Baby Reindeer star reveals struggle to find acting work since hit Netflix series
BABY REINDEER actress Jessica Gunning may have to start stalking telly bosses after admitting she has been offered little work since starring in the Netflix hit.
The actress won plenty of plaudits for her role as the unhinged Martha in comic Richard Gadd’s thriller, which had been seen by more than 90million people worldwide.
But despite writer and lead star Richard being undated with exciting work projects, Jessica has not been quite so fortunate.
She says: “Richard has got incredible meetings out of this and everyone’s said to me, ‘What have you got?’
“One was about sharks — Celebrity Infested Waters — where stars swim with sharks, the other was for an Australian touring production of Peter Pan to play Mr Smee.”
She added sarcastically: “I was like, ‘the offers are flooding in.’”
Jessica, who also stars in Stephen Merchant’s BBC comedy The Outlaws, admitted she was shocked how well Baby Reindeer was received following its release earlier this year but says her 17 years as an actor has helped her handle the resultant fame.
Despite the lack of interest from Hollywood execs, though, there are positives — she is now getting some interest in her scripts.
Speaking to Jessica Knappett’s Perfect Day podcast, she says: “I’ve been writing something for a million years that hopefully now is being a bit more made.
“It’s with Cate Blanchett’s production company, because I did a play with Cate five or six years ago, and I had this idea with my friend which was a pilot but things have now picked up with that.”
Sounds better than swimming with sharks.
’CHEF’S A FAR CRY TO CRAIG
IF you see tears running down Craig Doyle’s face on Celebrity MasterChef, it’s not because he’s chopping onions.
The This Morning presenter has revealed that show judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace a were so tough he went home and sobbed.
Ahead of his kitchen debut on BBC One next Tuesday, Craig said: “I’m not giving away too much, but I cried!
“They are genuinely critiquing your food, and what they say is what they think – it’s so scary.”
Presenter Craig avoided the show for years but told The Sun’s TV Mag, free in tomorrow’s paper: “A year ago, two people very close to me passed away and I went: ‘Right, I’m having a year of ‘yes’.
“The first call I received, two weeks later, was about Celebrity MasterChef.”
Bizbit
ANDREW TATE will be examined in a Discovery+ documentary about his cult-like following and human trafficking charges.
Leading minds in language and criminology will give their observation on the misogynist influencer In Andrew Tate: Icon or Toxic, which can be streamed from today.
JESSY SOLO AFTER JOEY’S NO-SHOW
BARBIE girl Jessy Potts left her Ken at home to party with her Love Island pals.
The blonde, who just missed out on this year’s final, has gushed about babies and marriage with boyfriend Joey Essex since leaving the telly villa.
But she flew solo, in a pink dress, for the dating show’s wrap party on Wednesday night at London’s Radio Rooftop bar.
Jessy had plenty of company, though, with the Islanders out in force for the boozy bash.
Casa Amor bombshell Emma Milton was glam in green, while Grace Jackson and Reuben Collins put on a united front after rumours they had already split.
Dressed in a slinky white two-piece, Grace was seen sexy-dancing with another Islander at the weekend – Omar Nyame. But last night the lad was seen cosying up to Emma, who he left with.
This bunch continues to deliver the drama.
MIKE’S TV WONDER
CHANNEL 5 will air a new series from the late Michael Mosley called Wonders Of The Human Body.
The three-parter was filmed before his death in June after he disappeared on a walk on the Greek island of Symi.
It will feature a tribute from his widow, Dr Clare Bailey, who has said: “One of Michael’s biggest passions has always been to reveal the extraordinary secrets of how our bodies work, to help us look after them.
“He spent months travelling far and wide for the making of this series.”
The documentary show will premiere on August 22.
STARS ON SONG FOR ATHLETES
VERNON KAY and Emma Willis will be applauding our Olympic heroes next weekend for Team GB’s Homecoming show on BBC One.
Staged to celebrate the athletes’ return from the Paris Games, the programme – made with The National Lottery – will feature a string of music performances.
The line-up includes Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne, James and Pete Tong.
And Olympic legends will also be on hand paying tribute to the competitors’ incredible achievements in the Games.
There will also be a look back at some of the best moments for Team GB in the French capital, of which there have been many.
The concert will take place on Saturday August 17 at the AO Arena, Manchester, and will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer the following day.