‘Baby Reindeer’ star Jessica Gunning she’s never dated in 40 years of her life

Jessica Gunning, 40, says she’s never been in a relationship while preparing to play Mama Cass

Jessica Gunning is speaking candidly about her personal life ahead of her starring role as Mama Cass Elliot in an upcoming biopic. The 40-year-old actress, known for her critically acclaimed performance in Baby Reindeer, revealed she has never been in a romantic relationship.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, Gunning explained that her sexuality and insecurities around dating played a large part in avoiding romance. “Everyone around me was gay. I just didn’t think I could be,” she said, adding that she came out as gay in 2022.

Gunning also reflected on her struggles with dating due to her size and social confidence, describing it as a sense of “otherness” rather than negativity. “I never knew how to flirt, I didn’t get it. I was always friends with guys and would set them up with other friends,” she admitted, explaining that she had found a natural way to avoid relationships that didn’t interest her.

Professionally, Gunning is entering a busy year. Following her role in Baby Reindeer, she is set to appear in an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree alongside Michael Palin, Lenny Henry, Claire Foy, Jennifer Saunders, Andrew Garfield, and Nicola Coughlan.

She will also star in Sunny Dancer, a film about a summer camp for teen cancer patients, alongside James Norton and Bella Ramsey. Her lead role as Mama Cass Elliot promises to showcase a new dimension of Gunning’s talent and mark a high-profile addition to her career.

Despite keeping her personal life private, Gunning’s openness about her experience with relationships sheds light on the challenges she has navigated while building a successful acting career.