Amazon Readies First Original Australian Scripted Drama

Amazon is gearing up for its first scripted original in Australia, Back to the Rafters, which is set to launch on Prime Video in more than 200 countries around the world.

Filming on the series is slated to begin in Sydney in 2020 with Seven Studios. Back to the Rafters offers the next chapter in the story of the Rafter family, who charmed audiences for six years in the classic Australian drama series Packed to the Rafters.

At Packed to the Rafters’ center were parents Dave and Julie, working to balance their own journey as a couple with the ups and downs of raising a family. Back to the Rafters will feature original principal cast members Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter), Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter), Jessica Marais (Rachel Rafter), Hugh Sheridan (Ben Rafter), Angus McLaren (Nathan Rafter), Michael Caton (Ted Taylor) and George Houvardas (Nick “Carbo” Karandonis).

Back to the Rafters picks up six years since we last saw the Rafter family. Dave and Julie have created a new life in the country with youngest daughter Ruby, while the older Rafter children face new challenges and Grandpa Ted struggles to find his place. As Dave enjoys his new-found freedom, Julie must reconcile her responsibilities to the family.

“Since we began producing international originals, Back to the Rafters has been at the top of the list of scripted series we’ve wanted to commission,” said James Farrell, VP of international originals at Amazon Studios. “Packed to the Rafters is among the most beloved Australian series and this revival will allow us to give our customers the locally relevant entertainment they want. We’re thrilled to be working with Seven Studios to bring back the Rafter family for Prime members in Australia and around the world.”

“We are hugely excited to be working with Amazon Studios on Prime Video’s first Australian drama commission, bringing back the iconic Rafters family for both Australian and global audiences,” said Therese Hegarty, CEO of Seven Studios. “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase to the world a home-grown original drama series, brought to life by brilliant Australian creative talent.”

“What a thrilling opportunity to be able to revisit the family at the center of my most successful creation, six years down the track,” said the series’ creator and writer, Bevan Lee. “The world has changed so much in that time, and it is a writing dream to be able to explore how the Rafters have changed with it, while at the same time reconnecting with the life affirming combination of humor and heart that characterized the original series. In an increasingly dark world, it is wonderful to use the Rafters again to spread light.”