Packed to the Rafters

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Packed to the Rafters
Pttrtitle.png
Opening Title Card
Format Drama Comedy
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 Jennings
Country 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. Packed to the Rafters is currently the highest rating TV show in Australian Television History, with an average audience of 2.1 million[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

[edit] 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]

[edit] Cast

[edit] Main

Name Portrayed by Episode Duration Seasons
1 2 3 4 5
Julie Rafter Rebecca Gibney Pilot - present Main
David Rafter Erik Thomson Pilot - present Main
Rachel Rafter Jessica Marais Pilot - Sweet Sorrow Main
Benjamin "Ben" Rafter Hugh Sheridan Pilot - present Main
Nathan rafter Angus McLaren 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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] Upcoming cast

Actor Role Beginning Reference
Brooke Satchwell TBA TBC [8]

[edit] 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.

[edit] DVD and Blu-ray releases

DVD Season Format #
Episodes		 #
Disc(s)		 Region 4 Special Features
The Complete
Season 1		 DVD 22 6 December 2, 2009 (2009-12-02)[12]
  • O-Ring packaging
  • Behind the scenes look at the show
  • Cast Interviews
Blu-ray N/A
The Complete
Season 2		 DVD 22 6 November 3, 2010 (2010-11-03)[13][14]
  • O-Ring packaging
Blu-ray
The Complete
Season 3		 DVD 22 6 April 20, 2011 (2011-04-20)[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 1		 DVD 11 3 November 3, 2011 (2011-11-03)[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 2		 DVD 11 3 March 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)[17]
  • A Big Greek Wedding Featurette
  • George Houvardas, Hannah Marshall and Dina Panozzo, give an insight into the big day with contributions from Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Angus McLaren, Camille Keenan, James Stewart, Ryan Corr, Hugh Sheridan, and Zoe Cramond
  • Tricks of the Trade Featurette
  • James Stewart and Ryan Corr share the secrets of acting
  • Naughty but Nice Featurette
  • Erik Thomson and Angus McLaren chat about the filming of their risqué scenes
Blu-ray N/A
The Complete
Season 4		 DVD 22 6 March 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)[18]
  • 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
  • A Big Greek Wedding Featurette
  • Tricks of the Trade Featurette
  • Naughty but Nice Featurette
Blu-ray N/A

[edit] Soundtrack

[edit] 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[19] 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.

[edit] Track listing

  1. Jason Mraz – "I'm Yours"
  2. Gabriella Cilmi – "Sweet About Me"
  3. Josh Pyke – "Memories and Dust"
  4. Ben Lee – "Love Me Like the World Is Ending"
  5. Kahn Brothers – "Stronger Together"
  6. Lisa Mitchell – "Neopolitan Dreams"
  7. The Cat Empire – "Fishies"
  8. Old Man River – "La"
  9. José González – "Down the Line"
  10. James Reyne – "Reckless"
  11. Alex Lloyd – "Same Day"
  12. Lior – "Burst Your Bubble"
  13. Jenny Morris – "Street of Love"
  14. Mark Sholtez – "Love Me for the Cool"
  15. Abby Dobson – "It's Only Love"
  16. Eric Hutchinson – "Rock & Roll"

[edit] 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.

[edit] Track listing

  1. Latch Key Kid – "Good Times"
  2. Lisa Mitchell – "Coin Laundry"
  3. Empire of the Sun – "We Are the People"
  4. Ben Lee – "Birds And Bees"
  5. Eric Hutchinson – "You Don't Have To Believe Me"
  6. Bob Evans – "Don't You Think It's Time?"
  7. Kylie Auldist – "Just Say"
  8. James Grehan – "Hold On"
  9. Matt Costa – "Miss Magnolia"
  10. Mark Sholtez – "Too Late For Heroes"
  11. Lior – "This Old Love"
  12. Whitley – "Lost In Time"
  13. King Curly – "Little Arrows"
  14. Sarah Blasko – "Perfect Now"
  15. Abby Dobson – "Horses"
  16. Rick Price – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

[edit] 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.[20]

[edit] Track listing

  1. Uncle Kracker – "Smile"
  2. Olly Murs – "Please Don't Let Me Go"
  3. The Potbelleez – "Hello"
  4. Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Cherine Anderson – "Say Hey (I Love You)"
  5. Little Birdy – "Brother"
  6. Passion Pit – "Little Secrets"
  7. The Cat Empire – "So Many Nights"
  8. Kisschasy – "Generation Why"
  9. Sarah Blasko – "We Won't Run"
  10. Missy Higgins – "Warm Whispers"
  11. Bertie Blackman – "Thump"
  12. Fatboy Slim – "The Rockafeller Skank"
  13. Sally Seltmann – "Harmony to My Heart Beat"
  14. Leroy Lee – "Mountain Song"
  15. Mark Sholtez – "This Perfect Day"
  16. Angus & Julia Stone – "Hush"
  17. Daniel Merriweather – "Red"
  18. Sia – "I Go to Sleep"
  19. Holly Throsby – "Now I Love Someone"
  20. The Easybeats – "Wedding Ring"

[edit] Reception

[edit] 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".[21] 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".[22] 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".[23]

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".[24]

[edit] 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[25] 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

[edit] Episodes and ratings

Main article: List of Packed to the Rafters episodes

The 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.[26] The program has also been picked up by Irish broadcaster RTE[27] and New Zealand's TV1 which aired the first season of Packed to the Rafters in early 2009.[28] The series has also been sold to networks in South Africa, Belgium, The Netherlands, several Scandinavian countries,[29] and Italy.

[edit] Series Ratings

The following table's ratings and rankings are subject to change as more episodes are broadcast.

Season # of Episodes Timeslot Season
Premiere		 Season
Final		 Peak
Audience		 Average
Audience		 Average
Nightly Rank		 Average
Weekly Rank		 Average
Yearly Ranking		 DVD 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[30] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] Season 1: 2008–2009

Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 1)#Season Ratings

[edit] Season 2: 2009

Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 2)#Season Ratings

[edit] Season 3: 2010

Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 3)#Season Ratings

[edit] Season 4: 2011-2012

Main article: Packed to the Rafters (season 4)#Season Ratings

[edit] International distribution

Country Channel Year Notes
 Belgium (Flanders) vtm 2008 – Subtitled in Dutch
 Finland TV Viisi 2011 - Subtitled in Finnish
 Netherlands NET 5 2009 – Subtitled in Dutch
 Ireland RTÉ One August 2009 – Season 3 ended; season 4 coming soon
 New Zealand TV One 2009 – Sunday 20:30
 South Africa SET 2009 –
 Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Television Service 2012–
 Italy Joi 17 January 2010 – Sundays 21:00
 Portugal Sony Entertainment Television 2010 – Coming Soon
 Germany Passion 11 November 2010 - Pay-TV; Dubbed in German
 Germany VOX 14 February 2011 - Free-TV; Dubbed in German
 Croatia HRT 2011 – Subtitled in Croatian
 Sweden TNT7 2011 -
 Poland Viacom Blink! 20 July 2011 -

[edit] References

  1. ^ Australian Television: Packed to the Rafters
  2. ^ Seven to replace Packed to the Rafters with new drama Winners & Losers
  3. ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/08/returning-packed-to-the-rafters-2.html
  4. ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/10/seven-to-halt-rafters-season-once-again.html
  5. ^ http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/10/packed-to-the-rafters-cliffhanger.html
  6. ^ Rafter's Erik Thompson not too happy about the break in Packed to the Rafters.
  7. ^ Packed to the Rafters on TV.com
  8. ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/packed-to-the-rafters-role-for-actress-brooke-satchwell/story-e6frewz0-1226178807025
  9. ^ 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. 
  10. ^ Seven announces new Australian series for 2008
  11. ^ Gibney for new Seven comedy
  12. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/809561
  13. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/815756
  14. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/packed-to-the-rafters-the-complete-season-2-4-disc-set-blu-ray/dp/815757
  15. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/818163
  16. ^ http://www.dvdorchard.com.au/ProductS1TV.asp?PND=180425&CS=1&NoCache=4%2E601687E%2D02
  17. ^ https://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/packed-to-the-rafters-season-4-part-2/661066
  18. ^ https://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/packed-to-the-rafters-the-complete-season-4/661070
  19. ^ Packed to the Rafters Soundtrack
  20. ^ Packed To The Rafters Vol3
  21. ^ Packed to the Rafters: TV Tonight
  22. ^ Packed to the Rafters
  23. ^ "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. 
  24. ^ "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. 
  25. ^ "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. 
  26. ^ 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. 
  27. ^ 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. 
  28. ^ NEW: Packed To The Rafters | Launch 2009 | Television New Zealand
  29. ^ Knox, David (2 December 2008). "Rafters attracts international business". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/12/rafters-attracts-international-business.html. 
  30. ^ Returning: My Kitchen Rules, Parenthood, Grey’s, Housewives. Airdate: Conviction Kitchen

[edit] External links

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