Former Neighbours star Jay Ryan has scored a role in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, nabbing the part of Adult Ben in the upcoming IT sequel, IT: Chapter Two.
The actor has been cast as the older version of Ben Hanscom, who was played by Jeremy Ray Taylor in the first film.
Jay has landed a highly-coveted role in the IT sequel.
Following the first part of Stephen King’s iconic novel, the first film told the story of how a group of children in ‘The Losers Club’ were terrorised by Pennywise.
It: Chapter Two picks up 27 years later, when the members of The Losers Club are brought back to their hometown in Maine, after a devastating phone call.
Jay joins Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader, who play Beverly Marsh, Bill Denbrough, and Richie Tozier, respectively, in the sequel. Bill Skarsgård is set to return as Pennywise, the terrifying clown.
The cast of 2017’s film IT will be replaced with ‘adult versions’ in the sequel.
The Auckland-born actor rose to prominence in Australia with his role as Jack Scully on Neighbours. He went on to star as Billy ‘Spider’ Webb in Sea Patrol, before appearing as Fraser King on Offspring.
The 36-year-old wowed audiences as Mark in the Golden Globe-winning series Top Of The Lake. He starred as the lead in the CW Network’s Beauty and the Beast series from 2012 to 2016, and currently stars as Ben Wesley in the Canadian series Mary Kills People.
Jay starred as ‘Spider’ in Sea Patrol.
Jay appeared excited by the announcement he was joining the cast of IT: Chapter Two.
His younger counter-part Jeremy tweeted out his congratulations earlier today, writing: ‘Joining the club, Jay Ryan?’
The actor replied: ‘Can’t wait!’
IT: Chapter Two is a New Line Cinema production, set to be directed by Andy Muschietti. It’s scheduled to be released in the US in September 2019.
