Nava Mau becomes first out trans performer to ever be nominated for a TV BAFTA

The list of nominees for the TV BAFTA awards has been announced, with Nava Mau making history as the first openly trans actor to receive a nomination for a TV BAFTA, recognised for her role in the Netflix drama ‘Baby Reindeer,’ according to ‘MSN’.

After winning six Emmy awards last year, ‘Baby Reindeer’ is a leading contender at the BAFTA TV awards, securing eight nominations. These include nods for leading actor Richard Gadd and for supporting actress roles for Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau. With this nomination, 32-year-old Nava Mau became the first openly trans actor to be nominated for a TV BAFTA. She previously made history with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2024 in the limited series or TV movie acting category.

Reflecting on her groundbreaking Emmy nomination last year, Nava Mau, who will be in the upcoming series of the Netflix thriller ‘You,’ remarked, “Unfortunately, the opportunities afforded to trans people and Latinas and all under-represented people have been extremely limited.” She added, “This has hindered our ability to grow in our craft and explore all that we can be. So, it has been an honor from the very beginning, when I first read the script, to even consider that I could be a part of a story like this.”

Mau expressed hope “that I by no means will be the only [trans actress] moving forward.”

“What 'Baby Reindeer' and this moment have shown is that when we’re given the opportunity, we can grow into it and so far beyond it.”

‘Baby Reindeer’ and ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ are leading the pack in this year’s BAFTA TV awards, with ‘Say Nothing,’ a drama set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and the thriller ‘Slow Horses’ also receiving multiple nominations.

Among the LGBTQ+ nominees, aside from the three actors from ‘Baby Reindeer,’ Lola Petticrew is nominated for leading actress for their role in ‘Say Nothing,’ and Sharon D Clarke is nominated in the same category for her role in the queer Caribbean drama ‘Mr Loverman.’

McKinley Belcher III is up for best supporting actor in the Netflix mini-series ‘Eric,’ while Bilal Hasna is recognised for the superhero comedy series ‘Extraordinary.’

Popular LGBTQ+ comedies ‘We Are Lady Parts’ and ‘Smoggie Queens’ have also secured nominations.

The BAFTA TV Awards are set to take place on May 11 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.