“Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau may be becoming a trans role model following the success of the Netflix drama and her Emmy nomination for her work on the show, but the actor isn’t ready to call herself an “activist.”

“I really shy away from that word because I think that people who are activists are often times involved with organizing and I deeply respect that work,” Mau told me Friday at the Television Academy’s Performer Nominee Celebration at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. “I tend to call myself an advocate.”

Mau’s nod for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie makes her the first transgender woman nominated in that category.

She becomes emotional when talking about hearing from trans youth who thank her for her visibility. “It makes me cry a little bit,” Mau said.

She recalls being honored at the Toronto International...