- Packed to the Rafters
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Packed to the Rafters 
Opening Title CardFormat Drama Created by Bevan Lee Starring Rebecca Gibney
Erik Thomson
Hugh Sheridan
Angus McLaren
George Houvardas
James Stewart
Ryan Corr
and Michael Caton as Ted Taylor
featuring John Howard as Tom JenningsCountry of origin Australia Language(s) English No. of seasons 4 No. of episodes 81 (List of episodes) Production Executive producer(s) John Holmes Producer(s) Jo Porter Running time 60 Minutes (including commercials) Broadcast Original channel Seven Network Picture format 576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)Audio format Stereo Original run 26 August 2008 – present External links Website Packed to the Rafters is an Australian family-orientated television series which premiered on the Seven Network on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 8:30 pm. The drama series features a mix of lighthearted comedy woven through the plot. It revolves around the Rafter family facing work pressures and life issues, whilst also tackling serious social issues. The Logie award winning series was the highest rating to screen on the Seven Network in 2008 with an average audience of 1,939,000 viewers tuning into each episode.[1]
Production of the fourth season started on 22 October 2010 and returned on 8 February 2011. The show was put on hiatus on 22 March 2011, and was replaced by Seven Network drama, Winners & Losers. The series was expected to return in either June or July 2011, but new episodes had yet to air.[2] The series returned 23 August 2011.[3] The series will take another hiatus from 25 October 2011 and will return February 2012.[4][5]
Packed to the Rafters has been renewed for a fifth season with production to begin in October 2011.[6]
Contents
Plot
The series centres around the characters Dave and Julie Rafter and their three children Rachel, Ben and Nathan. On the eve of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary the couple thinks that they are finally about to have the house to themselves. But home is a very welcome refuge for their children and when unforeseen problems loom, they return like a boomerang. After Dave faces unemployment, Julie's father suffers a panic attack, son Nathan and daughter-in-law Sammy need a place to stay, daughter Rachel leaves her abusive boyfriend Daniel, and son Ben moves next door but continues to drop in, the household is 'packed to the rafters'.[7]
Cast
Main
Name Portrayed by Episode Duration Seasons 1 2 3 4 5 Julie Rafter Rebecca Gibney Pilot - present Main Dave Rafter Erik Thomson Pilot - present Main Rachel Rafter Jessica Marais Pilot - Sweet Sorrow Main Nathan Rafter Angus McLaren Pilot - present Main Ben Rafter Hugh Sheridan Pilot - present Main Sammy Rafter Jessica McNamee Pilot - Rites of Passage Main Nick "Carbo" Karandonis George Houvardas Pilot - present Recurring Main Melissa Bannon-Rafter Zoe Ventoura Pilot - Rest in Peace Recurring Main Jake Barton James Stewart Living by the List - present Recurring Main Coby Jennings Ryan Corr Unlimited Options - present Recurring Main Ted Taylor Michael Caton Pilot - present Main Current recurring and guest cast
Actor Role Duration Gillian Jones Rachel "Chel" Warne Season 2–present Sophia Katos Artie Season 2–present Dina Panozzo Rita Karandonis Season 1–present Justin Rosniak Stuart "Warney" Warne Season 1-present Emily and Ruby Langley Ruby Rafter Season 2–present Mercia Deane-Johns Grace Barton Season 2–present Kristian Schmid Alex Barton Season 2–present Denise Roberts Bonnie Bright Season 2–present Phoebe Tonkin Lexi Season 2–present Michael Booth George Spiteri Season 1–present Brenna Harding Georgia Season 3–present John Howard Tom Jennings Season 3–present Hannah Marshall Loretta 'Retta' Schembri Season 3–present Camille Keenan Bree Jennings Season 4-present Zoe Cramond Emma Mackey Season 4-present Merridy Eastman Donna Mackey Season 4-present Former recurring and guest cast
Actor Role Duration Caroline Brazier Chrissy Merchant Season 1– Season 2 Sarah Chadwick Trish Westaway Season 1 – Season 3 Kate Fitzpatrick Marjorie Stevens Season 1 – Season 2 Luke Pegler Daniel Griggs Season 1 – 2008–2009, Season 2, ep 18 Jerome Ehlers Anthony Westaway Season 1 – 2008–2009 George Spartels Theo Karandonis Season 1 – 2009 Ria Vandervis Layla Soubrani Season 2 – 2009 Geoff Morrell Tim Connelly Season 2 – 2009 Peter Bensley Derek Season 1 – Season 3 Roy Billing Ron Barrett Season 1 – 2008–2009 Christian Barratt-Hill Don Barrett Season 2 – 2009 Pedro Virgil Dane Season 2 – 2009 Belinda Bromilow Libby Sanders Season 1 - Season 3 Craig McLachlan Steve Wilson Season 1 - Season 2 Upcoming cast
Actor Role Beginning Reference Brooke Satchwell TBA TBC [8] Production
The producer is Jo Porter, who alongside series creator Bevan Lee and writer Antony Ellis are part of the same team responsible for the critically acclaimed series Always Greener, which also set ratings records.
The exterior shots of the Rafter house are filmed on location in Concord.[9] Most of the other exterior shots are filmed at locations in Southern Sydney including establishing shots at Oatley shopping centre and the Captain Cook Bridge. The dinner venue in episode 1 was filmed at the St George Motor Boat Club at Sans Souci but the indoor scenes in the Chinese Restaurant were a set.[10][11] The cricket match in episode 2 was filmed at Morrisons Park, Putney. The shopping centre, beach and park scenes in episode 5 were shot in Carss Park. Julie's 'Night Club' scenes were shot near to Concord, at the Epping Hotel.
DVD and Blu-ray releases
DVD Season Format #
Episodes#
Disc(s)Region 4 Special Features The Complete
Season 1DVD 22 6 December 2, 2009[12] - O-Ring packaging
- Behind the scenes look at the show
- Cast Interviews
Blu-ray N/A The Complete
Season 2DVD 22 6 November 3, 2010[13][14] - O-Ring packaging
Blu-ray The Complete
Season 3DVD 22 6 April 20, 2011[15] - Interview with Hugh Sheridan & Zoe Ventoura about her character Mel's tragic death
- Interviews with the cast discussing Season 3 storylines
Blu-ray N/A Season 4:
Part 1DVD 11 3 November 3, 2011[16] - Bon Voyage Rachel Rafter: The cast farewell a favourite character
- The Bachelor Pad: James Stewart and Ryan Corr shed some light on bachelor living
- Frenemies: Rebecca Gibney and Merridy Eastman give an insight into their surprising friendship
- Moving On: Hugh Sheridan and Zoe Crammond talk about life after Mel
- Extended Family: Camille Keenan introduces the newest member of the family, Bree Jennings
- The Secret: George Houvardas and Hannah Marshall chat about love, marriage and the secret
Blu-ray N/A Season 4:
Part 2DVD 11 3 2012 N/A Blu-ray N/A Soundtrack
Volume 1
Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack 
Soundtrack album by Various Artists Released AUS: 29 November 2008 Length 55:44 Language English Label Warner Music Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack[17] was released on 29 November 2008. It has peaked at #7 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. It has since gone Platinum, selling in excess of 70,000 copies. The songs "I'm Yours" and "Rock & Roll" have been heavily used in promotional advertising for the series.
Track listing
- Jason Mraz – "I'm Yours"
- Gabriella Cilmi – "Sweet About Me"
- Josh Pyke – "Memories and Dust"
- Ben Lee – "Love Me Like the World Is Ending"
- Kahn Brothers – "Stronger Together"
- Lisa Mitchell – "Neopolitan Dreams"
- The Cat Empire – "Fishies"
- Old Man River – "La"
- José González – "Down the Line"
- James Reyne – "Reckless"
- Alex Lloyd – "Same Day"
- Lior – "Burst Your Bubble"
- Jenny Morris – "Street of Love"
- Mark Sholtez – "Love Me for the Cool"
- Abby Dobson – "It's Only Love"
- Eric Hutchinson – "Rock & Roll"
Volume 2
Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack Volume 2 Soundtrack album by Various Artists Released AUS: 18 September 2009 Language English Label Warner Music Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack Volume 2 was released on 18 September 2009. It has peaked at #30 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.
Track listing
- Latch Key Kid – "Good Times"
- Lisa Mitchell – "Coin Laundry"
- Empire of the Sun – "We Are the People"
- Ben Lee – "Birds And Bees"
- Eric Hutchinson – "You Don't Have To Believe Me"
- Bob Evans – "Don't You Think It's Time?"
- Kylie Auldist – "Just Say"
- James Grehan – "Hold On"
- Matt Costa – "Miss Magnolia"
- Mark Sholtez – "Too Late For Heroes"
- Lior – "This Old Love"
- Whitley – "Lost In Time"
- King Curly – "Little Arrows"
- Sarah Blasko – "Perfect Now"
- Abby Dobson – "Horses"
- Rick Price – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Volume 3
Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack Volume 3 Soundtrack album by Various Artists Released AUS: 4 March 2011 Language English Label Sony Music Entertainment Packed to the Rafters: The Soundtrack Volume 3 was released on 4 March 2011.[18]
Track listing
- Uncle Kracker – "Smile"
- Olly Murs – "Please Don't Let Me Go"
- The Potbelleez – "Hello"
- Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Cherine Anderson – "Say Hey (I Love You)"
- Little Birdy – "Brother"
- Passion Pit – "Little Secrets"
- The Cat Empire – "So Many Nights"
- Kisschasy – "Generation Why"
- Sarah Blasko – "We Won't Run"
- Missy Higgins – "Warm Whispers"
- Bertie Blackman – "Thump"
- Fatboy Slim – "The Rockafeller Skank"
- Sally Seltmann – "Harmony to My Heart Beat"
- Leroy Lee – "Mountain Song"
- Mark Sholtez – "This Perfect Day"
- Angus & Julia Stone – "Hush"
- Daniel Merriweather – "Red"
- Sia – "I Go to Sleep"
- Holly Throsby – "Now I Love Someone"
- The Easybeats – "Wedding Ring"
Reception
Critical response
Packed to the Rafters has received generally positive critical response from reviewers. In reviewing the pilot, David Knox of TV Tonight underlined that whilst the series' tone was "predominantly light", 'Rafters' "also features some darker, more successful moments".[19] The Age's Jim Schembri called Rafters a "superbly sculpted series about suburban class warfare", noting that in his opinion, the series was "one of the most enjoyable, finely honed locally produced TV dramas we've seen in ages", applauding the dialogue that "crackles with wit and energy".[20] Season 2 received an equal amount of outflowing positivity, with Michael Lallo discovering that Rafters "lighthearted" tone acts as a cloak, allowing it to address controversial topics without making viewers feel they're being lectured. The result is a feel-good series that's meaty and satisfying".[21]
Of the series' characters, Michael Idato of SMH found an "elegance to the performances", going on to further applaud the "gentle, engaging, emotional dynamics" of the characters interactions with each other that also managed to both "enhance its charm and believability at the same time".[22]
Awards and nominations
In 2009 the show was nominated for eleven Logie awards and won six.
Year Nominee Award Result 2009 Packed to the Rafters Most Popular Drama Won Rebecca Gibney Gold Logie Won Rebecca Gibney Most Popular Actress Won Jessica Marais Most Popular New Female Talent Won Hugh Sheridan Most Popular New Male Talent Won Jessica Marais Most Outstanding New Talent Won Erik Thomson Most Popular Actor Nominated George Houvardas Most Popular New Male Talent Nominated Rebecca Gibney Most Outstanding Actress Nominated Packed to the Rafters Most Outstanding Drama Series Nominated Hugh Sheridan Most Outstanding New Talent Nominated 2010 Packed to the Rafters Most Popular Drama Won Rebecca Gibney Most Popular Actress Won Hugh Sheridan Most Popular Actor Won Packed to the Rafters Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie Nominated Erik Thomson Most Popular Actor Nominated Rebecca Gibney Gold Logie Nominated Jessica Marais Most Popular Actress Nominated James Stewart Most Popular New Male Talent Nominated 2011[23] Packed to the Rafters Most Popular Australian Drama Won Packed to the Rafters Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie Nominated Erik Thomson Most Popular Actor Nominated Hugh Sheridan Won Michael Caton Nominated Jessica Marais Most Popular Actress Nominated Rebecca Gibney Nominated Zoe Ventoura Nominated Ryan Corr Most Popular New Male Talent Nominated Hannah Marshall Most Popular New Female Talent Nominated Rebecca Gibney Gold Logie Nominated Jessica Marais Nominated Erik Thomson Most Outstanding Actor Nominated Hugh Sheridan Nominated Ryan Corr Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent Nominated Packed to the Rafters were nominated for 2 AFI awards in 2009.
Year Nominee Award Result 2009 Packed to the Rafters Best Drama Series Nominated Rebecca Gibney Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Nominated Episodes and ratings
Main article: List of Packed to the Rafters episodesThe average ratings for Season 1 in 2008 were 1,939,000 making it the #1 show of 2008 on Australian television. The second season of Packed to the Rafters averaged 1,881,000, ranking it as #2 for the 2009 year.[24] The program has also been picked up by Irish broadcaster RTE[25] and New Zealand's TV1 which aired the first season of Packed to the Rafters in early 2009.[26] The series has also been sold to networks in South Africa, Belgium, The Netherlands, several Scandinavian countries,[27] and Italy.
Series Ratings
The following table's ratings and rankings are subject to change as more episodes are broadcast.
Season # of Episodes Timeslot Season
PremiereSeason
FinalPeak
AudienceAverage
AudienceAverage
Nightly RankAverage
Weekly RankAverage
Yearly RankingDVD Release Date 1 22 Tuesday 8:30 pm 26 August 2008 24 March 2009 2,067,000 1,904,364 #1 #2 #1 2 December 2009 2 22 30 June 2009 24 November 2009 2,185,000 1,881,000 #1 #2 #2 3 November 2010 3 22 29 June 2010 16 November 2010 2,335,000 1,894,000 #1 #2 #1 20 April 2011 4 22 8 February 2011[28] 2012 1,943,000 1,803,000 TBD TBD TBD 3 November 2011
(Part 1)
2012
(Part 2)5 22 2012 2012 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBA Weekly ratings
Packed to the Rafters has been a solid performer in the ratings since its premiere. Most episodes have been the number one program during prime time for the night since the series premiere and the show has remained in the top ten programs of the week. In 2008, the series was the highest rating regularly broadcast show with an average of 1,939,143 viewers per episode for the first fourteen episodes of season one which screened in 2008.
Season 1: 2008–2009
Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 1)#Season RatingsSeason 2: 2009
Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 2)#Season RatingsSeason 3: 2010
Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 3)#Season RatingsSeason 4: 2011-2012
Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 4)#Season RatingsInternational distribution
Country Channel Year Notes 
Belgium (Flanders)vtm 2008 – Subtitled in Dutch 
FinlandTV Viisi 2011 - Subtitled in Finnish 
NetherlandsNET 5 2009 – Subtitled in Dutch 
IrelandRTÉ One August 2009 – Season 3 ended; season 4 coming soon 
New ZealandTV One 2009 – Wednesday 20:30 
South AfricaSET 2009 – 
Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands Television Service 2012– 
ItalyJoi 17 January 2010 – Sundays 21:00 
PortugalSony Entertainment Television 2010 – Coming Soon 
GermanyPassion 11 November 2010 - Pay-TV; Dubbed in German GermanyVOX 14 February 2011 - Free-TV; Dubbed in German 
CroatiaHRT 2011 – Subtitled in Croatian 
SwedenTNT7 2011 - 
PolandViacom Blink! 20 July 2011 - References
- ^ Australian Television: Packed to the Rafters
- ^ Seven to replace Packed to the Rafters with new drama Winners & Losers
- ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/08/returning-packed-to-the-rafters-2.html
- ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/10/seven-to-halt-rafters-season-once-again.html
- ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/10/packed-to-the-rafters-cliffhanger.html
- ^ Rafter's Erik Thompson not too happy about the break in Packed to the Rafters.
- ^ Packed to the Rafters on TV.com
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/packed-to-the-rafters-role-for-actress-brooke-satchwell/story-e6frewz0-1226178807025
- ^ Moran, Jonathon (28 September 2008). "Why this street is Packed to The Rafters". The Sunday Telegraph. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24412289-5001026,00.html.
- ^ Seven announces new Australian series for 2008
- ^ Gibney for new Seven comedy
- ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/809561
- ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/815756
- ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/packed-to-the-rafters-the-complete-season-2-4-disc-set-blu-ray/dp/815757
- ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/818163
- ^ http://www.dvdorchard.com.au/ProductS1TV.asp?PND=180425&CS=1&NoCache=4%2E601687E%2D02
- ^ Packed to the Rafters Soundtrack
- ^ Packed To The Rafters Vol3
- ^ Packed to the Rafters: TV Tonight
- ^ Packed to the Rafters
- ^ "Tuesday TV: Packed to the Rafters". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 2009. http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/tv-reviews/tuesday-tv-packed-to-the-rafters/2009/08/24/1251001848986.html.
- ^ "Tuesday's TV: Packed To The Rafters". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 June 2009. http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/tv-reviews/tuesdays-tv-packed-to-the-rafters/2009/06/29/1246127467350.html.
- ^ "Rafters Lead 2011 TV Week Logie Nominations - List Here - Take 40". Take40 Australia. April 4, 2011. http://www.take40.com/news/23073/rafters-lead-2011-tv-week-logie-nominations---list-here. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
- ^ Knox, David (22 October 2008). "Second series for Packed to the Rafters". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/10/second-series-for-packed-to-the-rafters.html. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
- ^ Knox, David (22 October 2008). "Irish eyes smile for Home & Away". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/10/irish-eyes-smile-for-home-away.html. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
- ^ NEW: Packed To The Rafters | Launch 2009 | Television New Zealand
- ^ Knox, David (2 December 2008). "Rafters attracts international business". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/12/rafters-attracts-international-business.html.
- ^ Returning: My Kitchen Rules, Parenthood, Grey’s, Housewives. Airdate: Conviction Kitchen
External links
- Packed to the Rafters – Official Seven Network website
- Packed to the Rafters at TV.com
- Australian Television: Packed to the Rafters
- Packed to the Rafters at the Internet Movie Database
Current Australian drama television series ABC1 Rake (2010-present) • Laid (2011-present) • Crownies (2011-present) • twentysomething (2011-present) • The Slap (2011-)Seven Network Home and Away (1988-present) • Packed to the Rafters (2008-present) • Winners & Losers (2011-present) • Wild Boys (2011-present)Nine Network Underbelly: Razor (2011-present)Network Ten Eleven Neighbours (1985-present)Fox8 SLiDE (2011-present)Showcase Tangle (2009-present)Future shows Law and Disorder (SBS One) • The New Black (ABC1) • Brothers In Arms, The Bikie Gang Wars (Network Ten) • Redfern Now (ABC1) • The Straits (SBS One) • Woodley (ABC1)In Doubt TI Taxi (SBS One)All Australian drama series Logie Award for Most Popular Australian Drama 1960s 77 Sunset Strip (1960) · Stormy Petrel (1961) · Consider Your Verdict (1962) · The One Day of the Year (1963) · Country and Western Hour (1964) · Country and Western Hour (1965) · Homicide (1966) · Homicide (1967) · Homicide (1968) · Homicide (1969)
1970s Division 4 (1970) · Homicide (1971) · Division 4 (1972) · Homicide (1973) · Number 96 (1974) · Number 96 (1975) · Number 96 (1976) · Power Without Glory (1977) · The Sullivans (1978) · The Sullivans (1979)
1980s The Sullivans (1980) · Prisoner (1981) · Prisoner (1982) · Sons and Daughters (1983) · A Country Practice (1984) · A Country Practice (1985) · A Country Practice (1986) · Neighbours (1987) · Neighbours (1988) · Neighbours (1989)
1990s N/A (1990) · Home and Away (1991) · E Street (1992) · Home and Away (1993) · Home and Away (1994) · Home and Away (1995) · Home and Away (1996) · Blue Heelers (1997) · Blue Heelers (1998) · Blue Heelers (1999)
2000s Blue Heelers (2000) · All Saints (2001) · All Saints (2002) · All Saints (2003) · McLeod's Daughters (2004) · McLeod's Daughters (2005) · Home and Away (2006) · Home and Away (2007) · Home and Away (2008) · Packed to the Rafters (2009)
2010s Packed to the Rafters (2010) · Packed to the Rafters (2011)
Logie Awards Categories:- Seven Network shows
- Australian drama television series
- 2000s Australian television series
- 2008 Australian television series debuts
- Television shows set in New South Wales
- O-Ring packaging
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