Ria Vandervis
Born (1984-07-05) 5 July 1984
Dunedin, New Zealand
Occupation(s)Actress
Marriage celebrant
Years active2004–present
SpouseChris Ashton (m. 2012)
Websiteriavandervis.com

Ria Vandervis (born 5 July 1984) is a New Zealand actress. She is most known for her role as Harper Whitley in Shortland Street and Miratrix in Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.

Career

From 2002 to 2006, Vandervis acted in multiple UNITEC theatre productions and short films.[1] Between 2004 and 2006 Vandervis starred in various short films such as the Lovely Creature, A Telling Time, Tough Fortune Cookies and Billy for Lilly as Siren, Julia, Fran and Sarah respectively. In 2007, Vandervis played a supporting role as Cindy Cockburn in the film The Devil Dared Me To. Vandervis also played Miratrix in the film Power Rangers Operation Overdrive. In 2009 Vandervis played various television roles, starting in Packed to the Rafters as Layla Soubrani, The Cut, Underbelly and Rescue: Special Ops.[2] In 2010, Vandervis played the regular role of Senior Constable Roxanne Perez in the Nine Network police drama Cops L.A.C.[3] In 2013, Vandervis played Detective Christie Mills in the TV3 police drama Harry.[2]

Later in 2013 Vandervis was cast as Harper Whitley in TV2 New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.[4] Vandervis was originally hired under a 6-month recurring contract that was later extended to a regular role.[5] Vandervis originally commuted between Dunedin and Auckland for filming. A fan of the soap named her daughter 'Harper Ria' in honour of Vandervis and her character. Vandervis also has stated that she gets stopped for autographs and photos.[6]

Personal life

Vandervis was born in Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand in 1984. She attended Columba College in the Dunedin suburb of Roslyn, followed by Auckland's UNITEC School of Performing & Screen Arts, where she completed a three-year course in acting.[7] Vandervis later moved to Sydney, Australia to pursue more acting roles.[5] She is married to Chris Ashton as of 2012.[6] When cast in the regular role of Harper Whitley, Vandervis struggled with the extension of her contract due to personal relationship issues and considered quitting the show. She also works as a marriage celebrant and helps out in her husband's clothing business.[5]

Filmography

Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Lovely Creature Siren Short film
2004 A Telling Time Julia Short film
2005 Tough Fortune Cookies Fran Short film
2006 Billy for Lilly Sarah Short film
2007 The Devil Dared Me To Cindy Cockburn Feature film
2007 Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Miratrix Main role
2009 Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities Kay Reynolds Episodes: "Stranded", "A Nice Little Earner", "Diamonds", "Judas Kiss"
2009 The Cut Vanessa Stewart TV miniseries
2009 Rescue: Special Ops Jasmine Episode: "Thrillseekers"
2009 Packed to the Rafters Layla Soubrani Recurring role (series 2)
2010 Cops L.A.C. Roxanne Perez Main role
2013 Harry Det. Christie Mills TV series
2013–present Shortland Street Harper Whitley Regular role

References

  1. ↑ Ria Vandervis
  2. 1 2 "Ria Vandervis | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 24 April 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ↑ "COPS L.A.C cast complete". TV Tonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Get to know Ria Vandervis". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ria's Shorty Shock: I Nearly Gave It All Up For Love". Woman's Day. New Zealand Magazines. 10 November 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Ria Vandervis – Class of 2001". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press Limited. 9 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Benson, Nigel (18 June 2013). "Baptism of fire". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
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