Packed To The Rafters kick-started the careers of many of our favourite young Aussie actors and actresses.
Jessica Marais has gone on to star in The Wrong Girl and Love Child while her co-star and former partner James Stewart has gone on to star in Home And Away.
Meanwhile Eric Thomson (Dave Rafter) now leads the cast of 800 Words and his former on-screen wife Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter) recently starred in the second season of Wanted.
We thought it was about time that we check in with the whole Rafters fam and see what everyone’s been up to.
Jessica Marais as Rachel Rafter
In 2012 and 2013, Jess had a part in the US series Magic City, set in 1959 at Miami’s most famous hotel, the ‘Miramar Playa’. Jess relocated to Miami for the role, which saw her playing Lily Diamond, the trophy wife of a big mob boss. Then in 2014, Jess won her biggest role yet, starring in the highly acclaimed 1960s drama Love Child. Audiences quickly fell in love with the 32-year-old’s character Dr Joan Millar, a compassionate obstetrician working at the Kings Cross hospital. The show has now been cancelled.
Jess also starred in two seasons of The Wrong Girl as Lily, a television producer who falls for her best friend’s boyfriend.
Rebecca Gibney as Julie Rafter
Rebecca has been one busy bee since playing mum Julie. The 2009 Gold Logie winner worked on several feature films, appearing alongside Toni Collette in the 2012 comedy Mental, before a cameo in The Dressmaker in 2015. Rebecca, 51, also produced and starred in the gritty crime drama The Killing Field in 2013, which then had a follow-up series called Winter. In the 2015 miniseries Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, Rebecca played Peter’s mother, Marion, before co-creating and starring in the fast-paced drama series Wanted.
Erik Thomson as Dave Rafter
Following Rafters Eric enjoyed some time out of the limelight, only appearing in a few episodes on the 2014 drama The Code, before landing the main part on the hit dramedy 800 Words in 2015. It was a series created specifically with him in mind, and in addition to starring as protagonist George Turner, Erik was also appointed associate producer for the show. This meant that Erik had a major role in all aspects of production – from location scouting, to auditioning other cast members. The show has been pulling high ratings since it first aired, and last year Erik took home the Logie for Best Actor.
Hugh Sheridan as Ben Rafter
The three-time Most Popular Actor Logie winner hosted the short-lived talent show I Will Survive in 2012, and then played band member Garry Gary Beers in the 2014 telemovie INXS: Never Tear Us Apart. Hugh then decided to focus on his music career, forming singing group The California Crooners Club, with two of his friends. This year, Hugh joined the cast of House Husbands playing the role of school music teacher, Nick.
Jessica McNamee as Sammy Rafter
Jessica hit Hollywood after leaving Packed To The Rafters. She scored a role in the 2012 romance The Vow, starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, and also landed a main role in the US TV series Sirens. Jessica has recently worked on the action comedy film CHiPs alongside Adam Brody and Dax Shepard, as well as the dramedy Battle Of The Sexes, with Emma Stone and Steve Carrell.
Michael Caton as Ted Taylor
Michael starred in the 2015 film Last Cab To Darwin. Michael played the lead character Rex, and told the poignant true story about a lonely taxi driver who embarks on a life-changing journey after he discovers he is dying of stomach cancer. The film was awarded two AACTA’s in 2015 for Best Lead Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
James Stewart as Jake Barton
It’s been a big last few years for James, with a role in the miniseries Gallipoli, and the lead in the first season of ABC drama Hiding. In 2016 he played the menacing Colonel in the TV version of Tomorrow When The War Began, and (lucky for us!) he then joined the cast of Home And Away as the eldest Morgan brother, Justin.
George Houvardas as Nick “Carbo” Karandonis
George came late to acting, but he quickly stole Australia’s heart as the lovable Carbo. Sadly, George called it quits once he finished up with Packed To The Rafters. He now co-owns and works at his family’s successful Greek restaurant ‘Piato’, in McMahons Point, Sydney, and trains for marathons.
Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings
Ryan is without a doubt one of Australia’s hardest-working actors. In 2016 he was nominated for a Logie for his work on the TV period drama, Banished. He also gained accolades for his performance in the emotionally-charged 2015 film Holding The Man, and was a fan favourite in Love Child. He reunited with co-star Rebecca Gibney on Wanted early in 2016, before appearing in the compelling sci-fi drama Cleverman. This year, he played John ‘Strop’ Cornell in the Paul Hogan miniseries, Hoges.
Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon
In 2014 she played the role of police Agent Walker in the Aussie action movie Drive Hard. Zoe also had a major role in Channel Nine’s crime drama Hyde And Seek, alongside Matt Nable, Deborra-Lee Furness, Mandy McElhinney and Emma Hamilton. Most recently, Zoe has worked on Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso
After Packed To The Rafters, Brooke played uptight lawyer Grace Barnes for two years in popular Aussie dramedy Wonderland. She also appeared in the hilarious Black Comedy. For a change of pace, Brooke also tried her hand at theatre last year, performing in the witty comedy Jack Of Hearts at the Ensemble Theatre. Most recently, Brooke has appeared in the Australian film, What If It Works?
