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| From Soap Stars to Stephen King: The Rise of Kiwi Actor Jay Ryan |
If you have kept your eyes on the small and silver screens over the last two decades, chances are you have been captivated by Jay Ryan. The New Zealand-born actor has quietly built one of the most versatile and impressive careers in modern television and film. From the sunny beaches of Australian soaps to the terrifying depths of Hollywood horror, Ryan has proven time and again that he can handle any genre thrown his way.
Let’s take a look at the incredible journey of this Kiwi talent who went from a warrior princess's extra to a global screen star.
🎭 The Early Days: From Jay Bunyan to Neighbors Royalty
Born Jay Bunyan, the actor got his start in the early 2000s under his birth name. Like many famous actors from the Oceania region, his early resume included minor roles in cult classics like Xena: Warrior Princess and Young Hercules.
However, his true breakthrough came in late 2002 when he landed the role of Jack Scully in the iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours. For three years, he became a household name across Australia and the UK, even earning a Logie Award nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent in 2003. Soon after, he adopted the stage name Jay Ryan—and his career truly took flight.
⚓ Dominating Down Under and Moving Overseas
Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ryan became a staple of Australian and New Zealand television.
- Sea Patrol (2007–2009): He won hearts as Seaman William "Billy" Webb, affectionately known as "Spider."
- Go Girls (2009–2012): He showed off his comedic and dramatic range playing Kevin in the hit New Zealand series.
It wasn't long before Hollywood noticed. After a brief guest stint on the American sci-fi series Terra Nova, Ryan landed the coveted male lead role of Vincent Keller in the CW’s hit supernatural drama Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016). The role earned him a massive, passionate international fanbase.
🎈 The Hollywood Breakthrough: Facing Pennywise
In 2019, Jay Ryan made a massive leap to the Hollywood big screen in one of the most highly anticipated horror sequels of the decade: It Chapter Two.
Beating out heavy competition, Ryan was cast as the adult version of Ben Hanscom, sharing the beloved character with young actor Jeremy Ray Taylor. Acting alongside a powerhouse cast including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader, Ryan’s performance as the sensitive, successful architect who faces his childhood nightmares cemented him as a true global star.
📺 A Modern Television Powerhouse
Following his Hollywood success, Ryan returned to his roots in high-end television, consistently choosing gripping, prestige drama projects.
- Mary Kills People (2017–2019): He starred as Detective Ben Wesley in the critically acclaimed dark comedy-drama.
- Creamerie (2021–2023): He jumped into dystopian satire, playing Bobby in the post-apocalyptic New Zealand series.
- Scrublands (2023) & Territory (2024): He dominated recent streaming charts with major roles in these massive Australian drama series.
- Dustfall (2026): He continues his streak of compelling TV leading roles as Simon Prendergast in the recent ABC television series.
🏡 Life Behind the Lens
Off-screen, Ryan keeps a relatively low profile. He is married to the acclaimed New Zealand/Niuean playwright and director Dianna Fuemana, with whom he has a daughter. (Fun fact: early in his career, he even toured internationally in her solo theatre show, The Packer!)
After spending years traveling back and forth between Los Angeles and Canada—where he became a naturalized Canadian citizen—Ryan and his family relocated back home to New Zealand, balancing a quiet family life with a thriving international acting career.
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