Jay Ryan

Jay Ryan, born Jay Bunyan on August 29, 1981, in Auckland, New Zealand, began his career at 19 by moving to Australia. His early television work included playing Jack Scully in Network Ten’s “Neighbours” (2002–2005) and Seaman Billy ‘Spider’ Webb in the Nine Network’s “Sea Patrol” (2007–2009). He also appeared in “Young Hercules” and “Xena: Warrior Princess”. Demonstrating a breadth of experience, Ryan also featured in “Being Eve,” “Interrogation,” “The Tribe,” “You Wish,” and the series “Offspring.”

His career saw progression with a starring role in the New Zealand series “Go Girls” (2009–2012) and a guest role in the US series “Terra Nova” (2011), executive produced by Steven Spielberg. A significant turning point came in 2012 when he secured the male lead role of Vincent Keller opposite Kristin Kreuk in The CW series “Beauty and the Beast” (2012–2016). In 2013, he collaborated with Academy Award-winning director Jane Campion on the BBC mini-series “Top Of The Lake,” for which he was awarded “Best Actor” in New Zealand’s ‘Best On The Box’ awards.

Ryan’s film career also includes roles in Belinda Chayko’s “Lou” with John Hurt and the AFTRS feature “The Rookie.” He featured in award-winning short films such as “Franswa Sharl,” which received the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. On stage, Ryan toured internationally with John Cleese in “Seven Ways To Skin an Ocelot” and starred in the one-man show “The Packer,” which garnered a nomination for Best International Contribution to Los Angeles Theatre at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival. His breakthrough film role was playing the adult Ben Hanscom in the 2019 horror film “It Chapter Two.”