Controversial Married At First Sight groom Ryan Donnelly has announced a shock career change amid reports he has been unable to find work following the reality TV show’s completion.

Controversial Married At First Sight groom Ryan Donnelly has shocked fans as he debuted his latest acting gig.

It’s understood the project manager, 36, has pursued acting amid reports he is unable to find work after Nine’s reality hit finished airing in April.

On Sunday, the reality star took to Instagram Stories to share a photo of himself dressed as a police officer for a new role.

Ryan looked every inch the real-life cop, complete with his faux attire that included a badge, patches, a blue shirt, and a bulletproof vest.

“We on,” he wrote, along with a screenshot notifying his 19,000 followers his account has been verified with a blue badge.

MAFS fan account mafsgossip quickly reshared the new gig along with two other of Ryan’s past dress-ups.

He could be seen rocking a 70’s moustache in one, while the other showed him posing with claws and a white tank top at a festival.

Fans flocked to the comments section to say the MAFS star was well suited to the force.

“He actually suits it,” one person said.

“Suits you. It’s never too late to join the police force,” another person said.

It’s not the first time the aspiring actor has stunned fans by posing as an officer.

In March, one fan took to social media to point out Ryan’s cameo appearance in the new BINGE Original Series The Last Anniversary.

“Just watching new series on BINGE, is this who I think it is? It’s called The Last Anniversary,” they wrote, along with a screenshot of the star.

Ryan has played a police officer for a previous role. Picture: Instagram

Ryan’s police costume. Picture: Instagram
The Last Anniversary, based on the book of the same title by author Liane Moriarty, is executive produced by Australian A-lister Nicole Kidman.

The Campbelltown groom can be seen around 20 minutes into episode one, sporting a white shirt and muli-coloured jacket in an office scene.

Ryan confirmed to Yahoo Lifestyle he played a “simple police officer guarding the star patient in that episode”.

“Always amazing fun on sets like those,” he said.

The role on BINGE isn’t Ryan’s first, as he has previously starred in Neighbours and NCIS: Sydney.

The 36-year-old also appeared briefly on Nine’s Beauty and the Geek in 2022.

Earlier this year, he was spotted on the streets of Sydney acting in a major upcoming Hollywood horror film starring American actor Dylan O’Brien.

Ryan could be seen strutting across a footpath dressed in a corporate navy blue suit, white shirt and tie for the gig.

He was clean-shaven and completed the look with a carry bag and a pair of shiny black dress shoes.

Ryan’s tumultuous relationship with his on-screen wife Jacqui Burfoot dominated season 12 as the pair frequently fought and made up over seemingly mundane details like having a TV in the couple’s bedroom.

Ryan was a groom on MAFS season 12. Picture: Instagram

Ryan’s on-screen wife Jacqui Burfoot (pictured) raised several concerns about his financial skills. Picture: Instagram
Jacqui also raised several concerns about Ryan’s financial skills and his ability to contribute to their future family.

The Kiwi bride suggested his career choice might not be “enough” financially.

She later took to TikTok to clarify she raised the concerns about his acting ambitions, not his salary as a project manager.

Ryan and Jacqui’s rows spilled over into court around the time they dramatically ended their union at Final Vows in April.

In March, Jacqui obtained an interim restraining order against Ryan, which prevented him from commenting on social media about her.

Ryan subsequently applied for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) against her.

The matter was heard at Campbelltown Court House in April.

Magistrate Shane McAnulty told the court he was unwilling to grant the order in Jacqui’s absence and asked the parties to prepare submissions for the matter to return to court on Tuesday, June 24.