‘Gender is a construct’: Non-binary star Mae Martin reacts to Bafta nod for Best Female Performance in a Comedy

Mae Martin has reacted to their nomination for Best Female Performance in a Comedy at the Bafta TV Awards.

The star is in the running for semi-autobiographical Channel 4 series Feel Good, about a stand-up comedian in recovery from drug addiction (played by Martin) who forms a relationship with a previously straight woman (Charlotte Ritchie).

Martin, who created the series with Joe Hampson, will compete with Breeders star Daisy Haggard, This Country’s Daisy May Cooper, Sex Education’s Aimee Lou Wood and Emma Mackey and Famalam star Gbemisola Ikumelo for the prize.

The Canadian star, who is non-binary and uses they/them and she/her pronouns, wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much Bafta! This is very thrilling. Thanks to Joe Hampson and Objective-Fic and Charitchie and all the other angelic supportive people who helped make the show. (Ps gender’s a construct).”

The use of gendered categories in awards shows has been a topic of debate in recent years.

Non-binary singer Sam Smith previously said of the Brit Awards after the organisation decided not to scrap gendered categories: “The Brits have been an important part of my career, one of my earliest achievements was winning Critics Choice in 2014. Music for me has always been about unification, not division.

“I look forward to a time where award shows can be reflective of the society we live in. Let’s celebrate everybody regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.”

Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, The Crown and I May Destroy You were among the TV series to receive the most Bafta nominations this year.

Read the list of nominees in full, here.

Additional reporting by PA

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