Jessica Gunning, the acclaimed actress who rose to prominence in Netflix's 2024 drama sensation Baby Reindeer, has openly shared that she remained celibate until the age of 36, when she publicly came out as gay. In a candid and revealing interview, the 40-year-old performer explained how she never experienced a romantic relationship until she fully acknowledged and embraced her sexuality during a pivotal conversation with a lesbian friend in 2022.
A Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity
Gunning stated emphatically, 'I've never been in a relationship before. With anyone,' highlighting that her professional acting career largely shaped her identity during those years. She elaborated that the diverse characters she portrayed allowed her to live vicariously through their experiences, which provided a sense of fulfillment despite the absence of sexual or romantic connections in her personal life.
'I felt very sexual, and I felt very connected to myself, so I was so happy in so many ways,' Gunning reflected. 'It didn't feel like I was lonely. I lived with my best mate. I felt fulfilled. So I didn't feel like I was lacking anything.' However, in her discussion with The Sunday Times Magazine, she acknowledged that the one element missing was sex, and she pondered whether her celibacy might also be linked to her body size.
Navigating Otherness and Acceptance
'Maybe because I was bigger, I've always felt like — it's hard to word this because I don't want it to seem like I'm saying it in a negative way, because it definitely isn't, I didn't feel like an alien in a negative way — but it was like an otherness,' Gunning mused. 'And the otherness, I suppose, looking back, protects me from having to go, 'I don't fancy men.' So I was just, like, 'Oh, it's not the time for me,' or whatever. And then, before I knew it, I was in my thirties.'
Since coming out at 36, Gunning has had two girlfriends but has maintained a strong focus on her burgeoning acting career. This personal milestone serendipitously aligned with her career-defining role in Baby Reindeer, which catapulted her into the spotlight and transformed her professional trajectory.
Career Highlights and Future Projects
Gunning is set to star as Dame Washalot in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Enid Blyton's classic The Faraway Tree, sharing the screen with notable actors such as Nicola Coughlan, Claire Foy, and Andrew Garfield. The film is scheduled for release in cinemas this Friday. She expressed enthusiasm for the change in pace, noting that she landed this role the same week Baby Reindeer premiered, providing a welcome contrast and escape.
'So then when we were filming, it was a very different contrast, in a good way,' she told Refinery29. 'I think it was quite a nice world to escape to.' Additionally, Gunning will soon begin shooting for her portrayal of Cass Elliot in My Mama Cass, a biographical drama based on the Mamas & The Papas singer, adapted from Elliot's daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell's memoir.
In further career news, it was announced this week that Gunning has joined the all-star cast of Apple TV's untitled series based on Metropolis, derived from Philip Kerr's internationally bestselling book series Berlin Noir. This addition underscores her rising status in the entertainment industry and her continued commitment to diverse and challenging roles.
