In the critically-acclaimed Netflix mini-series ‘Baby Reindeer‘, actress Nava Mau portrayed Teri, a transgender woman who becomes romantically involved with the show’s main character Donny, played by creator Richard Gadd. Their tumultuous relationship ultimately ends in a breakup, leaving some viewers unsatisfied with Teri’s open-ended arc. However, Mau has now revealed that a deleted scene was originally shot to provide her character with a sense of closure and resolution.
In an interview with GQ, the actress disclosed that a voicemail sequence meant to take place five months after the events depicted in the show was filmed but later cut. “There actually was one more piece of Teri and Donny’s relationship in the script, and I performed it,” Mau explained. “Teri leaves Donny a voicemail five months later. So I think, for me, I got closure because Teri did too. That’s what gave me so much comfort, knowing that they found peace with regards to their relationship.”
The unaired scene would have shown Teri moving on with her life, having found a new romantic partner while maintaining her friendships, job, and overall happiness – a “happy ending” that Mau believes is remarkable for a transgender character. “Teri got her happy ending, you know? Teri found a new man, she didn’t lose her friends, she didn’t lose her job, she didn’t lose her smile. She’s good,” the actress stated. “And I think that is remarkable, because so often we’ve seen stories of trans people that end with them broken.”
While fans only got a brief glimpse of Teri’s new relationship in the version aired, Mau seems content that the deleted voicemail gave appropriate resolution to her character’s journey. “I really had to figure out what it is that keeps me from being so self-assured, and why do swallow my anger? And where does it go? She inspired me,” Mau reflected on how portraying Teri impacted her personally.
‘Baby Reindeer’ was based on Gadd’s real experiences dealing with a stalker and sexual abuse, with the show consulting transgender advisors to ensure appropriate representation. Despite the deleted scenes, Teri’s storyline still resonated as a nuanced depiction of a transgender woman’s life.
