“Some of these stalkers could be dangerous, they could be violent”: Baby Reindeer’s Jessica Gunning is Afraid For Her Safety After Disturbing Online Threats
Cyberstalking is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences, and it’s happening to a cast member of a popular new Netflix show. The disturbing trend is now plaguing Jessica Gunning, the actress who portrayed the stalker herself in the hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer.
It is a comedy drama-thriller that deals with dark and serious topics. It centers around a struggling comedian named Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), who experiences a nightmarish situation.
Donny gets entangled in the life of a female customer named Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning). Turns out Martha is a dangerous serial stalker who begins stalking him relentlessly. This completely disrupts his life. While the show doesn’t directly focus on cyberstalking, it explores the concept of stalking in a broader sense.
Online Threats Leave Baby Reindeer Star Jessica Gunning Fearful
Jessica Gunning portrays Martha, a lonely psychotic woman who becomes fixated on Donny, portrayed by Richard Gadd, in the Netflix show Baby Reindeer. Unfortunately, some viewers seem to have blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Gunning has been bombarded with abusive messages and threats from people who believe she is the real-life stalker. What’s even scarier is that she’s worried about her safety because people are threatening to stalk her. The 38-year-old told Daily Record:
“These people are nutters. It’s a cult thing like the Moonies. I’ve had to block people who say they are determined to stalk me the same way I am stalking them. Apparently, I play with baby reindeers all day. What upsets me is that some of these stalkers could be dangerous. They could be violent. I could be killed. I’m not suicidal. I’m not the type, but I think this would have driven anyone else to suicide. I really do.”
The ongoing harassment has really affected Gunning emotionally. She’s scared for her safety, thinking that some of these online threats might become real and violent. The West Yorkshire native feels like her privacy has been invaded, and she’s worried that this whole situation could cause lasting psychological harm.
Jessica Gunning is Completely Different From Martha Scott
While Jess certainly shines as the star of Netflix’s mini-series, she’s nothing like her character in real life. Her actor friend Muzz Khan, who worked with her on the sitcom Trollied, told The Mirror:
“I hope people don’t think Jessica’s like Martha because she’s not at all. She’s a lovely, lovely actress, warm and funny and proud of her Northern roots. I’m delighted for her and I really hope it catapults her career even further.”
Cyberstalking can have a serious impact on an actors’ mental health and safety. It’s important to remember that the stars are also real people, and online harassment can be incredibly frightening for them, too.
Watch Baby Reindeer on Netflix.
