Rita Santos is a major supporting character in Mako Mermaids. She is portrayed by Kerith Atkinson. At first glance, Rita seems to be the totally normal land person. But she has a secret: she's actually a mermaid, born at the Great Barrier Reef.
History[]
Rita used to swim with the pod off Mako Island but fell in love with a land person, Harry. She used to sneak off and get legs to spend time with him- until the pod discovered what she was up to. She became a pariah. So Rita made the decision to leave the pod and forged a life for herself with Harry among the land people.
Although Harry passed away, Rita has been successful on land and is now the principal of the local high school. She has survived and protected her true identity by keeping a somewhat cool and distant outer image.
Although a bit lonely sometimes, Rita has more or less adapted to her life.
Season 1[]
That is until three young mermaids turn up and ask help. Rita is torn- she gave up mermaid life, and she doesn't want three reckless young mermaids blowing her cover, but Rita can't turn them away. As she becomes their mermaid mentor and guide, Rita discovers that although there are complications, the mermaids bring companionship and laughter back into her life. Though she truly loved being a mermaid, she still refused Lyla's offer to return home and become one of the pod again, stating that her life now was on land.
Season 2[]
Rita's usual role is to provide knowledge and wisdom on magic whenever the merpeople need it and does not usually get involved in their adventures. The one exception is in “Reunion" when her ex friend at the time Veridia, reveals her intentions to deal with Zac personally when she learns he has unlocked a merman chamber. Fearing for Zac's life, Rita follows her and threatens Veridia with her own powers when she nearly attacks Zac. Rita and Veridia make amends after Veridia realizes that Rita was right about Zac being a friend and that some land people can be trusted, even agreeing with her when Rita expresses hope that one day the world of land and sea will become one.
Season 3[]
Rita takes in Weilan and lets her go to to her school. Rita later quit her job as Principal of Suncoast High and decided to go back to the pod. Now Rita teaches at mermaid school, replacing Ondina in her position while maintaining residence on land.
Powers[]
Rita possesses the ability to transform into a mermaid ten seconds after physical contact of water. She turns back into a human a few minutes after she is out of the water and when the water on her has fully dried. Once her body is completely dry, her human form reverts back to what she appeared to be before her mermaid transformation.
Speed Swimming[]
Rita has the ability to swim at super speed of 600km/h, hold their breath for more than fifteen minutes, and possibly dive at a depth lower than any ordinary human being.
Invisibility Detection[]
Rita used this ability to see Zac while he was in her office stealing the test for Evie. She used a hand motion and then she was able to see Zac while he was invisible via liquid water.
Atmokinesis[]
When teaching the girls how to control the weather in "Battlelines", she uses this power to make a storm in a jar.
Electrokinesis[]
When teaching the girls how to control the weather in "Battlelines", she uses this power when she made a storm in a jar.
Volume Reduction[]
Rita used this power to shrink a lemon.
Hydrokinesis[]
In "Age Before Beauty", Rita made a water ball that made a huge fireworks display at the end of the episode.
Trivia[]
- She has a pet cat named Poseidon.
- Harry died before they got married, although it is unknown how Harry died.[1]
- Rita is the only mermaid seen using the power to reveal invisible merpeople.
- Rita wears tortoiseshell jewelry.[2]
- She is often seen wearing a seahorse necklace.
- Rita loves lobster and seafood.
- In her home, Rita has many magic potions.
- Rita was one of the only people to know about Nerissa's son and Vision Sharing.[3]
- Rita was in mermaid school with Veridia were very close before Rita left the pod.[4]
- She seemed have made her own potion for mermaids to cure the common cold.[5]
- She was competing with the head of the mermaid pod years ago in mermaid school.
- Rita was the better one to use her powers.
- Rita doesn't want to go back to the pod, however, by the end of season 3 she quits her job and goes back to the pod, while also maintaining her residence on land.[6]
- She teaches hatchlings at mermaid school after Ondina gave up her job.
Gallery[]
The image gallery for Rita may be viewed here.