Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning gushes over controversial role of stalker Martha 'changing her life' in emotional speech as she wins Best Supporting Actress at the Critics Choice Awards

Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning gushed over her controversial role in Baby Reindeer 'changing her life' as she accepted Best Supporting Actress at the Critics Choice Awards in LA on Friday. The British actress, 38, who played Martha in the Netflix series, looked glamorous in a black gown as she took to the stage and made an emotional speech. Clasping her Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie trophy she paid tribute to the show's producers before thanking creator and star Richard Gadd, 35.

'[He] isn't here tonight, but he changed my life actually, choosing me to play Martha, so I want to say thank you to him for everyone'. While Richard lost Best Actor to The Penguin's Colin Farrell, 48, the smash hit show did walk away with the gong for Best Limited Series. Jessica accepted the award on Richard's behalf saying: 'Richard can't be here. He has written something he would like me to read. I'm honor and delighted. I'm sorry I can't be there. I'm shooting my bbc HBO show set early next year'.

Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning gushed over her controversial role in Baby Reindeer 'changing her life' as she accepted Best Supporting Actress at the Critics Choice Awards in LA on Friday. The British actress, 38, who played Martha in the Netflix series (pictured in the show) looked glamorous in a black gown as she took to the stage and made an emotional speech. 'Less about my HBO show set early next year and more about how grateful I am to everyone at the critics choice for naming Baby reindeer  their favourite. Critics have always been my favourite people. Remember that when it comes to my BBC HBO show that is set to air early next year'.

'Thank you to Netflix and Lindsey and Toby. Thanks for the amazing production partners, Matt, Ed, Petra, Veronica and Josephine and our amazing crew. Jessica, Nava [Mau] and the cast who did so much to bring the show'. The dark comedy thriller has came under fire from those who claimed to have been depicted by the series. Fiona Harvey came forward claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha, alleging the story was inaccurate, and filed a lawsuit against Netflix.

The ceremony got off to a strong start when Conclave earned the first award of the evening for Best Ensemble. The film's star, Ralph Fiennes, accepted the award for the film, which depicts the secretive and suspenseful selection of a new pope. 'We all enjoyed being in our red skirts together,' Fiennes joked while representing his costars, including Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow. The win has helped cement the late-breaking Oscars momentum for Fiennes and Conclave.

Clasping her Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie trophy she paid tribute to the show's producers before thanking creator and star Richard Gadd, 35. While Richard lost Best Actor to The Penguin's Colin Farrell , 48, the smash hit show did walk away with the gong for Best Limited Series. Jessica accepted the award on Richard's behalf saying: 'Richard can't be here. He has written something he would like me to read'.

The dark comedy thriller has came under fire from those who claimed to have been depicted by the series (Richard picitured with co-stars Jessica (L) and Nava Mau (R) at the Golden Globes. The dark comedy thriller has came under fire from those who claimed to have been depicted by the series with Fiona Harvey (pictured)  claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha. The Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Chelsea Handler, are finally taking place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, after twice being delayed due to the devastating LA fires.

The show was first slated to take place on Sunday, January 12, before being pushed to Sunday, January 26. But due to the venue's close proximity to the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, ceremony officials decided to push the show to February. Following Conclave's win, the ceremony switched to television. Hannah Einbinder and Michael Urie were the dual winners in the best supporting actor and actress in a comedy categories, for Hacks and Shrinking, respectively.

The two gave a hilarious acceptance speech in which they began delivering their speeches at the same time, speaking over each other. They were followed by the winners in the supporting categories for limited series or movie made for television. Liev Schreiber won in the men's category for The Perfect Couple, while  Shōgun scored two back-to-back wins with supporting actor and supporting actress in a drama series for Tadanobu Asano and Moeka Hoshi.

Jessica took to the stage alongside Liev Schreiber who won Best Supporting actor for his role in The Perfect Couple. Conclave earned the first award of the evening for Best Ensemble, with its lead Ralph Fiennes accepting. The early win cements the Oscars momentum for Conclave and Fiennes; pictured in a still from the film. Hoshi was tearful as she accepted her award after traveling to the US from Japan, though Asano wasn't able to be at the ceremony.