Packed to the Rafters

Tuesday November 25 8:30pm (PG) - 2008 SERIES FINAL

Julie realises that her 'mother's radar' is not always on track; desperate for some time to themselves, Nathan and Sammy organise a romantic rendezvous; and the truth comes out about Rachel's relationship with her hot yoga teacher.

Julie struggles with the realisation that her ‘mother’s radar’ is not always exact when it comes to her children’s problems.

Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with Vishnu, her hot yoga teacher, a secret from the family – but is he all that he seems?

Desperate for some time to themselves, Nathan and Sammy organise a romantic tryst at one of the properties Nathan is meant to be selling, and tensions rise when Sammy’s successful ex boyfriend returns to Sydney.

Julie knows that Dave is keeping a secret, but is shocked when he reveals the truth – he’s starting to consider Warney a friend.

Tuesday November 18 8:30pm (PG)

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Dave’s birthday celebrations end in disaster after a fight breaks out in a pole-dancing club; Dave reluctantly bonds with Warney – and discovers the beginnings of a surprising friendship; Ben is traumatised after a violent hold-up at the Boat Club; and Julie cramps Rachel’s style when she signs up for a yoga class taught by a hot young instructor.

Tuesday November 11
8:30pm (PG)

** GUEST STARS KATE FITZPATRICK, GENNIE NEVINSON, VANESSA DOWNING & MYLES POLLARD **

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Ted ventures back into the weird and wonderful world of dating; Rachel embraces a macrobiotic lifestyle with disastrous results; and Julie lets her hair down for a night of pre-Christmas clubbing.

Ted steps back into the world of dating as Christmas fast approaches. His journey begins when, encouraged by Louise’s letter to the future, he attends a meeting of Friend Finders – a social networking group for people over 50. His first experience is bewildering and he finds himself cast as ‘fresh flesh’ – especially by two very different women, Helen and Marjorie. But is the newly widowed Ted ready for anything romantic?

Channel 7 today announced production of a second season of PACKED TO THE RAFTERS. The in-house family drama has been the runaway hit of the year.

Starring respected actors Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson and Michael Caton, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS debuted in August and has since become the most-watched regular series on television in 2008.

Cementing its place as the number one drama in Australia, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS is attracting a massive audience of close to 2 million viewers each week.

Seven’s Head of Drama John Holmes is thrilled the show has struck such a powerful chord with the Australian public. “The success of Packed to the Rafters has been extraordinary,” he says. “We knew we had a great show and a brilliant cast but the response from audiences has been overwhelming.

Tuesday November 4
8:30pm

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Julie is faced with ghosts of the past when she drags the family to a beach house weekend away.

Julie forces her dispirited family to the beach for a restorative weekend away – leading to everyone feeling restored but Julie herself.

Ted receives advice from beyond the grave.

Melissa’s life is in danger when she goes into sudden anaphylactic shock during a Rafter BBQ.

Romance beckons for Rachel – but is she ready to embrace it?

Tuesday October 28 8:30pm (PG)

Rachel is faced with a terrible decision.

Ben gets the wrong idea when he stumbles upon a secret in Melissa’s handbag.

Sammy is offered the possibility of a glamorous job in London – but will she leave Nathan behind?

Tuesday October 7
8:30pm

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Nathan’s two worlds collide with hilarious and humiliating results.

Nathan’s world is turned upside down as Julie and Dave make a splash at his father-in-law’s 50th birthday party.

Nathan learns a valuable lesson about wealth and happiness when the life he has and the life he wants collide.

Determined to teach Nathan a lesson about family loyalty, Rachel sets out to humiliate him by dating his rich and snobby best friend.

Narrated from the perspective of Nathan, the episode deals with the journey towards Nathan’s epiphany that he’s not so different to the rest of his family and that isn’t a bad thing.

Rachel faces up to her shameful past. In flashbacks, she tells how she met, fell in love and eventually left Daniel, the man responsible for emailing their private video.

Ted decides to move back home but what is he hiding?

Narrated from the perspective of the Rafters eldest child Rachel, this episode focuses on the aftermath of her sex video and its repercussions on her and her family.

Tuesday September 30 8:30pm (PG)

Tuesday September 23 8:30pm (PG)

Ben finds himself in uncomfortable possession of a devastating secret which could blow his family apart, and with Dave's freelance career failing to take off, Julie makes a tough decision which tests the strength of their marriage.

Julie is starting to feel the financial strain of the family’s new living arrangements as Dave struggles to find work. Tempers flare when Dave buys a new van they can’t afford without telling her. Eager to ease their money woes, Julie tells Dave a white lie she later regrets.

Tuesday September 16
8:30pm

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Sammy and Nathan’s marriage is in crisis when she can no longer bear keeping the secret reason for their move into the Rafter home.

Relating the story of how he met beloved wife Sammy, Nathan is forced to face his feelings of worthlessness as a son, husband and provider.

In revisiting the evolution of his relationship with Sammy, Nathan takes us to his wedding day – both the happiest and saddest day of his life, as a beloved family member collapses.

Wealthy princess Sammy faces obstacles at every turn as she struggles to fit into crowded, suburban life with the Rafter family.

Tuesday September 9 8:30pm (PG)

Rachel’s growing alcohol dependence sends her family over the edge. Her careless actions could spell the end for one of them.

Julie desperately brings the family together for a therapeutic barbecue but simmering tensions erupt.

Ben finds himself the unlikely counsellor to both his sister and grandfather Ted as they confront traumatic turning points in their lives.

When Ted’s humiliating secret is discovered by Rachel, she unwittingly sets him on a path to self-destruction.

Narrated by the Rafters’ middle child, Ben, tonight’s episode focuses on the dramatic and comic repercussions of his move towards independence and responsibility; and the on-going tension for Julie and Dave as they deal with the dark secrets of their family.

Channel 7 today announced its new Australian produced family drama PACKED TO THE RAFTERS will premiere on Tuesday August 26 at 8.30pm.

Starring respected actors Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson and Michael Caton, the show turns the microscope on would-be empty nesters Julie and Dave Rafter, whose lives are thrown upside down when their family suddenly returns home.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS marks Rebecca Gibney’s first production with Seven and it’s a show she’s thrilled to be a part of. “It’s a real slice of Australian life,” she says. “All the drama and humour is incredibly real and true.”

Her co-star Erik Thomson agrees. “There’s nothing like it on Australian television at the moment. It’s about family and love.”

Their on-screen children are played by stars-in-the-making Jessica Marais, Hugh Sheridan and Angus McLaren. Rounding out the cast is recent dual Logie nominee Zoe Ventoura and George Houvardas.

Tuesday September 2 8:30pm (PG)

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital.

When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them?

An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked.

Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel – and her own secret turmoil.

Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members – each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor – that of the googly – that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.