Mya-Lecia Naylor

Mya-Lecia Naylor
Naylor in 2018
Born
Mya Imani-lien Naylor

(2002-11-06)6 November 2002
Warwickshire, England
Died7 April 2019(2019-04-07) (aged 16)
Thornton Heath, London, England
Resting placeOur Lady of The Annunciation Catholic Church
Education
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, model
Years active2004–2019
Television

Mya Imani-lien Naylor (6 November 2002 – 7 April 2019), known professionally as Mya-Lecia Naylor, was an English actress, singer and model. With a career that spanned 15 years, she was best known for her roles as Tati in the CITV family series Tati's Hotel (2011), Fran in the CBBC children's sitcom series Millie Inbetween (2014–2018) and Mya in the CBBC musical dramedy Almost Never (2019).

Early life

Mya Imani-lien Naylor was born in Warwickshire on 6 November 2002, as the eldest child of Martin Naylor and his wife, Zena (née Beggs). She resided in South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon with her parents and three younger siblings.[1][2][3][4]

Naylor was educated at Royal Russell School and Coloma Convent Girls' School.[5][2]

Career

Naylor made her television debut as an actress, at the age of two, in the Christmas special in the fifth series of the BBC One sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. The episode, "White Box", was broadcast on Christmas Day 2004.[6][7][8]

Naylor portrayed Little Red Riding Hood in an episode of Cartoonito Tales in 2011.[9]

Naylor portrayed Tati in the CITV family series Tati's Hotel from May until late-2011. The series followed Tati, an eight-year-old who runs a magical hotel – which gives a very special view of the world.[10][11]

Naylor portrayed Bethany in the last two episodes of the three-part ITV psychological thriller series The Last Weekend in 2012.[12][13]

Naylor made her film debut with the role of Miro in the epic science fiction film Cloud Atlas, written and directed by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer. The film is based on the 2004 novel by David Mitchell and has multiple plots occurring during six eras and featuring an ensemble cast who perform multiple roles across these time periods. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2012.[14][15]

Naylor portrayed Miriam in the 2013 film Code Red.[16] She portrayed Moore's daughter in the 2014 film Index Zero.[17]

Naylor portrayed Fran in the CBBC children's sitcom series Millie Inbetween from October 2014 to December 2018.[18][19]

Naylor voiced Samantha in the BBC Radio 4 radio drama Drama on 4, in the episode "Mr Reasonable", broadcast in April 2015.[20][21]

Naylor appeared on the 18th episode in the third series of the CBBC quiz show Top Class, which was broadcast in December 2017.[22]

Naylor appeared on an episode of the CBBC live Saturday morning children's magazine entertainment programme Saturday Mash-Up!, with Zara Larsson. The episode was broadcast in January 2019.

Naylor portrayed Mya in the first series of the CBBC musical dramedy series Almost Never from January 2019[23][24] until her death.[18][19]

Naylor was a member of the band Angels N' Bandits.[25]

Death

On 7 April 2019, Naylor was found hanging in a marquee at her home in Thornton Heath, South London by her mother, Zena, and was in cardiac arrest when emergency services were called to the address at 10:00 am. She was pronounced dead an hour and a half later at Croydon University Hospital.[26][25][4] Naylor's father stated that his daughter "had not been her normal self" due to stress from her upcoming GCSEs and being grounded; he also added his belief that "she was just making some sort of point" and "did not mean to do it", calling it "a silly spur of the moment thing."[27] Croydon Coroner's Court investigated the cause of her death and in September 2019, assistant coroner Toby Watkin believed Naylor did not intend to end her life and ruled that her death was death by misadventure.[28][4] On 19 May 2019, a memorial service for Naylor was held at Our Lady of The Annunciation Catholic Church in Croydon.[29]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Absolutely Fabulous Jane Episode: "White Box"
2011 Cartoonito Tales Little Red Riding Hood Episode: "Little Red Riding Hood"
2011 Tati's Hotel Tati 26 episodes
2012 The Last Weekend Bethany 2 episodes
2012 Cloud Atlas Miro
2013 Code Red Miriam
2014 Index Zero Moore's daughter
2014–2018 Millie Inbetween Fran 50 episodes
2019 Saturday Mash-Up! Herself Episode: "Zara Larsson"
2019 Almost Never Mya 11 episodes

Source(s): [30][31][32]

References

  1. ^ Rodger, James (17 April 2019). "How did Mya-Lecia Naylor die? CBBC issue statement after star's death aged 16". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Mya-Lecia Naylor, actress who became a star on 'Millie Inbetween' and worked with Tom Hanks on 'Cloud Atlas' – obituary". The Telegraph. 18 April 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  3. ^ Rodger, James (18 April 2019). "Mya-Lecia Naylor's heartbroken dad tells neighbours 'we've lost our baby' after CBBC star's death". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Mya-Lecia Naylor died by misadventure says coroner". BBC News. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Royal Russell Newsletter 1 July 2015" (PDF). Royal Russell School. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Episode 5, Season Special : White Box - Absolutely Fabulous". digiguide.tv. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  7. ^ Kelly, Emma (18 April 2019). "CBBC's Mya-Lecia Naylor landed first role in Absolutely Fabulous at two years old". Metro. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Child star Mya-Lecia Naylor, who played Saffy's daughter in Ab Fab, died aged 16 after hanging herself". Glamour UK. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  9. ^ Dick, Jeremy (19 April 2019). "Mya-Lecia Naylor, 16-Year-Old Cloud Atlas Star, Dies Suddenly After Collapsing". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor". TresA. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  11. ^ Carr, Flora (18 April 2019). "CBBC actress Mya-Lecia Naylor dies aged 16". Radio Times. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  12. ^ "The Last Weekend Series 1-Episode 2". Radio Times. 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  13. ^ "The Last Weekend Series 1-Episode 3". Radio Times. 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  14. ^ Weaver, Annie (9 September 2019). "Cloud Atlas child actor died by misadventure, coroner rules". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  15. ^ Adejobi, Alicia (9 September 2019). "Remembering Mya-Lecia Naylor's stellar career from working with Tom Hanks to CBBC fame". Metro. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  16. ^ Kilkenny, Katie (17 April 2019). "Mya-Lecia Naylor, 'Millie Inbetween' Star, Dies at 16". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  17. ^ Gawley, Paige (18 April 2019). "Mya-Lecia Naylor, 'Cloud Atlas' Actress, Dies at 16". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Mya-Lecia Naylor". CBBC. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Tributes paid to CBBC star Mya-Lecia Naylor". CBBC Newsround. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Drama on 4". BBC. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  21. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Mr Reasonable". BBC. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Top Class". BBC. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  23. ^ Harp, Justin (6 December 2018). "I'm a Celeb's Emily Atack and Fleur East are ALREADY teaming up again for a new TV show". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Tess Daly guest stars in new CBBC comedy drama Almost Never". BBC. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b Busby, Mattha (18 April 2019). "CBBC star Mya-Lecia Naylor dies suddenly aged 16". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor: CBBC star dies suddenly, aged 16". BBC News. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  27. ^ Kelly, Emma (9 September 2019). "CBBC star Mya-Lecia Naylor, 16, died by hanging, inquest rules". Metro. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  28. ^ Kelly, Emma (18 April 2019). "Mya-Lecia Naylor's father told neighbour 'we've lost our baby' after teen actress 'collapsed'". Metro. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Memorial service". Instagram. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor". IMDb. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  32. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor". TV Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2024.