Picture a small-town mystery unfolding on screen, where every shadow hides a secret and every character could be more than they seem. Netflix’s Wayward thrives on this eerie tension, drawing viewers into its unsettling world of twists and betrayals. At the heart of the suspense is a sharp and steady cop whose presence anchors the chaos. That cop is played by Mae Martin, a talent whose layered performance surprises those unfamiliar with their past work.

And if the name rings a bell, it is because Mae Martin has been seen before in acclaimed projects that highlight their versatile portfolio.

Mae Martin is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and showrunner who has steadily built a reputation for combining sharp humor with emotional honesty. Born in Toronto in 1987, they broke into comedy early, co-creating and starring in the Netflix dramedy Feel Good and doing stand-up specials like SAP. They use they/them pronouns, and their work often explores identity, addiction, and the complex beauty of youth.

Mae Martin’s screen presence extends beyond the two aforementioned offerings. They delivered a memorable cameo as Grace St. James in The Flight Attendant and featured in Netflix’s Comedians of the World. Martin has also made appearances on popular panel and game shows, including Taskmaster and LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, further showcasing their versatility. These varied roles underscore a career that seamlessly transitions between scripted drama, stand-up efforts, and unscripted entertainment. In Netflix’s Wayward, meanwhile, Martin lends authenticity to a trans character by portraying their real-life non-binary identity.

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Unlike Mae Martin, their Wayward character uses he/him pronouns, but the character’s struggle to navigate the expectations of normative masculinity mirrors the actor’s real-life challenges.

In Netflix’s Wayward, Mae Martin stars as Alex Dempsey, a trans man who moves with his pregnant wife to the seemingly quiet town of Tall Pines, Vermont, where he becomes a local cop. As he settles in, he uncovers dark secrets at Tall Pines Academy, a school for troubled teens, exposing hidden abuses and sinister crimes. The eight-episode miniseries, released on September 25, 2025, blends thriller and mystery, portraying Alex’s identity naturally as one part of a complex, gripping story.

Ultimately, Mae Martin’s turn in Wayward confirms why they are one of the most compelling talents of this generation. As Alex, Martin grounds the suspense in the series, adding layers of empathy and nuance to the plot. Their turn makes the eerie world of Tall Pines feel so tangible that it invites speculation about whether the series draws on real-life stories of troubled teen institutions. Beyond the mystery, Wayward highlights Martin’s fearless storytelling and ability to make every role resonate deeply with audiences.

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Were you familiar with Mae Martin before Wayward? Let us know in the comments below.