Photography: Matt Klitscher.
You can take the star out of Shortland Street, but you can’t stop Ferndale following him into his next big venture. As Shorty fans reel over the shock exit of longtime cast member Ben Barrington, who has played Dr Drew McCaskill since 2015, Woman’s Day can reveal he’ll soon be returning to our screens on Celebrity Treasure Island!
But after pulling the plug on his stint on the medical drama, Ben’s jaw dropped when he turned up to film the reality juggernaut to find his former co-star Ria Vandervis, who played his late screen wife Harper Whitley, was joining him on CTI!
“It’s freaking weird,” he admits.
“It was surreal seeing her – like a body blow. But it’s great because not only is she a familiar face, but she’s somebody I’ve negotiated seemingly insurmountable challenges with on Shorty.”
The two played a married couple for more than seven years, until Harper died in the TVNZ 2 soap’s 2024 cliffhanger. Of his own unexpected exit from Shorty, Ben tells us, “The producers said, ‘We feel like you’ve done your dash,’ and I was like, ‘I’m ready for something else.’ It was burnout in the sense that I’ve done 10 years playing this character – I mean, Friends went for 10 years! I’d just had enough. “I’ve had work every day for 10 years, which is fortunate in our industry, and I’ve got nothing but fond memories, but it was time for me to move on. Fortunately, [production company] SPP was really good to me and has put me in their other shows as well.”
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A new screen role
Ben will star alongside another on-screen love interest, Shorty actress Jane Wills, who played Dr Phil Grayson, in an episode of the new series of The Brokenwood Mysteries, which is coming soon to
TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
Meanwhile, the actor had always thought CTI looked like a “helluva good time” and his mates who had previously competed on the reality show told him the experience would be “life-changing”. They advised him to be open, present and enjoy each day, rather than focus on winning challenges.
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No game plan needed
“I don’t know what I’m in for,” Ben muses.
“They could completely turn the whole format upside down, so I could attempt to have a game plan and strategise, but it’s probably a waste of time.”
Asked what his biggest weakness will be, Ben reveals he was born with no sense of smell, so he’ll be disadvantaged in any sensory challenges.
Living with a disability
“It’s a disability,” shares Ben.
“I can taste, but my taste probably isn’t at 100% either. It means I can’t appreciate freshly baked bread, perfume and flowers. But it’s a double-edged sword because at least I can’t smell farts and food’s easy to resist because I can’t smell donuts or KFC!”
Beyond Brokenwood and CTI, Ben’s back auditioning for jobs – his wife of seven years, Kristie Fergus, describes the actor as a “nightmare” when he’s out of work.
“It’s tricky without something to focus on and challenging to maintain momentum day to day when you don’t have anywhere to be,” admits Ben, who’s previously starred in Outrageous Fortune and
The Almighty Johnsons.
Life behind the scenes
He’s grateful to Kristie for keeping their busy house running and being an “exemplary mum” to their nine-year-old daughter Harley as he navigates the ups and downs of showbiz.
“She’s the heart and soul of our household,” says Ben.
“It’s a home because of her. She’s a wonderful partner, exceptional mother, good friend and carer. “She puts her family first and she’s selfless. Kristie’s ahead of the curve when it comes to looking out for other people. She’s a sweetheart.”
Raising a creative kid
And Ben shares equally adorable Harley has inherited his love of performing, enjoying dance, singing and doing shows. If she considers acting when she’s older, Ben’s advice will be to continue pursuing other interests. As a qualified personal trainer himself, he’d happily explore a career in fitness if the acting gigs dry up.
Ben explains, “Performing arts isn’t the only thing anyone should be interested in doing. Harley might enjoy working in an office or being part of a sales team. If she enjoys that, she should do it, as well as getting herself an agent and going on auditions. “When guiding and advising young people who want to go into performing arts, it’s a mistake to say they shouldn’t have a plan B and that it’s got
to be all or nothing. That’s irresponsible because you’re depriving that person of a whole aspect of their character.”
Ben enthuses, “I’m interested in being a personal trainer, as well as fitness and nutrition. I’m interested in painting, plumbing and selling insurance. I could do that as well!”
