Kaylah Zander first captured international attention as the mystical river witch Sycorax in Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” Her commanding portrayal of the powerful hedge witch introduced global viewers to a Canadian actress whose multicultural East Vancouver upbringing and Chilean heritage contribute to her diverse character work on the world’s biggest streaming platform.
Kaylah Zander is a Canadian actress known for her roles in popular television series, including “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “The 100,” and has appeared in films like “Rescued by Ruby” and “Needle in a Timestack.” Born Kaylah Zander-Nuñez, this Vancouver actress has built her career across multiple genres, establishing herself as a versatile performer in global entertainment.
Key Facts About Kaylah Zander
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kaylah Zander-Nuñez |
| Given Name | Kaylah |
| Family Name | Zander |
| Born (Age) | March 16, 1988 (37 years old as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnicity | Chilean-Canadian, Latinx |
| Birthplace | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Job Title | Actress |
| Active Years | 2017 – Present |
| Notable For | “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” “The Recruit,” “Rescued by Ruby” |
| Parents | Kim Zander (mother), late Raul Guillermo Nuñez (father) |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Education | BA in Anthropology, University of British Columbia |
| Training | The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, The Fitzmaurice Institute |
| Expertise | Anthropology |
Who Is Kaylah Zander and What Shaped Her Background?
Kaylah Zander was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in a household that bridged Canadian and Chilean cultures. Her mother, Kim Zander, brought European-Canadian heritage with Dutch and English roots. Her father, the late Raul Guillermo Nuñez, arrived as a Chilean refugee during his country’s political upheaval.
This multicultural foundation in Vancouver’s diverse East Side community exposed Zander to multiple languages and storytelling traditions. Her bilingual upbringing, speaking both English and Spanish, provided cultural perspectives that enhance her character work. Her father’s refugee experience brought stories of resilience that influenced her understanding of human struggle.
Before acting, Zander completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. This academic background in studying human cultures gave her analytical tools for understanding character motivations. The anthropological training taught her to observe social behavior patterns—skills that translate directly into her performances.
At 18, Zander worked for six years at Black Dog Video, Vancouver’s legendary independent video store. This position immersed her in international cinema and exposed her to diverse filmmaking approaches. Black Dog Video served as her film education where she studied both mainstream Hollywood productions and independent international works.
How Did Kaylah Zander Start Her Acting Career?
Kaylah Zander began her professional acting career in 2017 with her debut in the short film “Oranges and Browns,” where she portrayed Beth Morsen. This career shift from anthropology graduate to working actress required strategic planning and intensive training.
Zander moved to New York City to train at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and The Fitzmaurice Institute. The Neighborhood Playhouse’s intensive Meisner technique training helped her develop authentic emotional responses. The Fitzmaurice Institute focused on voice work and physical expression. These institutions have trained notable actors including Robert Duvall and Allison Janney.
Back in Vancouver, she continued developing her craft with mentor Lori Triolo and coach Andrew McIlroy. This commitment to ongoing professional development reflects her serious approach to acting as both art and profession.
Her early work included several short films such as “La Catrina,” “Streetcar,” and “Colours.” Each project offered opportunities to work with different directors while building her professional network in Canadian cinema.
What Are Kaylah Zander’s Movies and TV Shows?
Breakthrough in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”
Kaylah Zander’s role as Sycorax in Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” brought her international recognition in supernatural television. The Sycorax character, a river witch and member of the hedge witches, appeared across multiple episodes during the show’s Parts 3 and 4 in 2020.
Sycorax required Zander to embody ancient mystical authority while navigating complex supernatural politics. As one of the hedge witches summoned by Zelda Spellman to strengthen their coven against the Pagan Tribe, Sycorax possessed water manipulation abilities and advanced spell-casting skills. Her performance brought gravity and authenticity to scenes involving magical combat within the Archieverse cast.
Leading Role in “The Recruit”
Zander’s career expanded with her role as lawyer Amelia Salazar in Netflix’s “The Recruit,” where she stars opposite Noah Centineo in the first season (2022) and continues across two seasons. This role demonstrates her ability to handle contemporary drama and action sequences while portraying a confident CIA lawyer navigating dangerous international espionage.
Amelia Salazar represents a significant departure from supernatural television work, showcasing Zander’s range in portraying intelligent professionals in high-stakes environments. The character’s legal expertise and moral complexity provided opportunities to explore themes of loyalty and ethics in modern geopolitical contexts.
Notable Film and Television Appearances
In “The 100,” Zander appeared as Tosh in Season 6, playing a militant member of the Children of Gabriel. This The 100 actress role in the post-apocalyptic science fiction series allowed her to explore darker character motivations and showcase physical performance skills.
Her film work includes “Rescued by Ruby,” where she portrayed Melissa O’Neil opposite Grant Gustin in this Netflix biographical drama about a state trooper and his search-and-rescue dog. In “Needle in a Timestack,” Zander played Steph in this science fiction romantic drama directed by John Ridley.
Additional television credits include “Fire Country” as Aydan Sato, “iZombie” as Riley, and guest appearances in “Supergirl.” Her work spans multiple networks and streaming platforms, demonstrating versatility across different production environments.
What Is Known About Kaylah Zander’s Personal Life?
Regarding questions like “is Kaylah Zander married” or “who is Kaylah Zander dating,” she maintains privacy about her personal relationships. As of 2025, there is no publicly confirmed information about a husband, partner, or boyfriend. This discretion reflects her preference for separating professional and personal spheres.
Kaylah Zander’s family includes two sisters, Marcela Huerta and Malva Nunez Schmidt, plus a half-sister from her mother’s previous relationship. Her family connections remain important, though she rarely discusses personal family matters in public interviews.
Kaylah Zander’s ethnicity reflects her Chilean heritage through her father and Canadian background through her mother. This dual cultural identity connects her to broader Latin American traditions while maintaining strong ties to Canadian multicultural values.
Zander splits her time between Vancouver, a major hub for Canadian film and television, and Los Angeles, the center of Hollywood, allowing her to pursue roles in both local and international productions. Her Vancouver roots remain strong, and she continues collaborating with Canadian talent and production companies.
Kaylah Zander’s Public Image and Interviews
Kaylah Zander maintains a deliberately professional public persona, focusing attention on her craft rather than personal celebrity. Her preference for privacy, particularly regarding personal relationships, reflects a commitment to separating her professional achievements from tabloid speculation.
In public interviews, Zander often discusses her anthropological training and how it informs her approach to character development. Her experience at Black Dog Video frequently appears in interviews as a formative influence on her understanding of international cinema and storytelling techniques. This background provides her with unique insights into diverse narrative approaches that enhance her versatility as an actress.
Her occasional public appearances reveal a thoughtful, articulate professional who speaks knowledgeably about her Chilean heritage and its influence on her worldview. Zander’s interviews consistently demonstrate her serious approach to acting as both art and craft, emphasizing continuous learning and cultural understanding in her character work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaylah Zander
Q: What is Kaylah Zander known for? A: Kaylah Zander is known for her roles as Sycorax in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and Amelia Salazar in “The Recruit.”
Q: What is Kaylah Zander’s nationality? A: Kaylah Zander is Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Q: How old is Kaylah Zander? A: Born on March 16, 1988, Kaylah Zander is 37 years old as of 2025.
Q: How tall is Kaylah Zander? A: Kaylah Zander is 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
Q: What is Kaylah Zander’s ethnicity? A: Kaylah Zander is of Chilean-Canadian heritage, identifying as Latinx.
Q: Is Kaylah Zander married? A: As of 2025, there is no public information confirming Kaylah Zander’s relationship status.
Q: What are Kaylah Zander’s most notable movies and TV shows? A: Her notable works include “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” “The Recruit,” “The 100,” “Fire Country,” “iZombie,” “Rescued by Ruby,” and “Needle in a Timestack.”
Professional Impact and Continuing Legacy
Kaylah Zander’s career path illustrates the changing landscape of global television entertainment, where streaming platforms create opportunities for diverse storytelling and international talent. Her work across supernatural horror, contemporary action drama, and science fiction demonstrates versatility that connects with audiences worldwide seeking authentic representation.
Her anthropological background provides unique depth to character analysis, while her multicultural heritage allows her to authentically portray diverse roles. As Canadian actress Netflix shows continue expanding their international reach, Zander’s ability to work across different cultural contexts positions her well for future global productions.
The transition from Vancouver’s independent film community to major Netflix series productions illustrates broader opportunities for Canadian performers in the international entertainment marketplace. Her story encourages other actors from diverse backgrounds to pursue their goals while maintaining connections to their cultural heritage.
Through roles ranging from mystical witch characters to contemporary legal professionals, Kaylah Zander continues building a career that bridges supernatural fantasy and real-world drama. Her work contributes to growing representation of Latinx-Canadian voices in mainstream entertainment, establishing her as a notable talent in an increasingly connected global industry.
Discover more compelling biographies of Canadian actresses making their mark in international entertainment on Feelepa, where we celebrate the diverse stories behind your favorite performers.
