Jessica Gunning, who captivated audiences worldwide with her poignant and chilling performance as Martha in Netflix's breakout hit Baby Reindeer, is making her anticipated return to the platform. She has signed on as one of the four leads in Feral, a darkly comedic thriller series.

Based on Shirley Conran's 1987 novel, Feral plunges four vastly different women into a fight for survival on a perilous tropical island. Their predicament arises after their mining executive husbands are kidnapped, forcing them to confront their differences, self-doubts, and vanities to stay alive. Gunning will portray Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has put her own ambitions aside to raise four sons under the shadow of her domineering husband, Duncan.

The series is created by Jude Mack, with Emma Freeman, known for her work on Interview with the Vampire and Stateless, directing. Oscar nominee Liza Marshall (Hamnet, Mary & George) is set to produce alongside Laurie Borg (Foundation, Industry).

Gunning's performance in Baby Reindeer, which debuted in April 2024 and quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation, garnered her widespread critical acclaim and a slew of top honors, including an Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA TV Award, Critics’ Choice Award, and Independent Spirit Award. Her portrayal of Martha, a vulnerable yet deeply troubled woman fixated on Richard Gadd's struggling comedian Donny Dunn, was hailed as one of the most memorable buzz titles in recent memory.

Following her success, Gunning has been busy with a number of film projects, including Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, Sunny Dancer opposite Bella Ramsey, and The Magic Faraway Tree. Her upcoming schedule also includes Marc Forster's film Anxious People and the Apple TV series Berlin Noir.

Creator Jude Mack, also an accomplished actor, has appeared in Ted Lasso Season 4, Apple’s Prime Target, Mickey 17, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and the Netflix action-comedy Back in Action. Behind the camera, Mack previously co-created and starred in Amicable, an Avalon comedy pilot for BBC Three.