Having an after-school job isn’t unusual for our senior cohort, however there’s one student in particular who takes the cake when it comes to cool places to work.

Fifteen-year-old Athena Matthews isn’t instantly recognisable as Joy Diaz on Shortland Street. The talented young actor wears her hair back and dons glasses to portray the “shy and sort of nerdy” character. “I guess Joy and I are similar as we are both young teenagers and know what’s right and wrong,” says Athena. “We aren’t afraid to speak our minds when needed. She loves science and also believes that religion isn’t for her despite her mother’s best efforts.”

Athena has been playing the role, daughter of nurse Madonna Diaz, since October last year. Her acting agent encouraged her to audition, and she was delighted to be selected for New Zealand’s longest running tv drama.

Athena says playing Joy is a lot of fun. “At times I might forget a line or two, but the studio crew are always nice and we just reshoot the scene. I love meeting new actors and familiar actors because they are all so nice and friendly. I love that I made a couple of new friends when I started acting on Shortland Street.”

She particularly enjoys scenes with her onscreen mum, played by Marianne Infante (pictured top). “On screen we are just like your typical mother and daughter. On and off set we get along very well and she’s like an older sister to me. She’s very nice and we usually spend time together making TikToks.”

Shortland Street is Athena’s first venture into the world of television acting, aside from an advert for KFC. It’s sparked a desire to do more acting gigs “when I’m older and more experienced”.

You can catch this talented young actor week nights on TV2.