans to sue Netflix, claiming the show falsely portrayed her as a criminal.
Netflix has pledged to defend the case vigorously.
For Gunning, the Golden Globe win marks a career milestone, and her family and hometown remain “beyond proud” of her achievement.
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