Laysla De Oliveira
Laysla De Oliveira is a Canadian actress known for her versatile roles in television and film. Born in Toronto to a family of Brazilian origin, she has gained prominence through her work in high-profile projects for streaming services. Her breakout role came as the antagonist Dodge in the Netflix supernatural series Locke & Key, which introduced her to a wide international audience. De Oliveira has since starred as Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ spy thriller Lioness and appeared in films such as Guest of Honour and In the Tall Grass, establishing herself as a significant talent in the Canadian entertainment industry.
Early life and education
Laysla De Oliveira was born on January 11, 1992, in Toronto, Ontario, into a family of Brazilian heritage. She developed an interest in performing arts from a young age and pursued formal training in drama and dance at the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, a specialized public high school in Toronto. While she began a modelling career at the age of 14, her primary ambition was always to become an actress, a goal she actively worked towards during her formative years. After high school, she continued her education at college, where she secured representation by acquiring an acting agent, a crucial step in launching her professional career in film and television.
Career beginnings and early film roles
De Oliveira's early career involved appearances in several television films and direct-to-video productions, which provided her with initial on-screen experience. Her first significant film role was in the romantic drama Acquainted, directed by Natty Zavitz, where she played the character Emma. The film had its world premiere at the Whistler Film Festival on December 1, 2018, marking her entry into the festival circuit. This project demonstrated her capability in a leading dramatic role and helped establish her presence within the Canadian film industry, opening doors to subsequent opportunities with notable directors and larger productions.
Breakthrough with genre films and Locke & Key
In August 2018, De Oliveira was cast in the Netflix horror film In the Tall Grass, an adaptation of the novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill. Directed by Vincenzo Natali, the film featured her as Becky DeMuth and was released on October 4, 2019, bringing her work to a global streaming audience. While filming In the Tall Grass in Toronto, director Atom Egoyan requested a meeting with her, which led directly to her being cast in the starring role of Veronica in his drama film Guest of Honour. That film premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2019, giving her work recognition on an international stage. Her major career breakthrough came in February 2019 when she was announced for the role of Dodge, the primary antagonist, in the Netflix series Locke & Key, based on Joe Hill's graphic novels.
De Oliveira was very excited to portray a villain for the first time, finding Dodge's unapologetically evil nature a rare opportunity for a female actor. She cited Angelina Jolie's performance as the title character in Maleficent as a specific inspiration for her portrayal of Dodge. The first season of Locke & Key was released on Netflix on February 7, 2020, and became a popular hit, significantly raising her international profile. During production, she reunited with director Vincenzo Natali, who directed the final two episodes of the first season, creating a continuity from their earlier film collaboration. The series required her to carry a complex, dark role in a major streaming production, which she executed to wide acclaim, cementing her status as a rising star.
Subsequent television work and Lioness
Following the success of Locke & Key, De Oliveira took on the lead role of Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ spy thriller series Lioness, created by Taylor Sheridan. In this series, she plays a passionate and tough United States Marine recruited into a clandestine program, marking a significant shift into action-oriented and dramatic storytelling. The role of Cruz Manuelos demands physical intensity and emotional depth, further demonstrating her range as an actress capable of handling demanding lead parts in high-profile series. Her involvement in Lioness connects her to another major streaming platform and a renowned showrunner, expanding her professional network and audience reach. This project continues her pattern of selecting strong, complex characters in genre-driven narratives that have broad appeal.
Artistic approach and role selection
De Oliveira has expressed a clear interest in roles that challenge conventions, particularly for female actors, as seen in her enthusiasm for playing the villainous Dodge. She is drawn to characters with an unapologetic nature, whether in their evil intentions or their professional drive, which she finds more compelling and less frequently written. Her collaboration with directors like Atom Egoyan and Vincenzo Natali indicates a preference for working with filmmakers who have distinct visual and narrative styles. The trajectory of her career, from independent festival films to leading roles in major streaming series, reflects a strategic selection of projects that build her repertoire and visibility. Her work consistently involves adaptations of popular source material, such as the works of Stephen King, Joe Hill, and comic book graphics, allowing her to interpret well-known characters for new audiences.
Personal life
Laysla De Oliveira has been in a long-term relationship with fellow Canadian actor Jonathan Keltz since 2012. The couple became engaged in Malibu, California, in December 2021 during a trip to the United States, and they got married in 2024, marking a new chapter in their personal lives together. De Oliveira maintains a notably private personal life, with public details largely confined to her professional achievements and her relationship status as a matter of public record, keeping the focus on her acting career. Her Brazilian heritage and Toronto upbringing remain integral parts of her personal background, though she does not frequently discuss them in detail publicly.
Filmography and key projects
De Oliveira's filmography includes a mix of festival dramas, mainstream horror, and major television series. She worked with acclaimed Canadian director Atom Egoyan on the film Guest of Honour and with director Vincenzo Natali on In the Tall Grass and episodes of Locke & Key. Her career began with her debut role as Emma in the romantic drama film Acquainted. These key screen roles have been important in defining her career path and public image.
- Emma in Acquainted (2018), premiered at the Whistler Film Festival.
- Becky DeMuth in In the Tall Grass (2019), a Netflix horror film adaptation.
- Veronica in Guest of Honour (2019), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Her projects highlight a progression from independent film to leading roles in major streaming series. She started with the festival film Acquainted and later starred in the Netflix series Locke & Key and the Paramount+ series Lioness. This work has cemented her status as a sought-after actress in both Canadian and international productions. Each role has contributed to her reputation for taking on challenging characters across different genres.
Career milestones and industry recognition
Key career milestones for Laysla De Oliveira illustrate the rapid development of her career. In 2017, she was cast in the film Acquainted, which premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in 2018. In 2019, she appeared in the Netflix film In the Tall Grass and the film Guest of Honour, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The first season of the Netflix series Locke & Key, in which she played the antagonist Dodge, was released in 2020.
| Year | Project/Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Acquainted premiere | First major film role and festival premiere at Whistler. |
| 2019 | Guest of Honour premiere | Starring role in an Atom Egoyan film premiering at Venice. |
| 2019 | In the Tall Grass release | Lead role in a Netflix horror film adaptation. |
| 2020 | Locke & Key Season 1 release | Breakout role as Dodge on a global Netflix series. |
These milestones represent a blend of film festival premieres and major streaming service releases. Her work premiered at festivals like Whistler and Venice, and was also released globally on Netflix. Each step increased her visibility and demonstrated her adaptability to different production scales. This strategic growth across mediums and genres built a solid foundation for her future projects.
Questions about Laysla De Oliveira
What is Laysla De Oliveira best known for?
Laysla De Oliveira is best known for playing the villainous role of Dodge in the Netflix supernatural series Locke & Key. She is also recognized for her role as Marine Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ spy series Lioness. Her film work includes notable parts in the horror film In the Tall Grass and the drama Guest of Honour. These roles have established her as a prominent Canadian actress in streaming television and film.
Where was Laysla De Oliveira born and raised?
Laysla De Oliveira was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Her family is of Brazilian origin, providing her with a multicultural background. She pursued her arts education at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts in Toronto. The city's film and television industry served as the foundation for the start of her professional acting career.
What was Laysla De Oliveira's first major film role?
Her first major film role was as Emma in the romantic drama Acquainted, directed by Natty Zavitz. The film premiered at the Whistler Film Festival on December 1, 2018. This role marked her transition from smaller television projects into feature films. It provided her with significant exposure within the Canadian film festival circuit.
Is Laysla De Oliveira married?
Yes, Laysla De Oliveira is married to actor Jonathan Keltz. The couple began dating in 2012 and got engaged in Malibu, California, in December 2021. They were married in 2024. Their relationship is one of the few aspects of her personal life that she has confirmed publicly.
What inspired her performance as Dodge in Locke & Key?
De Oliveira was inspired by Angelina Jolie's performance as the title character in Maleficent for her portrayal of Dodge. She was excited to play a villain, noting that Dodge's unapologetically evil nature was a rare find for female actors. This was her first time playing an antagonist role. The character's complexity and dark appeal were major factors in her approach to the performance.
What other notable directors has she worked with?
She has worked with notable directors including Vincenzo Natali, who directed her in In the Tall Grass and later on episodes of Locke & Key. Acclaimed Canadian director Atom Egoyan cast her in the starring role of Veronica in Guest of Honour after meeting her in Toronto. She was directed by Natty Zavitz in the film Acquainted. These collaborations have linked her to respected figures in both genre and art house cinema.
Sources and further reading
- Laysla De Oliveira (Wikipedia)
- Laysla De Oliveira: Movies, TV, and Bio (primevideo.com)
- Meet Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness (scmp.com)
Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.
