Mae Martin Explained

Mae Martin
Birth Name:Mae Pearl Martin
Birth Date:2 May 1987
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alma Mater:The Second City
Partner:Parvati Shallow

Mae Pearl Martin[1] (born 2 May 1987) is a Canadian comedian, actor, and screenwriter. They co-created, co-wrote and starred in the Channel 4/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.

Early life

Mae Martin was born in Toronto on 2 May 1987,[2] [3] the child of Canadian writer and teacher Wendy Martin[4] and English actor and musician-turned-food-writer James Chatto.[5] [6] They were baptised in a village on the Greek island of Corfu, where their family lived for several years.[7]

James and Wendy were ex-hippies, and comedy fans.[6] The family home was filled with recordings of British and American comedy classics.

Martin describes childhood obsessions with Bette Midler,[8] The Kids in the Hall,[9] Pee-wee Herman and the Rocky Horror Show (their grandfather, Tom Chatto, having starred as narrator in the stage version). They now point to these obsessions as early signs of an addictive personality.[4] At 11 years old, Martin was taken to a comedy club and fell in love with stand-up.[8] Martin and two friends became known as "the Groupies" for going to see Family Circus Maximus a play from The Second City improv troupe160 times in a year.[4]

At age 14, Martin started drinking and using illicit drugs.[4] At age 15, Martin dropped out of school to work full-time at the Second City comedy club. At 16, their parents kicked them out of the house, and they stayed with comedian friends in their 20s and 30s. Abusive relationships were normalised in the night-time scene: Martin says that, "If you put a teenage girl in any industry like that, there's going to be people taking advantage." Martin eventually went to rehabilitation.[10]

Martin attended an all-girls school[11] in Toronto. Martin saw their first comedy show at age 11, began booking gigs as part of the comedy troupe The Young and the Useless at age 13, and dropped out of school to pursue comedy full time at 15.[6]

Career

Martin's career started in Canada at age 13, as part of the three-person comedy troupe The Young and the Useless.[12] They worked The Second City comedy club, both in the box office and as a stand-up comedian.

At the age of 16, Martin was the youngest-ever nominee for the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award.[13] Martin's work in Canada includes writing for the sketch comedy series Baroness von Sketch Show,[14] for which they are a two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series.[15]

In 2011, Martin moved to London to enter the British comedy scene.[16] Their 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, titled Mae Martin: Us,[17] led to the BBC Radio 4 series Mae Martin's Guide to 21st Century Sexuality.[18] Martin has appeared on the British television and radio programme The Now Show,[19] and has co-hosted GrownUpLand.[20]

In 2017 they debuted Dope, a show about addiction in all forms, at Edinburgh, which was shortlisted for the Edinburgh Comedy award.[21] The show refers to both recreational drugs as well as to dopamine, the brain chemical associated with compulsive behaviour, and drew on the work of Dr Gabor Maté, among other researchers.[22] Dope was modified into a half-hour Netflix comedy special, released in January 2019 as part of the Comedians of the World collection.[23]

In 2019, Martin released the YA book Can Everyone Please Calm Down? A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality.[24]

Martin co-created, wrote, and starred in the 2020 Channel 4 comedy series Feel Good alongside long-time collaborator Joe Hampson.[25] [26] The second season was released in 2021.[27] [28] The show tackles relationships, queerness, addiction, and privilege. Lucy Mangan of the Guardian praised the series as "immaculately written" and "properly funny" in her review.

In 2022, they appeared in LOL: Last One Laughing Canada.[29] Later that year, they appeared in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant in a recurring role as Grace St. James.

In 2023 Martin appeared as a contestant and won[30] series 15 of the Channel 4 comedy game show Taskmaster.

Martin received a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024 for SAP.[31]

In 2024, Martin hosted an episode of CBC's The Nature of Things (in association with Kensington Communications and Gay Agenda) called "Fluid: Life Beyond the Binary". In the one-hour documentary, Martin explores the science behind sexual and gender fluidity, speaking with gender non-conforming youth and other experts.[32] [33] [34]

Production began in 2024 on their television series Wayward for Netflix.[35] [36] [37]

Personal life

Martin has one older brother.

Their grandfather was actor Tom Chatto,[38] and their paternal uncle is artist and actor Daniel Chatto, who is married to King Charles III's cousin Lady Sarah Chatto.[39]

Martin uses they/them pronouns[40] and came out as non-binary in 2021.[41] In June 2021, Martin described themself as "a queer person".[11] Martin shared that they had top surgery in late 2021.

Martin has dated both men and womenstating in April 2021 that they are bisexual after previously resisting labelling their sexuality.[42] [43]

In December 2023, they announced their relationship on Instagram with Survivor winner Parvati Shallow.[44]

Filmography

Film! Year! Title! Role! Notes
2001BagatelleGraceShort film
Notes
2003Cream of ComedyN/ATV special; writer only
2012UpstagedMaeTelevision short
2014Sketch My LifeN/AWriter only
2016–2019Baroness von Sketch ShowEmployeeEpisode: "It Satisfies on a Very Basic Level"; also writer/story editor – 29 episodes
2017UncleImogen2 episodes
2018Jon Richardson: Ultimate WorrierThemself4 episodes; writer on episode: "Jon Richardson"
2019Comedians of the WorldThemselfEpisode: "Mae Martin"; also writer and producer
2020–2021Feel GoodMae12 episodes; also creator and writer – 6 episodes
2021Richard Osman's House of GamesThemself5 episodes
2022LOL: Last One LaughingThemselfCompetitor; Canadian version
The Flight AttendantGrace St. James7 episodes
Themself
2023TaskmasterThemselfSeason 15; series champion
2024ThemselfEpisode: "PALM TREES"

Comedy specials

Notes
2023Mae Martin: SAPNetflixNetflix Comedy Special

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Horne . Alex . 20 Questions with MAE MARTIN Series 15 Taskmaster . Taskmaster . 22 April 2023 . YouTube . 27 April 2023 . 1:00–1:20.
  2. Alexander . Ella . Meet Mae Martin: The comedian redefining the modern love story . Harper's Bazaar . 10 March 2020 . 9 April 2020 . 21 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021051912/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/entertainment/a31220710/mae-martin-feel-good-netflix-interview/ . live .
  3. News: Dessau . Bruce . Mae Martin: 'I like to do shows that open a dialogue' . 17 April 2021 . www.standard.co.uk . 8 August 2017 . en . 8 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608091120/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/mae-martin-i-like-to-do-shows-that-open-a-dialogue-a3606426.html . live .
  4. News: Feel Good's Mae Martin: 'If you put a teenage girl in any industry, people will take advantage' . 5 July 2021 . the Guardian . 5 July 2021 . en . 4 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404163250/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/05/feel-goods-mae-martin-if-you-put-a-teenage-girl-in-any-industry-people-will-take-advantage . live .
  5. Web site: Feel Good is coming . 14 March 2023.
  6. News: Smith . Dominic . Mae Martin . 5 July 2021 . The Argus . 26 April 2013 . en . 6 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406080741/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10380458.mae-martin/ . live .
  7. Book: Chatto . James . The Greek for love : a memoir of Corfu . 2005 . Random House Canada . [Toronto] . 9780679313137 . 314 .
  8. News: Wiseman . Eva . Mae Martin: 'It's enriching to share things you're ashamed of' . 5 July 2021 . The Observer . 15 March 2020 . en.
  9. News: Wilner . Norman . Canadian Mae Martin on her Netflix show, reworking bits of her life and her Kids in the Hall fandom . 5 July 2021 . NOW Magazine . 16 March 2020 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185838/https://nowtoronto.com/movies/mae-martin-netflix-feel-good . live .
  10. Web site: Edinburgh star Mae Martin: 'I had a breakup and noticed how similar it felt to getting off drugs' . Gilbey . Ryan . 15 August 2017 . The Guardian . en . 19 April 2018.
  11. News: Martin . Mae . 'I'm that candlestick!': Mae Martin on their unlikely cultural icons . 5 July 2021 . the Guardian . 5 June 2021 . en.
  12. News: . 22 April 2009 . CBC leads Comedy Award Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20161102144954/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/cbc-leads-comedy-award-nominations/article25686330/ . 2 November 2016 . 2 November 2016.
  13. Web site: Cream of Comedy 2003 nominees. Sumi. Glenn. 6 November 2003. NOW Toronto. 26 September 2022. 26 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926224056/https://nowtoronto.com/culture/comedy/cream-of-comedy-2003-nominees. live.
  14. Web site: 'Baroness von Sketch Show' Co-Creator Carolyn Taylor Finds the Funny in Life's Absurdities . . 15 August 2017 . Emily . Krauser . https://web.archive.org/web/20210423022625/https://www.etonline.com/features/223786_exclusive_baroness_von_sketch_show_carolyn_taylor_talks_comedy_gender_gap_canada . 2021-04-23 . live . en.
  15. http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/canadian-screen-awards-creative-fiction-1.4016191 "Canadian Screen Awards 2017: Baroness von Sketch Show, Orphan Black big winners"
  16. News: Canadian comic Mae Martin on mining their past for hit Netflix series 'Feel Good' . thestar.com . 22 June 2021 . en . 5 July 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183525/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2021/06/22/canadian-comic-mae-martin-on-mining-their-past-for-hit-netflix-series-feel-good.html . live .
  17. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20161102144952/http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/features/2016/05/16/mae-martin-comedian-interview-and-profile . Ella . Alexander . 17 May 2016 . Mae Martin's Guide to 21st Century Sexuality . 2 November 2016 . 2 November 2016 . live . Glamour.
  18. Mae Martin (presenter) . Mae Martin's Guide to 21st Century Sexuality . 12 October 2016 . 2 November 2016 . London . BBC Radio 4.
  19. The Now Show . 48 . 1 . 4 March 2016 . 19 March 2017 . London . . 8 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160408105348/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071x885 . live .
  20. Web site: GrownUpLand – GrownUpLand – BBC Radio 4 . BBC . en-GB . 19 April 2018.
  21. News: Logan . Brian . Mae Martin: Dope review – hair-raising comedy about romance and rehab . 5 July 2021 . the Guardian . 24 August 2017 . en . 4 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404163250/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/24/mae-martin-dope-review-edinburgh-festival . live .
  22. News: Wiseman . Eva . Mae Martin: 'It's enriching to share things you're ashamed of' . 7 July 2021 . The Observer . 15 March 2020 . en.
  23. Web site: Bennett . Steve . Comedians Of The World: Mae Martin – Dope : Reviews 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide . www.chortle.co.uk . 7 July 2021 . en . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191138/https://www.chortle.co.uk/review/2019/01/01/41996/comedians_of_the_world:_mae_martin_-_dope . live .
  24. Web site: 2022-06-06 . The formation of Mae Martin . 2022-11-19 . British GQ . en-GB . 19 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221119004930/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/mae-martin-interview-2022 . live .
  25. News: Salam . Maya . Mae Martin Embraces Ambiguity in 'Feel Good,' and in Life . 5 July 2021 . The New York Times . 24 May 2021 . 3 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603024932/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/24/arts/television/mae-martin-feel-good-netflix.html . live .
  26. Web site: BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards. 28 April 2021. BAFTA. 28 April 2021. 7 June 2021. https://archive.today/20210607092041/https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/tv-2021. live.
  27. Mae Martin created and stars in Feel Good, a semi-autobiographical exploration of love, addiction, and sexuality that you really won't want to miss. 18 February 2020. 1229790172650192896. netflix.
  28. Web site: Mangan . Lucy . Feel Good – Mae Martin's immaculate romcom will have you head over heels . The Guardian . 24 August 2020 . 18 March 2020.
  29. David Friend, "Tom Green, Andrew Phung vie to be ‘last one laughing’ on Canadian reality competition" . Toronto Star, January 12, 2022.
  30. Web site: Taskmaster finds its season 15 champion in bizarre finale . Sarrubba . Stefania . 1 June 2023 . . 8 June 2023 . Tonight's (June 1) final episode saw the coveted golden head going to Mae Martin, who earned the precious trophy by finishing off with 174 points total..
  31. https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/juno-awards-2024-nominations-charlotte-cardin-daniel-caesar-talk-1.7105439 "Here are all the 2024 Juno nominees"
  32. Web site: Mae Martin to host new documentary exploring gender and sexual fluidity in nature. PinkNews. Hansford. Amelia. 13 March 2024. 2 May 2024. 29 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240429230214/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/03/13/mae-martin-documentary-gender/. live.
  33. Web site: Mae Martin explores the science of gender and sexual fluidity in a new episode of The Nature of Things. CBC News. 27 March 2024. 2 May 2024. 13 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240513035408/https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/the-nature-of-things/mae-martin-explores-the-science-of-gender-and-sexual-fluidity-in-a-new-episode-of-the-nature-of-things-1.7150984. live.
  34. Web site: Fluid: Life Beyond the Binary (2024). Kensington TV. 2 May 2024. 29 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240429230214/https://kensingtontv.com/index.php/2023/08/25/fluid-2024/. live.
  35. Web site: Toni Collette Joins Mae Martin Netflix Series 'Wayward'. Variety. 5 June 2024. June 5, 2024. Joe . Otterson.
  36. Web site: Kawarthanow.com. New Netflix series 'Wayward' filming in downtown Millbrook on July 10. 6 July 2024. 9 July 2024. 9 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240709065322/https://kawarthanow.com/2024/07/06/new-netflix-series-wayward-filming-in-downtown-millbrook-on-july-10/. live.
  37. Web site: Netflix's 'Wayward' Begins Production in Toronto in June. The Cinemaholic. 9 July 2024. Harsh. Vardhan. June 12, 2024. 9 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240709072305/https://thecinemaholic.com/netflix-tall-pines-production/. live.
  38. Web site: Mae Martin . . 26 April 2013 . 12 July 2021 . 6 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406080741/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10380458.mae-martin/ . live .
  39. Web site: Mae Martin: I like to do shows that open a dialogue. Evening Standard. 28 August 2017. 14 April 2021. 8 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608091120/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/mae-martin-i-like-to-do-shows-that-open-a-dialogue-a3606426.html. live.
  40. Web site: Mae Martin (hooraymae) . Martin . Mae . Instagram . 5 May 2023 . 16 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916005136/https://www.instagram.com/hooraymae/ . live .
  41. Web site: 2020-04-06. Guilty Feminist Podcast, episode 196. YouTube. 7 April 2020.
  42. Web site: Milton. Josh. 2021-04-14. Feel Good comedian Mae Martin comes out as non-binary. 2021-04-14. PinkNews. en-GB. 14 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414213620/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/04/14/mae-martin-non-binary-feel-good-pronouns/. live.
  43. Web site: Logan. Brian. 2016-11-10. Mae Martin's candid bid to make sexuality 'one less thing kids worry about'. 2021-04-14. The Guardian. en. 21 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240821010115/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/nov/10/mae-martin-radio-show-on-gender-fin-tayler-rich-hall-sara-pascoe. live.
  44. Web site: Mae Martin is in a relationship with queer Survivor star Parvati Shallow. Baska. Maggie. PinkNews. December 31, 2023. December 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231231130837/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/12/31/mae-martin-relationship-queer-survivor-parvati-shallow/. December 31, 2023.

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