Kaiya Jones (born 19 March 1996) is a Scottish-born Australian actress best known for playing the role of Sophie Ramsay in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[1] She previously played Jess Cooper in the third series of The Saddle Club. Jones wrote and directed a short film called Coping, which was screened at Tropfest in 2013. In 2014, she joined the cast of Party Tricks.
Kaiya Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1996-03-19) 19 March 1996 (age 26) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2008–present |
Jones was born in Glasgow, Scotland but moved to Australia with her parents in 2005.[2] Jones studied at Preshil.[3] Her hobbies include acting, writing screenplays and stories, as well as writing her own songs and playing the guitar.[4] Jones is also a supporter of the Australian Orangutan Project which raises funds to support the protection and conservation of orangutans.[5]
Jones played the role of Jess Cooper in The Saddle Club from 2008 to 2009.[6] In February 2009, it was announced Jones had been cast as Sophie Ramsay in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[7][8] Jones began filming her first scenes with Neighbours in the same month.[8] Of her casting, Jones told Samantha Booth of the Daily Record, "Filming Neighbours is so much fun. I just love my job and wouldn't want to be doing anything else. The cast and crew are so kind and lovely. They are practically my second family now. They're also very patient".[8]
On 26 November 2012, it was announced that Jones would be leaving Neighbours. She made her screen exit the following year.[9] In 2013, Jones made a guest appearance as Poppy in an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.[3] Jones has written and directed a short film called Coping, which focuses on three orphaned children who move in with their uncle.[10] Coping was one of 16 films selected to screen at Tropfest on 8 December 2013.[10] Jones was named Best Female Actor at the festival.[11] In 2014 Jones was cast in the miniseries Party Tricks.[3]
In 2017, Jones wrote and directed a short film called Jolly Roger which was shown at the St Kilda Film Festival on 22 May 2017.[12]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | The Saddle Club | Jess Cooper | 26 episodes |
| 2009–14 | Neighbours | Sophie Ramsay | Regular role |
| 2013 | Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries | Poppy | Episode: "Marked for Murder" |
| 2013 | Coping | Abigail | Short film Tropfest Award for Best Female Actor Writer and director |
| 2014 | Party Tricks | Matilda McLeod | Miniseries |
| 2017 | Jolly Roger | Short film Writer and director | |