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Jessica Marais

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Jessica Marais
Born
Jessica Dominique Marais

(1985-01-29) 29 January 1985 (age 39)
Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
Nationality
  • South African
  • Australian
EducationNational Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA)
OccupationActress
Years active2008–2020
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
PartnerJames Stewart (2009–2015)
Children1

Jessica Dominique Marais (born 29 January 1985[citation needed]) is a South African-born Australian actress. She is best known for her roles in Australian television. Her accolades include 5 Logie Awards and 9 nominations, as well as 2 Equity Ensemble Awards nominations.[1]

Marais, a National Institute of Dramatic Art graduate, landed a breakout role as Rachel Rafter in the Seven Network comedy drama series, Packed to the Rafters (2008-2013). In 2012-2013, she co-starred in the American drama series, Magic City on Starz. She later starred in the Nine Network drama series, Love Child (2013-2017) and the Network 10 drama series, The Wrong Girl (2016-2017).

Early life

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Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Marais grew up in Benoni.[2] The family left South Africa when she was three years-old, living in Canada and New Zealand.[2] They eventually settled in Perth in Western Australia, when Marais was nine years-old.[2] Her father, a university dean, diplomat and economist, took up a post at the University of Western Australia.[2] Six months after arriving in Australia, Marais's father Tony died from a heart attack while returning from a family picnic. Marais and her younger sister Clara were raised by their schoolteacher mother Karen.[3][4] Marais later said: "So my mum and my sister and I were accidental Australians because we moved here for his job and then we were sort of marooned, but mum loved Perth, it was such a safe place to bring two little girls."[3]

She attended a Catholic co-educational school John XXIII College in Claremont for a year, before transferring to St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls in Mosman Park.[5][6]

Marais attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art where she graduated in 2007. NIDA appearances included Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Charity in Sweet Charity. While still completing her final year she won the role in Packed to the Rafters, along with co-star and fellow NIDA graduate Hugh Sheridan.[7]

Career

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Marais was attending NIDA when she was cast in the role of Rachel Rafter on the television comedy drama series Packed to the Rafters. She went on to earn several accolades for the role. In 2009, she won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for her role, beating Margot Robbie and also won the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer.[8] She was nominated for the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress in 2010 and 2011, losing out to her screen-mother Rebecca Gibney and Asher Keddie.[8] The show was a ratings success in Australia, garnering 2 million viewers each week.[9]

In February 2011 it was announced that Marais had left the show, with her final episode airing on 23 August 2011.[10] Marais starred in the series from Season One until Season Four from 2008 to 2012. Marais made cameo appearances in the final episode of season 4 on 20 March 2012 and in the series finale on 2 July 2013.

Marais also starred in Rai Fazio's film Two Fists, One Heart with fellow Perth actor Tim Minchin and Daniel Amalm which was released in March 2009.[11] Marais guest-starred in the American series, Legend of the Seeker filmed in Auckland New Zealand, playing the role of the Mord'Sith Mistress Denna.

After departing Packed to the Rafters, Marais relocated to the United States to pursue acting opportunities stateside. Marais was cast in Magic City, a Starz drama series created by Mitch Glazer and set in 1959 Miami, Florida, in the wake of the Cuban Revolution. Marais starred alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Danny Huston in the series that ran for two seasons.[12][13]

In 2014, Marais starred in a new production of Così by Australian playwright Louis Nowra and directed by David Berthold at La Boite Theatre Building in Brisbane.[14] Natalie Bochenski praised Marais in her Sydney Morning Herald review: "She gives Julie vulnerability without being overwrought, and also puts a great spin on her second character, Lewis' self-righteous radical girlfriend Lucy."[15]

After relocating back to Australia, Marais portrayed Australian transgender entertainer and activist Carlotta in a biographic telefilm for ABCTV Australia.[16] Its worldwide premiere was on 19 June 2014. It was the No. 10 show of the night, and nationally won its timeslot with 811,000 viewers.[17] Also in 2014, Marais had the lead role on Channel Nine's Love Child, where she played the character Dr Joan Millar. She has since appeared on all four seasons of this show.

Since 2016, Marais had the lead role in Channel Ten's drama The Wrong Girl. Marais was nominated for the Gold Logie in 2017 and 2018.

Marais in 2018 took a step back from acting to look after her mental health, this included withdrawing from Channel 9's Halifax Retribution and also withdrawing from Amazon's Back to the Rafters for personal reasons.[18][19][20]

Her most recent screen appearance was in the 2020 film, Chasing Wonders.[21]

Personal life

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Marais was engaged to former Packed to the Rafters co-star James Stewart in 2009.[22] However, in May 2015 Marais announced that she and Stewart had ended their 5-year engagement amicably.[23]

Marais and Stewart have a daughter together born in May 2012. Marais was reported as saying she would return to work filming the second series of Magic City while Stewart would be the baby's full-time caregiver.[24]

Marais as of 2020 had stepped back from acting and was working at a café in Sydney.[25] Her mother, Karen died in 2020.[26] Marais relocated to Perth in 2022. She lives in Mosman Park, having moved into the home of her late mother, Karen.[27]

Marais still has family living in her native South Africa, whom she visits. Her family live in Cape Town, Durban and across the border in Zimbabwe.[2]

Filmography

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Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Two Fists, One Heart Kate
2010 Needle Kandi
2013 Planes Rochelle Voice role (Australian and New Zealand dub)
2015 That Sugar Film "Actor" Documentary film
2020 Chasing Wonders Janine
Television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2008–2012, 2013 Packed to the Rafters Rachel Rafter Main role (seasons 1–4); guest role (season 6)
2009–2010 Legend of the Seeker Mistress Denna 4 episodes
2012–2013 Magic City Lily Diamond Main role
2014–2017 Love Child Joan Millar Main role
2014 Carlotta Carlotta Television film
2016–2017 The Wrong Girl Lily Woodward Lead role; also co-producer
2016 Have You Been Paying Attention? Herself Guest Quiz Master

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2009 Logie Awards Most Popular New Female Talent Packed to the Rafters (Season 1) Won [28]
Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer Won
2010 Most Popular Actress Packed to the Rafters (Season 2) Nominated [29]
2011 Packed to the Rafters (Season 3) Won [30]
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Nominated
Equity Ensemble Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Series in a Drama Series[a] Packed to the Rafters Nominated
2012 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Packed to the Rafters (Season 4) Nominated [31]
Equity Ensemble Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Series in a Drama Series[b] Packed to the Rafters Nominated
2015 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Love Child and Carlotta Nominated [32]
Most Outstanding Actress Nominated
2016 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Love Child Won [33]
2017 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Love Child and The Wrong Girl Won [34]
Most Outstanding Actress Nominated
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Shared with: Michael Caton, Ryan Corr, Rebecca Gibney, George Houvardas, Gillian Jones, Jessica Marais, Angus McLaren, James Stewart, Erik Thomson, Zoe Ventoura
  2. ^ Shared with: Michael Caton, Ryan Corr, Merridy Eastman, Rebecca Gibney, George Houvardas, Jessica Marais, Hannah Marshall, Angus McLaren, James Stewart, Erik Thomson

References

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  1. ^ Awards IMDB. Retrieved on 13 August 2024
  2. ^ a b c d e Jessica Marais and James Stewart: Our love story! Now to Love. 19 December 2010
  3. ^ a b Marais: the day my dad died and how we had to cope The West Australian. 28 October 2011
  4. ^ Byrnes, Holly (28 October 2011). "Packed To the Rafters star Jessica Marais still haunted by seeing father die". News.com.au. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  5. ^ Love Child star Jess Marais says sorry to her teachers Perth Now. 15 February 2014
  6. ^ Jessica Marais All American Speakers. Retrieved on 15 August 2024
  7. ^ "Packed to the Rafters – Channel 7 TV Show – Yahoo7 TV". Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ^ a b Golden girl: Jessica Marais’ best Logies moments Woman's Day. 20 November 2016
  9. ^ Packed to the Rafters bids a teary farewell The Guardian. 3 July 2013
  10. ^ Harris, Amy (15 February 2011). "Packed to the Rafters losing Jessica Marais, its brightest young star". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Two Fists, One Heart". Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  12. ^ Wait over for ex-Rafters star's sultry hotel drama The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 September 2012
  13. ^ Starz Cancels ‘Magic City’ After Two Seasons Variety. 5 August 2013
  14. ^ Packed to the Rafters stars to perform at La Boite theatre The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 December 2013
  15. ^ Cosi review: There's method in the madness at La Boite The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 2014
  16. ^ "Jessica Marais steps into Carlotta's big shoes". News.com.au. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Ratings 19 June 2014". tvtonight.com.au.
  18. ^ https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/09/17/jessica-marais-health-year-off [bare URL]
  19. ^ Knox, David (11 February 2020). "Jessica Marais out of Rafters revival | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  20. ^ Knox, David (16 September 2019). "Jessica Marais drops out of Halifax: Retribution | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  21. ^ Chasing Wonders Screen Australia. Retrieved on 14 August 2024
  22. ^ "Jessica Marais and James Stewart are engaged!". New Idea. 19 October 2010. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  23. ^ Neal, Alicia (20 May 2015). "Jessica Marais and James Stewart Split". Who. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Celeb news: First pics of Jess Marais' baby girl". Mamamia.com.au. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  25. ^ Writer, Staff. "Jessica Marais seen working at Sydney Cafe". news.com.au.
  26. ^ Jessica Marais mourning death of mother Karen as actor Hugh Sheridan offers support The West Australian. 11 August 2020
  27. ^ Where is Jessica Marais now? Her new lowkey life in Perth Woman's Day. 29 January 2024
  28. ^ "2009 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  29. ^ "2010 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  30. ^ "2011 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  31. ^ "2012 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  32. ^ "2015 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  33. ^ "2016 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  34. ^ "2017 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
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