Quick Facts
Biography
Masali Baduza (born 1996) is a South African actress. She is best known for her role as Sephy Hadley in the BBC drama Noughts + Crosses. She was named a rising star and one to watch by the Royal Television Society.
Early life
The youngest of six children, Baduza is from East London, Eastern Cape. She is bilingual in Xhosa and English. She trained at the Los Angeles campus of the New York Film Academy, graduating with an Associate degree in 2016.
Career
Baduza began her career mostly in theatre and appeared in the South African crime thriller Trackers, which was M-Net's top performing show for 2019. Her films include Slumber Party Massacre (2021) and The Woman King (2022).
In 2024, she had a guest role on Bridgerton Season 3 as Michaela Stirling, a genderflipped of the book character Michael Stirling.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Trackers | Thandi Makebe | 3 episodes |
| Bhai's Cafe | Thandi | ||
| The Fighter | Lerato | Short film | |
| 2020–present | Noughts + Crosses | Sephy Hadley | Main role |
| 2021 | Slumber Party Massacre | Young Trish Deveraux | |
| 2022 | The Woman King | Fumbe | |
| 2024 | Bridgerton | Michaela Stirling | Guest role (season 3) |