There’s something magnetic about an actor who carries two worlds inside them. Laysla De Oliveira, born in Toronto to Brazilian parents, has built a career that draws directly from that duality — and it’s paid off in roles that demand physical grit and emotional depth. She’s become one of the most compelling young actors in genre television, and this article breaks down her ethnicity, personal life, and career, including her return as Cruz Manuelos in Lioness Season 2.
Born: January 11, 1992 · Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada · Known roles: Cruz Manuelos (Lioness), Dodge (Locke & Key) · Ethnicity: Brazilian · Languages: English, Portuguese · Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Quick snapshot
- Born January 11, 1992 in Toronto (Wikipedia)
- Of Brazilian descent (IMDb)
- Fluent in English and Portuguese (Los Angeles Times)
- Returns as Cruz Manuelos in Lioness Season 2 (TheWrap)
- 2015: Acting debut (IMDb)
- 2019: Cast as Dodge in Locke & Key (IMDb)
- 2023: Cast as Cruz Manuelos in Lioness (IMDb)
- 2024–2025: Lioness Season 2 return (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Continues as Cruz in Lioness Season 2, now streaming on Paramount+ (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Potential future roles in film and television – no confirmed projects yet (Rotten Tomatoes)
Eight key biographical points, one pattern: her Brazilian roots and bilingual fluency are the thread running through every major career move.
The table below consolidates her core biographical data from multiple verified sources.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laysla De Oliveira | Wikipedia |
| Date of birth | January 11, 1992 | Wikipedia |
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Wikipedia |
| Ethnicity | Brazilian | IMDb |
| Languages | English, Portuguese | Los Angeles Times |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | IMDb |
| Known for | Cruz Manuelos (Lioness), Dodge (Locke & Key) | IMDb |
The implication: her bilingual and bicultural background isn’t a secondary trait — it’s the throughline in every major career decision.
What ethnicity is Laysla de Oliveira?
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s background?
De Oliveira identifies as Brazilian-Canadian. Both parents are Brazilian, and she grew up speaking Portuguese at home. In a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she said her mother immigrated to Canada as a cleaning lady and built the family life with very little. She described her Brazilian connection as central to the grit and strength she brought to the role of Cruz Manuelos.
Where was Laysla de Oliveira born?
She was born in Toronto, Ontario, on January 11, 1992, according to Wikipedia. She spent part of her childhood living in Brazil when she was 10, as noted in the same Los Angeles Times profile.
De Oliveira’s bicultural upbringing isn’t a footnote — it’s the engine of her on-screen authenticity. For spy and fantasy roles, that lived experience gives her an edge that monoglot actors can’t replicate.
The pattern: her Brazilian heritage is the framework she uses to approach every character.
Who is Laysla de Oliveira married to?
How did Laysla de Oliveira meet her husband?
According to Wikipedia, De Oliveira began dating actor Jonathan Keltz in 2018. The couple became engaged in Malibu, California, in December 2021. Keltz is known for roles in television series, though his current profession is not widely covered in major outlets.
Does Laysla de Oliveira have children?
She has no children. Multiple biographical sources, including IMDb, list no offspring as of 2025.
Bottom line: De Oliveira is reportedly engaged to actor Jonathan Keltz, but the couple keeps details private. No children.
Is Laysla de Oliveira in season two of Lioness?
Does Cruz leave Lioness?
Yes — and no. After a tense Season 1 finale, Cruz Manuelos was alive and expected to return. TheWrap confirmed that De Oliveira is part of the returning cast for Season 2, which premiered in 2024. The season received a full order from Paramount+ and features her alongside Zoe Saldaña, Michael Kelly, and Nicole Kidman, with Morgan Freeman promoted to series regular.
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s role in Lioness?
She portrays Cruz Manuelos, a U.S. Marine recruited into a CIA-led counterterrorism program. Her character’s journey — from boot camp to deep cover — demands physical transformation and emotional vulnerability. De Oliveira has said in interviews that she trained rigorously for the action scenes, performing many of her own stunts. (Los Angeles Times)
For a drama built on operational realism, casting a bilingual actress who can also handle combat choreography is a necessity. De Oliveira’s Portuguese skills add a layer of authenticity when the story moves south of the border.
What this means: De Oliveira’s return as Cruz anchors Season 2 of Lioness, combining her bilingual skills with the physical demands of the role.
What languages does Laysla de Oliveira speak?
Is Laysla de Oliveira fluent in Portuguese?
Yes. She speaks both English and Portuguese fluently, and has stated that she learned Portuguese before English. In a report by Notícias da TV (UOL), she described herself as Canadian and Brazilian, and said she holds citizenship in both countries. The Los Angeles Times noted that she and the interviewer — both of Brazilian background — switched to Portuguese during the conversation.
The implication: her bilingualism is not a resume line but a functional tool she deploys on set.
What are Laysla de Oliveira’s movies and TV shows?
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s age and height?
Born January 11, 1992, she is 33 years old (as of 2025). Her height is listed at 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) per IMDb.
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but industry estimates place her net worth between $1 million and $2 million, based on her steady television work and rising profile.
Her filmography includes:
- Locke & Key (Netflix, 2020–2022) – played Dodge, the demonic antagonist.
- Lioness (Paramount+, 2023–present) – lead role as Cruz Manuelos across 16 episodes (IMDb full credits).
- In the Tall Grass (Netflix, 2019) – supporting role.
- Billy the Kid (Epix, 2022) – guest appearance.
Bottom line: De Oliveira is a working actor with a breakout in Locke & Key and a career-defining role in Lioness. Her net worth is modest but growing.
Timeline
- 1992 – Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Wikipedia)
- 2015 – Acting debut, appearing in short films and television (IMDb)
- 2019 – Cast as Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key (IMDb)
- 2023 – Cast as Cruz Manuelos in Paramount+’s Lioness (IMDb)
- 2024–2025 – Returns for Lioness Season 2 (TheWrap)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born January 11, 1992 in Toronto (Wikipedia)
- Brazilian ethnicity (IMDb)
- Speaks English and Portuguese fluently (Los Angeles Times)
- Returns as Cruz in Lioness Season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth – estimated, no official confirmation
- Husband’s name and current profession – Wikipedia reports Jonathan Keltz but major outlets do not corroborate
Quotes
“She said her mother immigrated to Canada as a cleaning lady and built the family life with very little.”
— Los Angeles Times (2024)
“Her Brazilian connection is central to the grit and strength she brought to Cruz Manuelos.”
— Los Angeles Times (2024)
“She considers herself Canadian and Brazilian and said she learned Portuguese before English.”
The pattern: Every major source emphasizes her bicultural identity. For De Oliveira, being Brazilian isn’t a background detail — it’s the framework she uses to approach every character.
Related reading: **Taylor Kitsch: Relationship Status, Net Worth, Career**
reefvoice.com, lioness.fandom.com, thedirect.com, imdb.com, everything.explained.today
For a deeper look into Laysla De Oliveiras background, including her Brazilian heritage and personal life, this profile offers comprehensive details.
Frequently asked questions
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s most famous role?
She is best known for playing Cruz Manuelos in the Paramount+ series Lioness and Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key. (IMDb)
Is Laysla de Oliveira married?
She is reportedly engaged to actor Jonathan Keltz, though the couple has not publicly confirmed a wedding date. (Wikipedia)
Does Laysla de Oliveira have children?
No, she has no children. (IMDb)
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s age?
She was born January 11, 1992, making her 33 years old as of 2025. (Wikipedia)
What is Laysla de Oliveira’s height?
She is 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) tall. (IMDb)
Where did Laysla de Oliveira grow up?
She grew up in Toronto, Canada, and spent time living in Brazil when she was 10. (Los Angeles Times)
Does Laysla de Oliveira speak Portuguese?
Yes, she is fluent in both English and Portuguese, and stated that she learned Portuguese before English. (Notícias da TV (UOL))
For casting directors and fans alike, Laysla De Oliveira represents a rare combination: an actor who can deliver physical intensity, emotional nuance, and authentic cultural perspective in the same scene. Her bilingualism and Brazilian heritage are not accessories — they are the tools she uses to build characters that feel lived-in. The question now is how far that toolkit will take her. For the industry, the choice is clear: book her, or watch her shine in someone else’s production.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.