Netflix's hit true crime series "Baby Reindeer" has introduced talented actors to a global audience, and Nava Mau is one of the most notable. Mau plays Teri, a confident trans woman and therapist. Her life is thrown into chaos when her boyfriend Donnie Dunn (played by series creator Richard Gadd) is targeted by a stalker named Martha (Jessica Gunning). Teri and Donnie form a sweet bond, but their romance is doomed from the start as Donnie tries to keep Teri a secret out of internalized transphobia and shame; their ill-fated relationship may not last long on the show, but it is not often seen on mainstream television, important and complex portrayal of queer dating.

Mau shined as Teri, embodying an honest self-affirmation and empathy for Martha and showing the strength to stand up for herself even when Stoker crossed the line at the end of the series.

In real life, the Mexican-born actress, director, and producer is equally fearless and an ardent supporter of the trans community. Meet the actress who brought baby reindeer Teri to life.

Originally from Mexico City, Mau made her debut as a filmmaker when she wrote, directed, and starred in the 2019 short film Waking Hour. Since then, she has appeared as an actor in the short films Femenina, Sam's Town, and Work. In addition to the latter two, the rising star also collaborated as a producer on the short film Lovebites. She also served as a production fellow on Disclosure, a Netflix documentary about LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood.

According to her official website, Mau has also worked as a speaker, advocate, and workshop facilitator in the areas of anti-violence, healing justice, and political education for over eight years. Previously, she worked with survivors of violence as a legal assistant and peer counselor. She is also the editor of the forthcoming anthology Paradise on the Margins: Worldmaking by Trans Women of Color.

In an interview with Elle in 2021, she discussed balancing her advocacy work with her film and television career.

"Right now, I'm focusing full-time on my creative work, but I feel that maybe I'm not able to fulfill my cultural and political work responsibilities in film and television, and I find myself running back there," the actress/activist said at the time. 'Thus, I think it's really important in the projects I lead to continue to bring in the framework that I believe in from my cultural work.' I also believe that cultural change is desperately needed in the film industry. That is my mission."

Mau is best known for starring in the short-lived Max series Genera+ion, which was released in 2021 but has unfortunately since been removed from streaming. In the coming-of-age series about teens discovering their sexuality, Mau played Ana, the beloved aunt of one of the show's main characters, Greta (Hayley Sanchez). Ana and Mau's performances became fan favorites as Ana takes in her niece after her mother is deported and becomes supportive as she comes to terms with her sexuality.

"I could tell from the pilot script that Ana and Greta's relationship was special," Mau said of the characters' bond in an interview with Flaunt. They really need each other, and I don't think either of them really knew that before they were thrown into this new dynamic."

She also shared what she said about the characters, "Ana learns about the power of responsibility. She does what she does best. What I didn't know is that I really needed Ana. She taught me what it means to give unabashedly and abundantly, even in the face of a critical world."

Mau revealed that she felt a special connection to the role of Baby Reindeer.

According to Digital Spy magazine, she said in the UK. When I read (the script), I could tell that (creator) Richard (Gadd) really loved her as the inspiration for this character. I also knew that it was based on real life, and it seemed really important to show people that trans women exist in real life and in real relationships with real people. I could feel Richard's heart in the script and I hope people can see that."

Mau also explained that the role was written by "someone who has actually known and loved trans women" and not "written from an imaginary place."

Asked how it felt to play a character modeled after a real person, she added, "I felt a great sense of responsibility and was very careful to tell the story in the best way possible."