Ria Vandervis facts for kids

Ria Vandervis was born on July 5, 1984. She is a talented actress from New Zealand. Many people know her for playing Harper Whitley in the TV show Shortland Street. She also played Miratrix in Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.

Ria's Acting Journey

Ria Vandervis started her acting career in 2002. She performed in many plays and short films while studying at UNITEC. Between 2004 and 2006, she appeared in several short films. These included Lovely Creature, A Telling Time, Tough Fortune Cookies, and Billy for Lilly.

Early TV and Movie Roles

In 2007, Ria had a supporting role in the movie The Devil Dared Me To. That same year, she became well-known for her role as Miratrix in the TV series Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.

After that, Ria took on various TV roles in Australia. In 2009, she appeared in shows like Packed to the Rafters, The Cut, Underbelly, and Rescue: Special Ops. In 2010, she played Senior Constable Roxanne Perez in the police drama Cops L.A.C.. Later, in 2013, she was Detective Christie Mills in the New Zealand police drama Harry.

Starring in Shortland Street

In 2013, Ria Vandervis joined the cast of the popular New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She played the character Harper Whitley. She was first hired for a six-month period. However, her role became a regular one because she was so good.

At first, Ria traveled between Dunedin and Auckland for filming. Her character, Harper, became very popular. One fan even named her daughter 'Harper Ria' to honor Ria and her character. Ria has also shared that people often stop her for autographs and photos.

About Ria's Life

Ria Vandervis was born in Dunedin, which is in the South Island of New Zealand. She went to Columba College in Dunedin. After that, she studied acting at UNITEC in Auckland. She completed a three-year acting course there.

Moving to Australia and Family Life

Later, Ria moved to Sydney, Australia. She wanted to find more acting opportunities there. In 2012, she married Chris Ashton. When her role on Shortland Street was extended, Ria faced some personal challenges. She even thought about leaving the show.

Besides acting, Ria also works as a marriage celebrant. This means she helps people get married. She also helps out with her husband's clothing business. Her father is Lee Vandervis.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Ria Vandervis para niños