Jessica Gunning Thanks Richard Gadd “For Trusting Me To Be Your Martha” As She Claims First Emmy For Breakout ‘Baby Reindeer’ Turn

Jessica Gunning won her first Emmy on Sunday night for her breakout supporting turn in Baby Reindeer, Netflix‘s buzzy limited series created by and starring Richard Gadd. The win is the first of the night for the show, which previously scored at the Creative Arts Emmys with statuettes recognizing its casting and editing.

Gunning saved her “biggest thanks” in her speech for Gadd, saying, “I’ve tried so many times to put into words what working on Baby Reindeer meant, and I fail every time, so I’m going to sing…” After breaking into her now-famous laugh, she continued, “No, imagine. I’ll keep it simple and just say thank you for trusting me to be your Martha. I will never, ever forget her, or you, or this. It really means a lot, so thank you, Reindeer, and thank you for this [award].”

Gunning’s nomination, in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, was her first. Tonight, she bested talents including Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country), Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge), Aja Naomi King (Lessons in Chemistry), Diane Lane (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) and Dakota Fanning (Ripley).

Baby Reindeer is up for a total of 11 nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Other cast members recognized with nominations for their work included Gadd, Nava Mau, and Tom Goodman-Hill.

Based on Gadd’s hit Edinburgh Fringe one-man play, which was itself based on his personal experiences, Baby Reindeer emerged as a bona fide cultural phenomenon upon its April debut, spending 8 weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV (English) list and reaching the Top 10 TV in 92 countries. The show follows struggling comedian Donny Dunn’s (Gadd) warped relationship with his female stalker, Martha (Gunning), and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deeply buried trauma.

Exec produced by Wim De Greef, Petra Fried, Gadd, Matt Jarvis and Ed Macdonald, with Matthew Mulot producing, the seven-episode series is directed by Weronika Tofilska and Josephine Bornebusc.