Lesley-Ann Brandt, born on December 2, 1981, is a talented South African and American actress, best known for her role as Mazikeen on the hit television series Lucifer. Her captivating performances and diverse heritage have made her a notable figure in the entertainment industry.
Lesley-Ann Brandt
| Born | 2 December 1981
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
|
|---|---|
| Citizenship | South Africa • United States |
| Alma mater | Meisner technique |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Known for | Spartacus, Lucifer |
| Spouse |
Chris Payne Gilbert (m. 2015)
|
| Children | 1 |
Early Life
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Lesley-Ann Brandt is of Cape Coloured descent, with Indian, German, Dutch, San, and Spanish heritage. She is fluent in Afrikaans and has a passion for yoga, hockey, and baseball. During her time in South Africa, she played competitive field hockey.
In 1999, Brandt immigrated to Auckland, New Zealand, with her parents and younger brother, Brian. Initially working in retail sales and as an IT recruitment consultant, she eventually ventured into modeling and acting. She appeared in numerous New Zealand television advertisements and trained in the Meisner acting technique in 2008.
Career
Brandt’s significant acting debut came with the New Zealand television series Diplomatic Immunity. She went on to guest star in the hospital soap opera Shortland Street and the sci-fi series This Is Not My Life. Her breakout role was Naevia in the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand and the prequel miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Despite production delays due to the death of Andy Whitfield, which led to her replacement by Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Brandt’s performance left a lasting impression.
She also starred in the New Zealand film The Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell and guest-starred in CSI: NY, Legend of the Seeker, and Memphis Beat. Her lead role in the Syfy feature Zombie Apocalypse and appearances in films like Drift and Duke further showcased her versatility.
In 2013, Brandt had a recurring role in Single Ladies and guest-starred in Gotham and The Librarians. In 2015, she landed the iconic role of Maze in Lucifer, solidifying her place in Hollywood. Brandt also appeared in Captain Fall and the upcoming The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
Personal Life
Lesley-Ann Brandt married actor Chris Payne Gilbert in 2015, and the couple welcomed their son, Kingston Payne Brandt-Gilbert, in July 2017. On July 13, 2023, she proudly announced her American citizenship, coinciding with the start of the SAG strike.
Filmography
Film
- 2010: The Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell as Sharon
- 2011: InSight as Valerie Khoury
- 2012: A Beautiful Soul as Angela Barry
- 2013: Drift as Lani
- 2015: Painkillers as Guts
- 2019: Duke as Violet
- 2019: Heartlock as Tara Sharpe
Television
- 2009: Diplomatic Immunity as Leilani Fa’auigaese (13 episodes)
- 2010: Spartacus: Blood and Sand as Naevia (11 episodes)
- 2010: Legend of the Seeker as Sister Thea (1 episode)
- 2010: This Is Not My Life as Hine/WAI Field Reporter (2 episodes)
- 2011: Chuck as Fatima Tazi (1 episode)
- 2011: Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as Naevia (6 episodes)
- 2011: CSI: NY as Camille Jordanson (2 episodes)
- 2011: Memphis Beat as Adriana (1 episode)
- 2011: Zombie Apocalypse as Cassie (Television film)
- 2014: Being Mary Jane as Tamiko Roberts (1 episode)
- 2014: Killer Women as Amber Flynn (1 episode)
- 2014: Single Ladies as Naomi Cox (11 episodes)
- 2014: Gotham as Larissa Diaz/Copperhead (1 episode)
- 2014: The Librarians as Lamia (5 episodes)
- 2016–2021: Lucifer as Mazikeen/Lilith (Main Cast, Seasons 1–6)
- 2023: Captain Fall as Liza (voice, Main cast)
- 2024: The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live as Pearl Thorne (3 episodes)
Music Videos
- 2007: Battle Circus – “Love in a Fallout Shelter” (Lead Female)
- 2007: Nesian Mystik – “R.S.V.P.” (Lead Female)
Conclusion
Lesley-Ann Brandt’s journey from Cape Town to Hollywood exemplifies her remarkable talent and determination. With her diverse roles and impactful performances, she continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Brandt’s dedication to her craft and her ability to embrace her heritage and experiences make her a standout figure in the entertainment industry. As she continues to take on new and challenging roles, Lesley-Ann Brandt’s star power shows no signs of dimming.