Ria Vandervis

Biography

Ria Vandervis 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.

In 2009 Vandervis played various television roles, starting in Packed to the Rafters as Layla Soubrani, The Cut, Underbelly and Rescue: Special Ops. In 2010, Vandervis played the regular role of Senior Constable Roxanne Perez in the Nine Network police drama Cops L.A.C. In 2013, Vandervis played Detective Christie Mills in the TV3 police drama Harry.

Later in 2013 Vandervis was cast as Harper Whitley in TV2 New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Vandervis was originally hired under a 6-month recurring contract that was later extended to a regular role. 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.

She is married to Chris Ashton as of 2012. She also works as a marriage celebrant and helps out in her husbands clothing business.