Tantalising first look at Mae Martin’s new horror-thriller series Wayward starring Toni Collette
(L-R) Toni Collette, Sarah Gadon, and Mae Martin in Wayward (Netflix)
(L-R) Toni Collette, Sarah Gadon, and Mae Martin in Wayward (Netflix)
Mae Martin has described their latest series, Wayward, as “a lifelong passion project” while unveiling a first-look.
The Canadian comedian, who is non-binary, is well known for their stand up as well as their Netflix series Feel Good. Wayward seems like a far cry from those, however.
They return in a brand new mini-series about the fictional Tall Pines Academy and the troubled teens that are sent there. They lead as Alex Dempsey, a police officer who has recently moved to the Tall Pines area with his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon). There they encounter the mysterious Evelyn (Toni Collette), who runs the Academy and seems to hold a power over the town.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly while showing off some first look images from the series, Mae Martin shared that the series is based on stories recounted to them by a friend. “As a teenager, my best friend got sent to a troubled teen institute. We grew up in Canada, and she was sent to the States.
“I was so shocked by the stories that she had about it when she came back and started researching that industry, which, especially at the time, was so unregulated and opaque and questionable in its practices.”
As Alex gets to know the people of the town and the teens of the Academy, he begins to suspect Evelyn could be behind the town’s troubles. Speaking about her character, Collette told EW, “I found her intimidating to play at first, but pulling apart the facade of Evelyn gave me so much to dig into. She’s completely fascinating.”
'Wayward' exclusive first look reveals stand-up comic Mae Martin in their new genre-bending horror-thriller with Toni Collette: 'It's really like a lifelong passion project.' https://t.co/yvvqKbhUTZ
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) July 31, 2025
At the same time, Alex deals with issues around identity and fitting in. Mae Martin describes their character as someone “yearning for acceptance” and who is “seduced by this fantasy of a normative nuclear family.”
They go on to say, “I definitely have felt that in my life. We deal with the question, How much are you willing to lose and sacrifice of yourself and your authenticity in order to get that community?”
Martin promises viewers they will feel “deeply unnerved” at times by the horror elements included, but that the show isn’t ” oppressively dark or heavy or gloomy.” Martin expands, “Life is both terrifying and funny, especially with teenagers. If you put a teenager in a life-or-death situation, there’s a chance they’ll get the giggles, as well, especially if they’re with their best friends.”
Wayward is streaming on Netflix from 25 September.
