Mae Martin

Early Life and Career Beginnings in Toronto

Mae Martin was born in Toronto to Canadian writer and teacher Wendy Martin and English actor and musician turned food writer James Chatto. Their early childhood included several years living in a village on the Greek island of Corfu, where they were also baptized. Martin has described their parents as ex hippies and comedy fans, which filled their family home with recordings of British and American comedy classics. From a young age, Martin developed obsessions with performers like Bette Midler, The Kids in the Hall, and Pee wee Herman, which they later viewed as early signs of an addictive personality.

Their passion for comedy was ignited at age 11 after being taken to a comedy club, leading them and two friends to see the Second City play Family Circus Maximus an extraordinary 160 times in one year. Martin began performing professionally at just 13 years old as part of the comedy troupe The Young and the Useless. By 14, they had started drinking and using illicit drugs, and at 15 they dropped out of their all girls school in Toronto to pursue comedy full time while working at the Second City comedy club. At age 16, struggling with drug addiction, Martin was asked to leave their family home and subsequently stayed with comedian friends throughout their 20s and 30s.

Stand-up Comedy and Move to the United Kingdom

Martin's early career in Canada was marked by rapid recognition, including becoming the youngest ever nominee for the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award at age 16. Their Canadian work also included writing for the sketch comedy series Baroness von Sketch Show, for which they won two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series. In 2011, seeking new challenges, Martin moved to London to enter the British comedy scene. Their 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, Mae Martin: Us, was a critical success that led to the BBC Radio 4 series Mae Martin's Guide to 21st Century Sexuality.

They further established themselves in the UK through appearances on programmes like The Now Show and as a co host of GrownUpLand. In 2017, Martin debuted Dope, a deeply personal show about addiction, at the Edinburgh Fringe, where it was shortlisted for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The show's title cleverly references both recreational drugs and dopamine, the brain chemical linked to compulsive behaviour, and drew on the work of experts like Gabor Maté. This show was adapted into a half hour Netflix comedy special released in January 2019 as part of the Comedians of the World collection.

Breakthrough with Feel Good and Television Success

Martin's major breakthrough came in 2020 with the Channel 4 and Netflix series Feel Good, which they co created, wrote, and starred in alongside longtime collaborator Joe Hampson. The semi autobiographical show, which released its second season in 2021, tackles relationships, queerness, addiction, and privilege with a blend of humour and pathos. Critics praised the series, with Lucy Mangan of The Guardian calling it immaculately written and properly funny. Martin's performance earned them a nomination for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. In 2022, they expanded their television work with appearances in LOL: Last One Laughing Canada and a recurring role as Grace St. James in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.

Their television success continued in 2023 when they won series 15 of the Channel 4 comedy game show Taskmaster. That same year, they starred in the comedy documentary television series I Have Nothing, for which they won Best Guest Performance in a Comedy Series at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. In 2024, they hosted an episode of CBC's The Nature of Things called "Fluid: Life Beyond the Binary". In this one-hour documentary, Martin explores the science behind sexual and gender fluidity, speaking with gender non-conforming youth and experts.

Music and the Netflix Series Wayward

In 2023, Martin released the Netflix comedy special SAP, which later received a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year in 2024. They significantly expanded their artistic repertoire in February 2025 with the release of their debut studio album, I'm a TV, through Universal Music Canada. The album's sound was described as indie rock, with Martin performing lead vocals and playing piano, guitar, harmonica, and bass on self written songs produced by Jason Couse and Wes Marskell of the Darcys. Martin cited many Canadian indie bands as key musical influences, several of which were featured on the soundtrack for their subsequent television project.

That project was the Netflix series Wayward, which began production in 2024 and aired in September 2025. Martin created the series, serving as writer and producer, and starred as Alex, a small town cop who helps two teens investigate the secrets of their town and the boarding school they are forced to attend. The series represented a major step in Martin's career as a showrunner and leading actor in a dramatic comedy setting. In January 2026, it was announced that Martin would host the 2026 Juno Awards ceremony in Hamilton, Ontario, a high profile honour in the Canadian music industry.

Podcasting and Live Performance

Martin has been an active voice in podcasting, co hosting the GLAAD Media Award winning Handsome Podcast alongside comedians Fortune Feimster and Tig Notaro, which debuted in August 2023. The podcast offers candid conversations and humour, further building Martin's connection with audiences. In early 2026, Martin announced a 37 city stand up comedy tour across the United States and Canada, demonstrating their enduring commitment to live performance. This tour follows their successful 2025 live show, The Possum, for which tickets were available through their official website. These live endeavours complement their television and music work, allowing them to engage directly with fans across different platforms and media.

Personal Life and Public Identity

Martin has one older brother, and their family includes notable artistic figures such as their grandfather, actor Tom Chatto, and their paternal uncle, artist and actor Daniel Chatto, who is married to Lady Sarah Chatto, a cousin of King Charles III. In 2021, Martin publicly came out as non binary and began using they/them pronouns, also undergoing top surgery. They have identified as a queer person and bisexual, having dated both men and women after previously resisting labels for their sexuality. In late 2023, Martin was in a relationship with reality television personality Parvati Shallow, though by January 2025 Shallow described the relationship as in an in flux situation. In a 2024 interview, Martin discussed their ADHD diagnosis and their personal experiences with the disorder, adding another layer to their public discussions on mental health and identity.

Questions about Mae Martin

What is Mae Martin best known for?

Mae Martin is best known for co-creating, co-writing, and starring in the Channel 4 and Netflix comedy series Feel Good. They received a nomination for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for their work on the series. They are also known for their stand-up comedy, including the show Dope, which was shortlisted for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Furthermore, they are recognized for winning series 15 of the Channel 4 comedy game show Taskmaster in 2023.

What awards has Mae Martin won?

Mae Martin is a two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series for their work on Baroness von Sketch Show. They won series 15 of the Channel 4 comedy game show Taskmaster in 2023. They won Best Guest Performance in a Comedy Series at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards for I Have Nothing. Their Netflix comedy special SAP received a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024.

What is Mae Martin's Netflix series Wayward about?

Wayward is a Netflix series that began production in 2024 and aired in September 2025. Martin created the series, wrote and produced it, and stars as Alex, a small town cop. The story follows Alex as they help two teenagers investigate the secrets of their town and the mysterious boarding school the teens are forced to attend. The series blends elements of drama, mystery, and comedy.

Has Mae Martin released any music?

Yes, Mae Martin released their debut studio album, I'm a TV, on 27 February 2025 through Universal Music Canada. The album is described as indie rock, featuring songs entirely self written by Martin. They performed lead vocals and played several instruments, including piano, guitar, harmonica, and bass. Production was handled by Jason Couse and Wes Marskell of the Canadian band the Darcys.

What is Mae Martin's role in the 2026 Juno Awards?

In January 2026, it was announced that Mae Martin will host the 2026 Juno Awards ceremony. The event will be held in Hamilton, Ontario. Martin expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity, hoping their love for the event would shine through in their hosting duties. This marks a significant role for Martin in celebrating Canadian music on a national stage.

How does Mae Martin identify in terms of gender and sexuality?

In 2021, Mae Martin came out as non binary and began using they/them pronouns publicly. They also had top surgery that year. Martin identifies as a queer person and has stated they are bisexual, having dated both men and women. They have spoken about previously resisting labels for their sexuality before embracing the term bisexual.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.