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Nava Mau Joins Netflix’s ‘You’ Season 5 as Detective Marquez
Nava Mau is having a moment. In fact, she’s been building up to this moment for quite some time. After stealing scenes as Teri in ‘Baby Reindeer’, a role that earned her a groundbreaking Emmy nomination, Nava is now stepping into another high-profile project: the final season of Netflix’s ‘You.’ And if you thought her days of telling powerful stories were over, think again. She’s just getting started.
In the upcoming fifth and final season of “You,” Nava joins the cast as Detective Marquez, a character who just might be the one to finally catch up with Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley. Joe’s been leaving a bloody trail across countries and seasons, and now that he’s back in New York, things could get messy, especially with a new detective in town. Could Marquez be the one to hold him accountable? We’ll have to wait and see when the new season drops on April 24 on Netflix.
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But before we dive into what to expect from her new role, let’s talk about who Nava Mau is and why her presence on screen is so important.
From Mexico City to the Spotlight: Who Is Nava Mau?
Nava was born on May 14, 1992, in Mexico City, but spent much of her life in the U.S. She didn’t start in the entertainment business. Her early work involved supporting immigrant survivors of violence and advocating for trans rights. As a trans woman herself, Nava brought real-life experience to her activism and eventually to her storytelling.
Her path to acting wasn’t traditional. She stepped into the industry not just to perform, but to write, direct, and produce the kinds of stories she wasn’t seeing on screen. Her first short film, “Waking Hour,” explored the reality of dating while trans, and her follow-up, “Work,” went on to screen at Sundance in 2022.
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She also worked behind the scenes on the Netflix documentary “Disclosure,” which examined how trans people have been represented in Hollywood. Movies like “Ace Ventura” and “The Silence of the Lambs” had caused real harm, and Nava was part of the movement pushing for change.
Nava first gained major attention in HBO Max’s “Genera+ion,” where she played Ana, a trans Latina who steps up to take care of her niece after her sister is deported. The show addressed identity, community, and the complexities of being queer and Latinx in America.
But it was “Baby Reindeer” that put her name on everyone’s radar. In the TV show based on the true story of Richard Gadd, Nava played Teri, a woman who becomes romantically involved with Donny (Gadd) while he’s being stalked and harassed by a woman named Martha. The role was tender, raw, and honest. Teri wasn’t just a love interest, she was a source of strength, understanding, and deep humanity
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“I’m so lucky that Teri belonged to me for a moment,” Nava shared on her social media. “Now her story belongs to everyone, and it’s beautiful to see what people are doing with it.”
Her performance connected with viewers around the world, and she made Emmy history as the first transgender woman nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
And that brings us to ‘You’. The psychological thriller has amassed numbers for years, drawing them into the mind of Joe Goldberg, a charming yet dangerous stalker who always seems to find new ways to dodge justice.
At the end of Season 4, Joe faked his death and assumed a new identity in London. But in Season 5, he’s back in New York, the place where it all began. This final chapter is expected to wrap up loose ends and bring back some familiar faces.
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Enter Detective Marquez, played by Nava. There’s not much info on her character yet, but we do know she’s a guest star in this final season, and she might be the one to dig into Joe’s past. With You, things are never straightforward, but Nava joining the cast means we’re getting a character who’s smart, observant, and probably more complex than your average cop.
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Nava’s addition to You isn’t just another casting update but a part of a bigger shift in Hollywood. Trans actors are finally being offered roles that transcend stereotypes. And Nava is at the forefront of that change, not just with her performances but with her discussions about the industry.
In an interview with Flaunt, she said: “Ten years ago, I would have never imagined being a professional actor. It just wasn’t on the table. But then everything changed, including me. Laverne Cox came onto the scene with ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ and more trans artists started creating new realities on and off the screen. There’s no doubt we’ll keep seeing big changes and more opportunities for trans artists.”
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She shared a similar sentiment in El País, stating: “It’s powerful to watch a trans character like Teri go through experiences like these, as it clearly shows she’s a human being just like everyone else. I hope it encourages people to recognize that trans individuals belong—in our communities, our families, and our countries.”
With Season 5 of You just around the corner, a lineup of critically acclaimed performances in her back pocket, and an industry finally starting to listen, Nava Mau is carving out her path on her own terms. She’s not just changing the way we see trans characters on our screens. She’s reminding us that every role is an opportunity to tell a deeper story. One that matters. One that lasts.
And with Detective Marquez stepping into the scene? Joe Goldberg better watch his back.
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