Lesley-Ann Brandt - Biography, Career and Films
Lesley-Ann Brandt, a renowned South African actress, is widely recognized for her captivating portrayal of Mazikeen in the popular television series, Lucifer. Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Lesley-Ann's journey to stardom took an unconventional turn, transitioning from an IT Recruitment Consultant to landing a lead role in the hit comedy series 'Diplomatic Immunity.' This marked the beginning of her swift rise to fame in New Zealand, where she stole the hearts of audiences nationwide.
Brandt's career kicked off as a model, securing national and international campaigns along with major TV commercials. Casting directors, impressed by her talent, encouraged her to venture into acting. While working full time, Brandt dedicated herself to training with various acting coaches in New Zealand and internationally. Notably, she has made guest appearances on New Zealand series such as 'Shortland Street' and 'This Is Not My Life.' She also took on the role of 'Naevia' in the Starz series 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand.' Lesley-Ann recently completed filming her first feature film, 'Hopes and Dreams.' Currently based in Los Angeles, she continues to make waves in the entertainment industry.
Early Life
Lesley-Ann Brandt, born on December 2, 1981, in Cape Town, South Africa, embodies a rich heritage of Cape Coloured, with Indian, German, Dutch, Bushmen, and Spanish descent. Fluent in Afrikaans, she boasts a diverse range of interests, including yoga, hockey, and baseball. In her homeland, she actively participated in competitive field hockey.
In 1999, Brandt, along with her parents, William Warren and Ann West, and younger brother Brian Brandt, immigrated to Auckland, New Zealand. Starting with retail sales, she later transitioned into information technology recruitment consulting. After some successful modeling ventures, she landed roles in New Zealand television advertisements. In 2008, Brandt delved into acting, studying and honing her craft with a focus on the Meisner technique.
Career
Lesley-Ann Brandt embarked on her acting journey with a significant role in the New Zealand television series "Diplomatic Immunity." Her talent quickly shone through, leading to guest appearances on popular shows like the New Zealand hospital soap opera "Shortland Street" and the science fiction series "This Is Not My Life," set in the fictional town of Waimoana in the 2020s.
Brandt's breakthrough came with the role of Naevia in the first season of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and the prequel miniseries "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena." Despite originally auditioning for another role, Naevia became her own. Unfortunately, due to production delays following the death of Andy Whitfield, Brandt did not return, and the role was taken over by Cynthia Addai-Robinson. Brandt also had a role in the New Zealand coming-of-age film "The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell," a story centered around a kart racing accident victim.
She expanded her presence with guest appearances on "CSI: NY," starring in the episodes "Smooth Criminal" and "Food for Thought," as well as the film "InSight," where she played nurse Valerie Khoury. Brandt showcased her versatility with roles in "Legend of the Seeker," "Memphis Beat," and a lead role in Syfy's highest-rated original feature for 2011, "Zombie Apocalypse." Her filmography continued to grow, featuring in "Drift" with Sam Worthington and Xavier Samuel, as well as "Duke" alongside CSI: NY star Carmine Giovinazzo.
In 2013, Brandt took on a recurring role in the third season of "Single Ladies" as Naomi Cox. The following years saw her guest-starring in "Gotham" as Larissa Diaz/Copperhead and portraying the recurring character Lamia in "The Librarians." The turning point in her television career came in 2015 when she assumed the role of Maze in the FOX series "Lucifer." The show, based on the Vertigo/DC comic book character, Mazikeen, became a hit on Netflix, with a remarkable six-year run, earning the title of the top-binged show in 2021 according to Forbes.
Brandt's future projects include a role opposite Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira in a six-episode limited "Walking Dead" spin-off airing in 2024. Additionally, she stars in the adult animated comedy "Captain Fall," alongside Jason Ritter, Anthony Carrigan, and Chris Meloni, which was set to premiere on Netflix in July 2023.
Personal Life
In 2015, Lesley-Ann Brandt entered a new chapter of her life, marrying her partner of six years, actor Chris Payne Gilbert. The two first crossed paths in 2012 at the Nancy Banks Acting Studio, where they were assigned a scene together. Reflecting on their journey, Lesley-Ann fondly recalls their initial meeting. The couple's love story continued to blossom, and on June 26, 2014, Chris surprised Lesley-Ann with a beach proposal followed by an impromptu engagement party.
Chris Payne Gilbert, an accomplished American actor, is best known for his role on the TBS sitcom "10 Items or Less" (2006 - 2009) as Todd. His impressive career spans across both big and small screens, with notable appearances in shows like "Dexter," "Friends," "CSI: Miami," "Sex and the City," "A Bad Boy's Tale," "Saving Manhattan," "The Irish Vampire Heads Down West," "Blood of Life," "The Protector," "Criminal Minds," and "Fairy Legal."
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Kingston Payne Brandt-Gilbert, in July 2017.
Lesley-Ann’s Films and Television Series
Filmoraphy
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell – 2010
Insight – 2011
A Beautiful Soul – 2012
Drift – 2013
Painkillers – 2015
Duke – 2019
Heartlock – 2019
Television
Diplomatic Immunity – 2009
Spartacus: Blood and Sand - 2010
Legend of the Seeker - 2010
This Is Not My Life - 2010
Chuck - 2011
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena - 2011
CSI: NY - 2011
Memphis Beat - 2011
Zombie Apocalypse - 2011
Being Mary Jane - 2014
Killer Women - 2014
Single Ladies - 2014
Gotham - 2014
The Librarians - 2014
Lucifer - 2016 - 2021
Captain Fall - 2023
Music Videos
Battle Circus - 2007
Nesian Mystik - 2007
References
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2788229/bio/
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