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Behind the scenes

Go an exclusive tour with the Packed to the Rafter's cast

Meet Ben Rafter

We chat to the cheeky Hugh Sheridan

Down load Jessica’s signed Fan card.

Packed to the Rafters will mark the television debut for Jessica Marais.

The 24-year-old auditioned for the role of Rachel Rafter during her final year at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). “We got told about the audition and I treated it like a learning experience,” she says.

“I read the scenes and immediately identified with the writing. I thought even if I don’t get the role, I’m glad I got a chance to meet the people involved – they were really energised about the project and it made it really exciting.”

Winning the role was a proud moment for Jessica, who relished the opportunity to be part of such a talented acting ensemble.

“When I got the call back, I thought, ‘Wow they’re considering me seriously,’” she recalls. “I was so drawn to Rachel – her courage, strength and humour. The creative team was so fantastic that I couldn’t wait to get on board.”

Originally born in South Africa, Jessica and her family also lived in Canada and New Zealand before relocating to Perth when she was nine.

While she’s the first member of her family to pursue an acting career, her parents cultivated a supportive creative environment for her and her sister.

“I come from a family that was really nurturing of the arts,” Jessica says. “My parents both adored music, film and theatre. So I was brought up with it all around me. That infused my hunger for it.” A born performer, Jessica remembers putting on plays in the backyard and performing shows at dinner parties.

After completing drama and speech classes in primary school, the role of Wendy in a Year 7 production of Peter Pan cemented her desire to perform. “Every time I watched a film or saw a great piece of theatre, I yearned to be involved in it.”

Jessica performed a number of plays with the Midnight Youth Theatre Company in Perth and several school productions before graduating high school. She then began an Arts degree at the University of Western Australia, majoring in history, before venturing to Sydney to audition for NIDA.

With past graduates including Judy Davis, Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette, the three-year course was hugely beneficial to the aspiring actress. “It was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I’ve done with my life,” she says. “Apart from learning how to be a better actor, I learnt a lot about myself. It taught me great work ethics and stamina.”

Jessica performed in many NIDA student theatre productions, including the title role in the 2007 Graduation Production of Sweet Charity. Her standout performance earned her rave reviews and won her a GLUG Award for Young Performer of the Year. The role required her to sing and dance; skills that come naturally to the talented performer. She sang in a band throughout high school and studied dance – ballet, modern and hip-hop – until she was 16.

After graduating from NIDA, she completed her first feature film Two Fists One Heart in Perth, a film based on the life of boxer Rai Fazio.

While at NIDA, she became instant friends with fellow student Hugh Sheridan, who now plays her on-screen brother Ben. “We were inseparable throughout NIDA,” she says. “So to be working as brother and sister is very comforting. He’s like my brother in real life.”

During her recent production break, Jessica guest starred as dominatrix Denna in the US sci-fi series Legend of the Seeker. Filmed on location in New Zealand, it’s the brainchild of acclaimed American director Sam Raimi.