The role of Mazikeen on the television series Lucifer brought international visibility to Lesley-Ann Brandt during its six-year run from 2016 to 2021. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, on 2 December 1981, she eventually transitioned from her initial retail and recruitment career in New Zealand to a full-time profession in the performing arts.
Early Career and Training
After graduating from Pinelands High School in South Africa, Brandt moved to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1999 with her family. Her initial professional experiences involved retail sales and work as an information technology recruitment consultant. She began her transition into entertainment through modelling and television commercials. In 2008, she underwent formal acting training, specifically learning the Meisner technique.
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Brandt's first significant acting credit arrived with the New Zealand series Diplomatic Immunity. She subsequently secured roles in projects such as Shortland Street and the science fiction production This Is Not My Life. Her career gained momentum with her portrayal of Naevia in the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand and the prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. She also featured in the New Zealand feature film The Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell.
Expanding Credits
Throughout the early 2010s, Brandt appeared in various American television programmes, including episodes of CSI: NY, Legend of the Seeker, and Memphis Beat. She performed as Cassie in the 2011 Syfy feature Zombie Apocalypse and appeared in the films Drift and Duke. Recurring roles in Single Ladies, Gotham, and The Librarians further established her industry profile prior to her casting in the FOX series Lucifer, where she replaced Lina Esco.
Personal Life and Citizenship
Brandt is currently based in Los Angeles. She married actor Chris Payne Gilbert in 2015, and the couple welcomed a son in 2017. Beyond her acting work, she maintains an interest in sports such as baseball and hockey, having previously competed in field hockey in South Africa. On 13 July 2023, she confirmed that she had attained American citizenship.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 December 1981, Cape Town
- Education: Pinelands High School
- Notable Role: Mazikeen in Lucifer
- Citizenship: South Africa, United States
- Spouse: Chris Payne Gilbert
- Acting Technique: Meisner
- Migration: Moved to Auckland in 1999
- Naturalization: 13 July 2023
Questions readers ask
What is Lesley-Ann Brandt's most recognizable role?
She is best known for her portrayal of Mazikeen on the television series Lucifer.
When did Brandt become a citizen of the United States?
She officially became an American citizen on 13 July 2023.
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