Jay Ryan (born Jay Bunyan) is a New Zealand actor. He is best known for his roles as Jack Scully in Neighbours (2002–2005), Seaman Billy 'Spider' Webb in Sea Patrol (2007–2009), Kevin in Go Girls (2009–2012), Vincent Keller in Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016), Detective Ben Wesley in Mary Kills People (2017–2019) and Bobby in Creamerie (2021–2023).
Ryan made his feature film breakthrough playing adult Ben Hanscom in It Chapter Two (2019), a sequel to the 2017 horror film It, based on the 1986 novel of the same name.
Career 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.
From 2007 until 2009, Ryan played Seaman William "Billy" Webb a.k.a. "Spider" in the popular Australian drama, Sea Patrol.
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. In 2011, he joined the cast of the Australian comedy/drama series Offspring. 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. The CW officially announced the series at the May 2012 Up Fronts in New York.
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.
Personal life Ryan is of English, Welsh and Irish descent. He has a daughter (born 2013) with his wife, the playwright and director Dianna Fuemana. 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.
Filmography Film + Year Title Role Notes 2010 Lou Cosmo 2019 It Chapter Two Ben Hanscom Shared role with Jeremy Ray Taylor 2020 The Furnace Shaw 2021 Together Forever Tea Matt Slater TV Movie 2022 Muru Gallagher 2025 Wolf Creek: Legacy
Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Young Hercules Cadet Episode: "Keeping Up with the Jasons" 1999 Xena: Warrior Princess Zortis (uncredited) Episode: "Fallen Angel"2002 The Tribe Blue (uncredited) 2 episodes Being Eve Sam Hooper Series regular; 13 episodes Superfire Dennis Television film 2002–2005 Neighbours Jack Scully Series regular (as Jay Bunyan) 2003 You Wish! Charles Television film 2005 Interrogation Police Constable Dean Salmon Guest role; 3 episodes 2007–2009 Sea Patrol Seaman Billy "Spider" Webb Series regular; 39 episodes 2009–2012 Go Girls Kevin Series regular; 46 episodes 2010 Legend of the Seeker Alastair Episode: "Eternity"2011 Offspring Fraser King 6 episodes Terra Nova Curran 3 episodes 2012–2016 Beauty & the Beast Vincent Keller /Alistair in S2 episode set in 1854 Series regular 2013 Top of the Lake Mark Mitcham Miniseries; 6 episodes 2017–2019 Mary Kills People Detective Ben Wesley Series regular 2018 Fighting Season Sgt Sean Collins Miniseries; 6 episodes2021 Together Forever Tea Matt Slater Television film My Life Is Murder Joe Gorman Episode: "Crushed Dreams" 2021–2023 Creamerie Bobby Series regular2023 No Escape Aaron 7 episodes Scrublands Byron Swift Miniseries; 4 episodes 2024 Territory Campbell Miller 6 episodes 2025 North of North Alistair 2025 Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent Miles Graff 1 episode 2025 The Ridge Ewan Main Role2026DustfallTBATV series
Awards Year Award Work Result2003 Logie Award for Most Popular New Male TalentNeighbours 2014 Equity Ensemble Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries or TelemovieTop of the Lake
References
External links
Jay Ryan page – Official Go Girls Website