Jay Ryan (actor)

Under the name Jay Bunyan, he appeared as Glen in Scallywag Pirates (2000) and had a minor role in Xena: Warrior Princess. He is known for his portrayal of Jack Scully in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from late 2002 until January 2005.^[2]

From 2007 until 2009, Ryan played Seaman William "Billy" Webb a.k.a. "Spider" in the popular Australian drama, Sea Patrol.^[2]

From a theatre background, Ryan has shared the stage with the likes of John Cleese and toured internationally with The Packer, an acclaimed solo show written by NZ/Niuean playwright Dianna Fuemana.

From 2009 to 2012, Ryan played Kevin in the New Zealand comedy/drama series Go Girls.^[3] In 2011, he joined the cast of the Australian comedy/drama series Offspring.^{[citation needed]} Also in 2011, Ryan guest-starred in the American science-fiction series Terra Nova, playing a murderer. For this role Ryan used an American accent.

In 2012 Ryan was cast as the male lead in the CW's Beauty & the Beast pilot.^[4] The CW officially announced the series at the May 2012 Up Fronts in New York.^[5]

Ryan starred as the adult Ben Hanscom in the 2019 horror film It Chapter Two, the sequel to It (2017). He shares the character with Jeremy Ray Taylor.

On 21 November 2025, Ryan was announced in the cast for ABC series Dustfall.^[6]

Ryan is of English, Welsh and Irish descent. He has a daughter (born 2013) with his wife, the playwright and director Dianna Fuemana.^[7] In June 2023, Ryan stated in an interview with New Zealand newspaper Stuff that he and his family had moved back to New Zealand after the COVID-19 pandemic and that he had become a naturalized citizen of Canada.^[1]