Biography
Who is Jessica Marais?
Early life and education
Jessica Marais was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her family moved several times during her childhood, living in both Canada and New Zealand before settling in Perth, Western Australia, when she was nine years old. Her father, an economist and diplomat, died from a heart attack shortly after the family arrived in Australia. She was raised by her mother, Karen, who worked as a schoolteacher.
For her education, she attended John XXIII College in Claremont for one year. She later transferred to St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls located in Mosman Park. She went on to study at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. While training there, she appeared in stage productions including Hamlet and Sweet Charity. She graduated from the institute in 2007.
Rise to television fame
While still completing her final year at drama school, she secured the role of Rachel Rafter in the Seven Network comedy drama Packed to the Rafters. The series became a significant ratings success in Australia, often drawing millions of viewers each week. Her performance as Rachel Rafter brought her several accolades, including the Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent in 2009.
She stayed with the show from its premiere in 2008 until 2012, making cameo appearances in later episodes. During this period, she also took on the role of Mord'Sith Mistress Denna in the American fantasy series Legend of the Seeker, which was filmed in New Zealand. This role required her to perform specific fight scenes and wear a custom costume designed to match the character from the source books.
International and Australian career
Following her departure from Packed to the Rafters, the actress moved to the United States to pursue further work. She was cast in the Starz drama series Magic City, set in 1959 Miami. She worked alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Danny Huston for two seasons. In 2014, she performed in the play Così at the La Boite Theatre Building in Brisbane.
Upon returning to Australia, she portrayed the entertainer Carlotta in a biographical telefilm for ABCTV. Later in 2014, she took a lead role in the Nine Network drama Love Child, playing Dr Joan Millar. She also starred in the Network 10 series The Wrong Girl starting in 2016. In 2018, she stepped away from planned projects including Halifax: Retribution and Back to the Rafters, citing personal reasons and health challenges.
Personal life and family
Jessica Marais was engaged to her former Packed to the Rafters co-star James Stewart in 2009. The couple, who share one child, ended their five-year engagement in 2015. She has been open about her experiences with depression and bipolar disorder.
In 2020, she worked at a café in Sydney following a period away from screen acting. Her mother, Karen, passed away that same year. In 2022, she relocated to Perth, where she currently resides in the home that previously belonged to her mother. She maintains connections with extended family members who live in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Birthday and age
Jessica Marais was born on January 29, 1985, which makes Jessica 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Jessica shares the date with 32 other famous people.
Explore more
