Jessica Marais Biography

Jessica Dominique Marais (born 29 January 1985) is a South African-Australian actress best known for her roles on Australian television in Packed to the Rafters and Love Child she also co-starred on the American drama series Magic City.

Early life

Born in South Africa, Marais and her family lived in Canada and New Zealand before relocating to Perth, Western Australia, when she was nine. Six months after arriving in Australia, Marais' father Tony died from a heart attack while returning from a family picnic. Marais and her younger sister Clara were raised by her mother Karen. She attended John XXIII College for a year and then went to St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls from 1995 until her graduation in 2002.

Jessica 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.

Career

Marais was attending NIDA when she was cast in the role of Rachel Rafter on the television series Packed to the Rafters. The series became a success and was instantly renewed. On Sunday 3 May 2009, Marais won the Logie for "Most Popular New Female Talent" and the prestigious Graham Kennedy Award for "Most Outstanding New Talent" at the Logie Awards of 2009. In February 2011 it was announced that Marais had left the show, with her final episode airing on 23 August 2011. Marais starred in the series from Season One until Season Four from 2008-2012. 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. Marais guest-starred in the American series, Legend of the Seeker filmed in Auckland New Zealand, playing the role of the Mord'Sith Denna.

After departing Packed to the Rafters, Marais relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood. Marais then headed to Miami, to film US drama, Magic City. The series lasted two seasons.

After re-locating back to Australia, Marais portrayed Australian transgender entertainer and activist Carlotta in an biographic telefilm for ABCTV Australia. Its worldwide premiere was on 19 June 2014. It was the #10 show of the night, and nationally won its timeslot with 811,000 viewers.

Personal life

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

Marais and Stewart have a daughter together named Scout Edie Stewart, born on 9 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.

Filmography

Film and television roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2008	Two Fists, One Heart	Kate	Film
2008-12, 2013	Packed to the Rafters	Rachel Rafter	Main role (seasons 1-4); guest role (season 6); 76 episodes
2009-10	Legend of the Seeker	Denna	4 episodes
2010	Fish Lips	Audrey - adult	Short film
2010	Needle	Kandi	Film
2012-13	Magic City	Lily Diamond	Main role; 16 episodes
2014-present	Love Child	Joan Millar	Main role
2014	Carlotta	Carlotta	Television film
2016-present	The Wrong Girl	Lily Woodward	Main role