Laysla De Oliveira
Laysla De Oliveira is a Canadian actress known for her compelling performances in high-profile television series and films. Born in Toronto in 1992 to a family of Brazilian origin, she has become a notable figure in both Canadian and international entertainment. She gained widespread recognition for her role as the villain Dodge in the Netflix series Locke & Key and as marine recruit Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ spy thriller Lioness. Her career, which began in modelling, demonstrates her versatility across genres from horror to drama, establishing her as a prominent talent in the industry.
Early life and education
Laysla De Oliveira was born on January 11, 1992, in Toronto, Ontario, into a family with Brazilian heritage. She was raised in a Catholic household, a background she has referenced in interviews. From a young age, she harboured ambitions to become an actress, even as she began a modelling career at the age of 14. To pursue her artistic interests formally, she enrolled at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, a specialized public high school in Toronto, where she studied drama and dance. Her training there provided a foundational skill set for performance. After graduating from high school and entering college, she successfully secured representation by acquiring an acting agent, a crucial step that transitioned her from modelling to professional acting.
Career beginnings and early roles
De Oliveira's initial professional work consisted of roles in television films and direct-to-video projects. Her first significant film role came in 2017 when she was cast as Emma in Natty Zavitz's romantic drama Acquainted. The film had its premiere at the Whistler Film Festival on December 1, 2018, marking an early milestone in her cinematic career. These early projects allowed her to build her resume and gain practical experience in front of the camera. They served as a proving ground before she landed roles in higher-profile productions with notable directors and larger platforms.
Breakthrough in film
A major career breakthrough occurred in 2018 when De Oliveira was cast as Becky DeMuth in the Netflix horror film In the Tall Grass. The film was directed by Canadian filmmaker Vincenzo Natali and adapted from a novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill. Released on October 4, 2019, the project brought her work to a global streaming audience. While filming In the Tall Grass in Toronto, she was approached by acclaimed director Atom Egoyan. This meeting led to her being cast in the starring role of Veronica in Egoyan's drama film Guest of Honour. That film premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2019, further raising her profile within the industry.
Television success with Locke & Key
In February 2019, De Oliveira was announced for another adaptation of Joe Hill's work, securing the antagonist role of Dodge in the Netflix fantasy horror series Locke & Key. Based on the graphic novels, the series was released on February 7, 2020. De Oliveira expressed great excitement about playing a villain for the first time, noting that Dodge's unapologetically evil nature was a rarity for female characters. She cited Angelina Jolie's performance in Maleficent as an inspiration for her portrayal. During production, she reunited with director Vincenzo Natali, who directed the final two episodes of the first season. The series became a popular hit on Netflix, introducing De Oliveira to a wide international audience and solidifying her ability to carry a complex, central role in a major series.
Leading role in Lioness and recent acclaim
De Oliveira's career reached a new level with her casting as Cruz Manuelos, a marine recruit turned operative, in the Paramount+ espionage thriller series Lioness. De Oliveira's performance as Cruz, a character undergoing intense emotional and physical trials, has been hailed as a breakout. She has spoken about the deep, emotionally taxing work required for the role and how she grew alongside her character. In 2026, her work on the series was recognized with the Breakthrough Actress Award at the Critics Choice Celebración in Beverly Hills. This accolade underscores her arrival as a leading actress in prestige television.
Public persona and media
As her profile has risen, De Oliveira has engaged with media to discuss her work and background. In interviews, she has spoken about her Brazilian heritage and her connection to both Toronto and New York City. She is active on social media platforms, where she connects with fans and shares professional updates. Her public appearances at events like the Critics Choice Celebración are documented in entertainment media. The narrative around her career often highlights her journey from model to acclaimed actress, her dedication to emotionally demanding roles, and her status as a Brazilian-Canadian talent making an impact in Hollywood.
Personal life
De Oliveira has maintained a relatively private personal life, with a few details known publicly. She began dating Canadian actor Jonathan Keltz in 2012. The couple became engaged in Malibu, California, in December 2021. They were married in 2024. She has not publicly discussed having children. Her focus in interviews remains primarily on her professional work and the craft of acting.
Questions about Laysla De Oliveira
What is Laysla De Oliveira best known for?
Laysla De Oliveira is best known for her roles in major streaming series. She gained significant fame for playing the demonic antagonist Dodge in the Netflix series Locke & Key. More recently, she has received critical acclaim for her leading role as marine recruit Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ spy thriller Lioness. Her performance in Lioness earned her the Breakthrough Actress Award at the 2026 Critics Choice Celebración. She is also recognized for film roles in In the Tall Grass and Guest of Honour.
Where was Laysla De Oliveira born and raised?
Laysla De Oliveira was born on January 11, 1992, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was raised in Toronto in a family of Brazilian descent. Her upbringing included a Catholic household, a fact she has mentioned in interviews. She pursued her secondary education at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts in Toronto, where she studied drama and dance before launching her professional career.
What was Laysla De Oliveira's first major film role?
De Oliveira's first significant film role was as Emma in the 2017 romantic drama Acquainted, directed by Natty Zavitz. The film premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in December 2018. This role came after she had acted in several television and direct-to-video films. It represented an important step in her transition from smaller projects to feature films with festival exposure.
How did Laysla De Oliveira get the role in Guest of Honour?
De Oliveira was cast in Atom Egoyan's film Guest of Honour while she was in Toronto filming In the Tall Grass. Director Atom Egoyan requested a meeting with her during that time. Impressed by their meeting, Egoyan cast her in the starring role of Veronica. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2019, marking a prestigious moment in her early film career.
Is Laysla De Oliveira married?
Yes, Laysla De Oliveira is married. She began dating actor Jonathan Keltz in 2012. The couple became engaged in Malibu, California, in December 2021. They were married in the year 2024. She has kept details of their relationship largely private, focusing public discussion on her professional work.
What award did Laysla De Oliveira win in 2026?
In 2026, Laysla De Oliveira was honoured with the Breakthrough Actress Award at the Critics Choice Celebración in Beverly Hills. This award recognized her standout performance as Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ series Lioness. The ceremony took place on October 2, 2026. The accolade signified her emergence as a leading talent in television.
Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.
