Jessica Gunning Triumphs Over Acting Icons Kathy Bates and Jodie Foster at 2025 SAG Awards: ‘They Were on My Vision Board’

Jessica Gunning’s star continues to rise, with the Baby Reindeer actress securing yet another major accolade for her standout performance. 

At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on February 23, 

Gunning took home the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.

The win was particularly meaningful for Gunning, as some of the very actors she once admired from afar were among her competition. 

The 38-year-old actress reflected on her journey, recalling how she once made vision boards featuring industry icons she aspired to meet and work with—

among them, Kathy Bates and Jodie Foster.

A Dream Turned Reality

Gunning, overwhelmed with emotion during her acceptance speech, took a moment to reflect on her career and the hard work that led her to this achievement.

“When I first started acting, I had an office job alongside acting for about eight years,” she shared, revealing that she used to make vision boards with images of actors she admired.

She then acknowledged her fellow nominees, expressing deep appreciation for being recognized alongside some of Hollywood’s finest.

“Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster, and Kathy Bates were on that vision board,” she said. “So to be listed amongst them today, but also alongside Lily [Gladstone] and Cristin [Milioti], who gave performances that absolutely knocked my socks off, really means more to me than I can ever express.”

A Career-Defining Role in Baby Reindeer

Gunning’s award-winning role as Martha Scott in Baby Reindeer was a transformative one. The Netflix series, created by and starring Richard Gadd, is based on his real-life experience with an obsessive stalker. Gunning’s chilling portrayal of Martha captivated audiences, earning her widespread critical acclaim.

Her performance has already secured her an Emmy win in September 2024 and a Golden Globe victory in January 2025. The SAG Award marks another significant milestone, solidifying her status as a powerhouse performer in the industry.

“I will never, ever forget being part of Baby Reindeer or playing the part of Martha. It means so much to me,” she said in her speech.

Tough Competition: Celebrating Fellow Nominees

Gunning’s category was stacked with talent, featuring performances from some of Hollywood’s most revered actors.

Kathy Bates (The Great Lillian Hall) – The 76-year-old actress earned her nomination for her role as Edith Wilson in The Great Lillian Hall, a film centered on a Broadway star battling dementia. Bates, already a two-time SAG Award winner, has had a storied career spanning decades. She was also nominated this year for her performance in Matlock.

Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) – The 55-year-old actress was nominated for her role as investigative journalist Catherine Ravenscroft in the Apple TV+ thriller Disclaimer. Blanchett starred alongside Sacha Baron Cohen and Kevin Kline, with the latter also earning a SAG nomination.

Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country) – The Silence of the Lambs icon was recognized for her portrayal of Liz Danvers, a police chief investigating a mysterious case in Alaska. The HBO series became the most-watched season in the True Detective franchise, and Foster’s performance was widely praised.

Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge) – Fresh off making history as the first Indigenous American to win a SAG Award in 2024 for Killers of the Flower Moon, Gladstone was nominated for her role as Cam Bentland in Hulu’s Under the Bridge, a series based on the true crime story of 14-year-old Reena Virk.

Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) – The 39-year-old actress received a nomination for her role as Sofia Falcone in HBO’s The Penguin. Milioti, who previously won a Golden Globe for the role, spoke about her immediate connection to the character and her excitement over the show’s success.

A Career on the Rise

Gunning’s triumph at the SAG Awards cements her as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Her dedication, talent, and ability to bring complex characters to life have earned her the industry’s highest honors.

As she stood on stage holding her award, she couldn’t help but acknowledge how surreal the moment felt.

“I had these incredible women on my vision board, and now I’m standing here with them. It’s unbelievable.”

Jessica Gunning’s journey—from an aspiring actress with a dream to an award-winning performer—serves as an inspiring reminder that hard work and passion can turn aspirations into reality. And with her recent success, it’s clear she’s just getting started.

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