Alisha Wainwright
American actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alisha Ena Wainwright (born July 14, 1988)[1] is an American actress. Following her film debut in Just Before I Go (2014), Wainwright had supporting roles in films such as Death of a Telemarketer (2020) and Palmer (2021), as well as a lead role in There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023). She is best known for her leading roles as Maia Roberts on the second and third seasons of the Freeform supernatural drama series Shadowhunters (2017–19) and Nicole Warren on the Netflix superhero drama series Raising Dion (2019–22).
July 14, 1988
Alisha Wainwright | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alisha Ena Wainwright July 14, 1988 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2008–present |
Early life
Alisha Wainwright was born in Orlando, Florida. She attended Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida.[2][3] Her mother is from Jamaica and her father is from Haiti.[4]
Career
After appearing in a web comedy sketch on the YouTube channel Smosh in 2012,[5] Wainwright guest-starred in several film and television productions including Criminal Minds and Lethal Weapon. In September 2016, her casting as the werewolf Maia Roberts on Freeform's fantasy series Shadowhunters, based on The Mortal Instruments book series by Cassandra Clare was announced.[6] After being a recurring character in season 2, she was promoted to series regular for season 3 of the show.[7][8] Wainwright currently stars in the Netflix series Raising Dion.[9] In 2023, Wainwright began hosting When Science Finds a Way, a podcast produced by the Wellcome Trust that explores global health challenges through personal stories and scientific innovation.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Second Rate Deal | Nikki | Short film |
| 2014 | Just Before I Go | Sarah | |
| 2016 | Save Her | Casting Assistant #1 | Short film |
| 2017 | The Hatred | Betaine | |
| 2020 | Death of a Telemarketer | Christine | |
| 2021 | Palmer | Maggie Hayes | |
| 2023 | There's Something Wrong with the Children | Margaret Winslow | |
| 2025 | Bird In Hand | Bird |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Criminal Minds | Debbie Martin | Episode "What Happens in Mecklinburg..." |
| 2014 | Married | Alissa | Episode "Uncool" |
| 2014 | Love is Relative | Audrey | TV movie |
| 2014–2015 | Perception | Chantal Douglas / Timid Girl | Episode "Possession" (Timid Girl - uncredited)
Episode "Romeo" (Chantal Douglas) |
| 2015 | Vanity | Shelly | Episode "Expression" |
| 2015 | Switched at Birth | Darya | Episode "To the Victor Belong the Spoils" |
| 2015 | Major Crimes | Ainsley Reed | Episode "Blackout" |
| 2015 | Axle Tramp | Anna | |
| 2016 | General Hospital | Nurse Kelsey | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Disney Star Darlings | Leona (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2016 | Rosewood | Cassie Hanson | Episode "Forward Motion & Frat Life" |
| 2018 | Lethal Weapon | Jess Bailey | Episode "Double Shot of Baileys" |
| 2018 | The Wedding Do Over | Taylor | Tv Movie |
| 2017–2019 | Shadowhunters | Maia Roberts | Recurring role (Season 2), 13 episodes Main role (Season 3), 16 episodes[10] |
| 2019–2022 | Raising Dion | Nicole Reese | Main role |
| 2023- | Platonic | Audrey | 4 episodes |