Mae Martin, a Canadian comedian known for their insightful and autobiographical comedic work, is venturing into new territory with their Netflix limited series, “Wayward.” Departing from their previous works like the semi-autobiographical “Feel Good,” this series infuses elements of horror and thriller into its comedic roots. Despite the shift in genre, Martin, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, assures fans that the thematic elements remain consistent with their previous work, focusing on introspective storytelling around adolescence and identity.
“Wayward” follows Alex Dempsey, played by Martin, a transgender police officer who relocates to the seemingly idyllic town of Tall Pines with his pregnant wife, Laura. As Alex delves into the town’s unusual happenings, he uncovers connections to Evelyn Wade, an enigmatic academy leader for troubled teens, tied personally to his wife. The series unravels themes of personal identity, societal acceptance, and the moral quandaries faced by Alex, as well as the exploration of the often-misunderstood “troubled teen industry.”
Martin shared a personal connection to the series’ backdrop, sparked by their best friend’s experience in a controversial teen institution. This real-world inspiration steered the series’ narrative towards the darker elements reminiscent of classic horror and thriller films like “Fargo” and “Get Out.” Through “Wayward,” Martin aims to explore the societal practices that pathologize young people while scrutinizing the intergenerational conflicts and societal hypocrisies many adolescents endure.
The series, set in 2003, subtly navigates themes of gender identity, reflecting on societal attitudes and personal acceptance, particularly for marginalized groups like the transgender community. As a mainstream project led by an LGBTQ nonbinary creative, “Wayward” brings forward much-needed visibility. Martin expressed concern over the current political climate, where having LGBTQ characters can unavoidably label a work as a political statement, thus affecting its reach.
Nevertheless, Martin hopes to foster broader empathy for the LGBTQ community through nuanced storytelling. The series, while incorporating unique queer experiences, aims to be universally relatable, focusing on broader human experiences. In doing so, Martin advocates for diverse representation in media whereby LGBTQ identities are organically woven into narratives rather than highlighted as the central theme.
By embedding subversive elements into mainstream narratives, Martin remains committed to promoting diverse stories in Hollywood. With “Wayward,” they continue to flood creative platforms with scripts, hoping to champion inclusive storytelling amidst challenging societal tides.