Martha’s giggle is very infectious, but also unnerving. Is that yours? Or something you created?

I don’t think I thought this through because it really is my laugh. If Richard does ever go back to stand up, I probably need to warn him I’m in the audience otherwise he might get scared. If I laugh now, my friends will be like: ‘Oooh!’ [jumps in shock].

When you look at the plot, there’s nothing instantly appealing about the bones of it: it’s a show about stalking and trauma. In a world where there’s so much darkness in real life, can you understand what has made this show resonate?

I’m fascinated by that too! I’m not actually sure what the answer is. I think when you read what it’s about, you think one thing. And then you’re surprised because it’s so much more than that. And maybe that’s what people are getting lured in by. I think it shows that audiences are hungry for complicated stories and want to be challenged. Some of these conversations we’ve been having since it came out, I find it hard to answer, I don’t know what the right answer is. We’re so used to wanting to be right or not wanting to say anything wrong, and actually, Richard’s bravery just shows that life is complicated. Mistakes can be made.

You’re not on social media. At this point do you feel quite relieved about that?

I’m not sure how interesting my real life is to be on social media! So I’m quite pleased I’m not on there, but my friends have been screen-grabbing comments that are very lovely and sending those over.

We’ve been talking about palate cleanser TV at Stylist – the show you have to watch after watching something intense like Baby Reindeer. What’s yours?

Bluey! My little nephew loves Bluey, but I just watch it on my own. I think it’s the best thing ever and I cry my eyes out at some of the episodes. It’s so lovely. From Baby Reindeer to Bluey! [laughs]

The show has really made people stop and think, and perhaps shifted their understanding of themselves/their worlds. Is there anything else that’s affected you so much recently?

I was incredibly affected by All Of Us Strangers. I saw it about three times, and it changed me a bit. Not to be too wanky, but art really can change people’s lives. And I think that’s so exciting that I get to be in an industry where, occasionally, something will come along and people really react to it. That’s why if anyone says to me they don’t like Gogglebox, I always judge them. It’s such a heartwarming thing because it just shows you how universal certain things can be. Also, Baby Reindeer was on Gogglebox the other day, which I was thrilled about.

As you should be! Do you think anything you can do in the future can live up to this role?

I don’t know how anything can, to be honest. I don’t think anything will ever match Martha, really. I remember when we did Pride, Imelda Staunton said, if we never work again, we can say we’ve been in that film. And I feel that with Martha. If I never work again, I can say I was in Baby Reindeer. I’m so proud of it.

That’s made me a bit emotional hearing you say that…

I got a bit emotional then too! Sorry. But she’s the role of a lifetime.

Meet Jessica Gunning, the face of Netflix’s most dark and suffocating TV show, Baby Reindeer