Jessica Gunning is a talented British actress. She acts in many TV shows. Her roles are funny, serious, or even scary. She makes every character special. This article talks about her best TV shows. It looks at her iconic roles and why they are great. I’m Danny D. Houston, a writer with five years of experience in entertainment. I’ve studied Jessica’s work to share why her shows are amazing. Let’s dive into her top TV roles!
Why Jessica Gunning’s Roles Are Special
Jessica Gunning is a fantastic actress. She plays all kinds of characters. Her acting feels real and grabs your attention. She can be funny or very serious. This article lists her best TV shows. It explains why her roles are iconic. We’ll look at her characters and what makes them stand out. Jessica started acting on stage. She performed at the National Theatre in England. Then, she moved to TV with small roles. Her big role in Baby Reindeer (2024) made her a star. Let’s explore her best TV shows.
Baby Reindeer (2024): A Strong and Deep Role
What Is Baby Reindeer About?
Baby Reindeer is a Netflix show. It’s a drama and thriller. The story follows Donny, a bartender and comedian. A woman named Martha stalks him. The show is based on a true story by Richard Gadd, who plays Donny. It mixes funny moments with serious ones. It talks about stalking and tough feelings. The show has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. People love it!
Jessica’s Role as Martha
Jessica plays Martha in Baby Reindeer. Martha is a woman who becomes obsessed with Donny. Her role is deep and complex. Martha is not just a bad person. She has her own problems. Jessica makes you feel for Martha, even when she’s scary. She studied famous roles, like Kathy Bates in Misery, to play Martha well. She won big awards for this role in 2024 and 2025. These include an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics’ Choice Award, and a BAFTA TV Award.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Jessica’s acting in Baby Reindeer is amazing. She makes Martha feel real. Her Yorkshire accent makes her performance special. Fans say she’s both scary and sad. One fan on X said, “Jessica’s acting makes the show unforgettable.” This role shows her talent for tough roles. It’s one of the best TV roles in recent years.
The Outlaws (2021–2024): A Funny and Tough Character
What Is The Outlaws About?
The Outlaws is a BBC One show. It’s a comedy and drama. It’s about people doing community service in Bristol. They come from different lives but get into a crime adventure. The show is funny and exciting. It ran for three seasons, from 2021 to 2024. Fans love its quirky characters and smart writing.
Jessica’s Role as Diane Pemberley
Jessica plays Diane Pemberley. Diane used to cause trouble but now leads community service. She’s strict but funny. Jessica makes Diane fun and lovable. She even wrote an episode in season three. Her acting adds humor and heart to the show. Diane is a fan favorite because of Jessica.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Diane feels like someone you know. Jessica makes her funny and caring. Her humor is sharp, and her scenes are great. Fans love how she steals the show. One fan on X said, “Jessica is hilarious as Diane!” This role shows she’s great at comedy and can make any character special.
Back (2017–2021): A Funny Role
What Is Back About?
Back is a Channel 4 comedy. It stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb. It’s about Stephen, who runs his family’s pub after his dad dies. His foster brother, Andrew, causes trouble. The show is full of funny, awkward moments. It ran for two seasons, from 2017 to 2021. Fans love its British humor.
Jessica’s Role as Jan
Jessica plays Jan, a barmaid at the pub. Jan is loyal and a bit clumsy. She’s very funny. Jessica’s chemistry with the stars makes her scenes shine. Her comedic timing is perfect. Even in a small role, she makes Jan special with her charm.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Jan is iconic because Jessica makes her stand out. She’s funny and relatable. Fans on X say, “Jessica is great in small roles!” This role shows her comedy skills. She makes every character feel big, even in a supporting part.
What Remains (2013): A Serious Drama
What Is What Remains About?
What Remains is a BBC drama. It’s about a woman’s body found in an apartment building. The residents have secrets. The show is a slow mystery with deep characters. It aired in 2013. It’s known for its strong story and creepy feel.
Jessica’s Role as Melissa Young
Jessica plays Melissa Young. Melissa is a quiet, complex woman. Her story unfolds slowly. Jessica’s acting is soft but strong. She makes you care about Melissa. Her performance adds depth to the show’s serious tone.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Melissa feels very real because of Jessica. She shows Melissa’s pain and mystery. This role proves Jessica can do serious drama. Critics say she makes quiet characters unforgettable. This performance is a great example of her talent.
Law & Order: UK (2009–2013): An Early Role
What Is Law & Order: UK About?
Law & Order: UK is a British crime show. It’s based on the American version. It follows police and lawyers solving crimes. The show aired from 2009 to 2013. It’s fast-paced with a strong cast. It mixes police work and courtroom drama.
Jessica’s Role as Angela
Jessica plays Angela, a young woman in trouble. She appears in early seasons. Her acting is raw and emotional. Even in a small role, she makes Angela feel real. This was one of her first big TV parts.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Angela is iconic because it showed Jessica’s talent early on. She made a small role stand out. This part helped her get bigger roles. It proves she can make any character important.
Fortitude (2015–2017): A Scary Role
What Is Fortitude About?
Fortitude is a Sky Atlantic thriller. It’s set in a cold Arctic town. Strange crimes happen, and the town gets shaken up. The show mixes mystery, horror, and drama. It aired from 2015 to 2017. Fans love its creepy setting.
Jessica’s Role as Shirley Allerdyce
Jessica plays Shirley Allerdyce. Shirley is a troubled but kind woman. Jessica’s acting makes her unforgettable. She brings depth to Shirley. Her scenes are intense and fit the show’s dark mood.
Why This Role Is Iconic
Shirley is iconic because Jessica makes her haunting and human. She handles the show’s dark tone well. Fans on X call her performance “chilling.” This role shows her skill in tough, dramatic parts.
Other TV Roles Worth Watching
Jessica has been in many TV shows. Here are some more great roles:
- Doctor Who (2008): She had a small part in the episode “Partners in Crime.” She stood out during David Tennant’s time as the Doctor.
- Prime Suspect 1973: She played WPC Kath Morgan, a police officer. Her role added heart to this crime prequel.
- In the Dark (2017): She played DC Sophie Carson, a detective. Her acting was strong in this gritty show.
- Trolled (2011–2019): She played Donna, a funny security guard. Her humor made the role great.
These roles show Jessica’s range. She can do sci-fi, crime, or comedy. She always makes her characters special.
Why Jessica Gunning Is Amazing
She Can Do Any Role
Jessica is great at comedy, drama, and thrillers. She makes every character feel real. Her theatre training helps her. She performed in plays like Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre. This makes her TV roles strong.
Her Awards
Jessica won big awards for Baby Reindeer in 2024 and 2025. These include:
- Primetime Emmy Award for Supporting Actress
- Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress
- Screen Actors Guild Award
- BAFTA TV Award
- Critics’ Choice Television Award
These awards show how much people love her work. At the Golden Globes, she gave a funny speech about almost tripping. Fans loved her charm.
She Connects with Fans
Jessica’s Yorkshire accent makes her relatable. Fans on X call her a “real” person, not a fancy star. She came out as a lesbian in 2022, which made fans admire her honesty. She brings this realness to her roles.
How Jessica Compares to Other Actors
Jessica is like actresses such as Kathy Bates and Cate Blanchett. Bates praised her Baby Reindeer role at the 2025 Golden Globes. Jessica worked with Blanchett in theatre, showing she can shine with big stars. Like Jessica Chastain, she plays many kinds of roles. But Jessica’s British TV focus and down-to-earth style make her unique. Her characters feel real, even in wild stories.
How to Watch Jessica’s Shows
Want to see Jessica’s best roles? Here’s how:
- Baby Reindeer: On Netflix. It’s intense but shows her best work.
- The Outlaws: On BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime. Great for comedy fans.
- Back: On Channel 4 or Amazon Prime. It’s a quick, funny show.
- What Remains: On BBC iPlayer. Perfect for mystery lovers.
- Fortitude: On Sky Atlantic or Amazon Prime. It’s a dark thriller.
Check streaming platforms in your area.
What’s Next for Jessica?
Jessica’s career is growing fast. She’s working on:
- The Christophers, a dark comedy with Steven Soderbergh.
- The Magic Faraway Tree with Nicola Coughlan.
- Sunny Dancer with Bella Ramsey.
She’s also narrating an audiobook, Death at the White Hart. Fans on X are excited, with one saying, “Jessica will keep surprising us!” She wants to do a detective show like Broadchurch. Her future looks bright.
Final Thoughts
Jessica Gunning’s TV roles are amazing. She shines as Martha in Baby Reindeer and Diane in The Outlaws. Her work in Back, What Remains, Law & Order: UK, and Fortitude shows her talent. She can do comedy, drama, or thrillers. Her awards and fan love prove she’s special. Watch her shows to see why she’s one of Britain’s best actresses.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not promotional or an affiliate article. I do not make money if you watch or buy anything mentioned here. All details are based on public information at the time of writing. I am not responsible for any mistakes, updates, or changes.
