Nava Mau becomes first out trans performer to ever be nominated for a TV BAFTA
Nava Mau becomes first out trans actor to ever be nominated for a TV BAFTA (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
Nava Mau becomes first out trans actor to ever be nominated for a TV BAFTA (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
The TV BAFTA nominees list has been revealed, and Nava Mau has become the first out trans actor to ever be nominated for a TV BAFTA for her role in Netflix drama Baby Reindeer.
After winning six Emmy awards last year, Baby Reindeer is dominating the BAFTA TV awards with eight nominations – including nods for leading actor Richard Gadd and supporting actress for both Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau.
With her nomination, 32-year-old Nava Mau became the first out trans actor to be nominated for a TV BAFTA, after making history for the same reason with her nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2024 in the limited series or TV movie acting category.
Speaking about her history-making Emmy nomination last year, Nava Mau, who is set to star in the next series of Netflix thriller You, explained: “Unfortunately, the opportunities afforded to trans people and Latinas and all under-represented people have been extremely limited.”
“That has gotten in the way of us being able to grow in our craft and explore all we can be. So, it has been an honour from the very beginning, when I first read the script, to even consider that I could be a part of a story like this,” she added.
Mau explained that she is hopeful “that I by no means will be the only [trans actress] moving forward”.
“What Baby Reindeer and this moment has shown is that when we’re given the opportunity, we can grow into it and so far beyond it.”
Other BAFTA TV nominees
Baby Reindeer and Mr Bates vs The Post Office are the top contenders in this year’s BAFTA TV awards, with Say Nothing, a drama set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and thriller Slow Horses also receiving multiple nominations.
In terms of LGBTQ+ nominees – besides the three actors nominated for Baby Reindeer – Lola Petticrew is nominated in the leading actress category for their role in Say Nothing, and Sharon D Clarke is nominated in the same category for her role in queer Caribbean drama Mr Loverman.
McKinley Belcher III is nominated for best supporting actor in the Netflix mini-series Eric, while Bilal Hasna has a nod for superhero comedy television series Extraordinary.
Hit LGBTQ+ comedies We Are Lady Parts and Smoggie Queens have also received nominations.
The BAFTA TV Awards will take place on 11 May at Royal Festival Hall in London.
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