# Mya-Lecia Naylor

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.
Naylor was educated at Royal Russell School and Coloma Convent Girls' School.

## 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.
Naylor portrayed Little Red Riding Hood in an episode of Cartoonito Tales in 2011.
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.
Naylor portrayed Bethany in the last two episodes of the three-part ITV psychological thriller series The Last Weekend in 2012.
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.
Naylor portrayed Miriam in the 2013 film Code Red. She portrayed Moore's daughter in the 2014 film Index Zero.
Naylor portrayed Fran in the CBBC children's sitcom series Millie Inbetween from October 2014 to December 2018.
Naylor voiced Samantha in the BBC Radio 4 radio drama Drama on 4, in the episode "Mr Reasonable", broadcast in April 2015.
Naylor appeared on the 18th episode in the third series of the CBBC quiz show Top Class, which was broadcast in December 2017.
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 until her death.
Naylor was a member of the band Angels N' Bandits.

## 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. 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." 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. On 19 May 2019, a memorial service for Naylor was held at Our Lady of The Annunciation Catholic Church in Croydon.

## 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 |
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