We first encountered actress Ashley Monique Harper in the early days of Tyler Perry's "The Oval," where she portrayed Jean, a White House staffer. Harper’s path to this role was rooted in her childhood passions. Growing up in the Philly/South Jersey area, she was captivated by both acting and tennis. These dual interests led her to pursue tennis at a collegiate level, attending Morgan State University and St. John’s on a tennis scholarship. After college, she transitioned into radio before ultimately diving into television and film auditions.

On "The Oval," Jean was the kind-hearted and somewhat naive housekeeper who tragically met her end at the hands of the psychotic first son, Jason Franklin. Viewers were shocked by her murder, a turning point in the series, as Jean’s character had a unique insight into the White House’s dark secrets and could have provided critical intel.

While characters come and go in the world of acting, the real-life career moves on, and so has Ashley Monique Harper. Since her time on "The Oval," she’s been balancing her passion for acting with her love for tennis. Here are four notable projects she’s been involved in over the years:

The Mels

In 2021, Harper starred in the web series "The Mels," a coming-of-age sci-fi dramedy. The story follows three Black theater girls who, through their shared love of the performing arts at a conservatory, embark on a Narnia-like journey. Along the way, they uncover profound truths about themselves and the power of sisterhood.

Aurora: A Love Story

This runaway bride mystery, streaming on Starz and Amazon Prime, begins with a bride’s sudden disappearance on her wedding day, unraveling a web of secrets, scandal, and betrayal.

RSVP

In this thriller streaming on BET+, an aspiring author finds herself at a deadly dinner party where the host harbors malicious intentions. She must rely on her martial arts skills and quick thinking to survive the night.

Living Life and Tennis

When she’s not on set, Harper remains deeply involved in tennis, a sport she’s never left behind. Recently, she teased on Instagram about an upcoming project that merges her love for tennis with television. Though she’s keeping the details under wraps, it’s clear that this project is something she’s been developing herself, and it’s coming soon.