Hugh Sheridan has revealed that former co-star Jessica Marais felt “relieved” that she didn’t have to play Rachel Rafter in Back to the Rafters.
In an interview with Anita Anabel from The Good Chat podcast, Hugh revealed that the “COVID break” was “well-timed” because prior to that, Jess had been involved with show but “then stepped away”.
“Which I fully understand,” they said. “She and I are very close, and got into drama school together. We’re besties in life. She came and lived with me in Bronte for a bit of COVID when we were in lockdown because she was by herself and we just had a real laugh and you know, she was relieved about that.”
The 36-year-old also admitted that they had been “curious” about what would happen when Georgina Haigh joined the cast.
“She felt tentative and knew this was a big show and that Rachel was a very loved character, but she really is the perfect person to replace her.”
Bringing Back Ben and the Rafters
Prior to filming the reboot on Amazon Prime, Hugh revealed that they “certainly weren’t ready” to get back to playing the role of Ben and neither was the rest of the cast.
“We were doing other things. It seemed a bit premature and it hadn’t been gone long enough,” they said. “Now it’s been eight years.”
But as for why the series is still so popular: “Rafters was made for Australians and was a show that resonated with all of us,” they said.
Hugh’s Coming Out Story
Elsewhere in the episode, Hugh spoke about their sexuality, even revealing that they were “personally wasn’t attracted to guys until I was older.”
“There was a part of me that wished I was, because I was always teased at school,” they said.
Then when they had their first boyfriend, they were studying at NIDA and the teachers pulled them into a room and suggested they not tell anyone.
“I was so angry with them because I was out and louder and prouder than anyone,” they said.
Unfortunately, that person broke their heart.
“Then I decided I didn’t like guys at all and went back to girls. So, I was very confused and I didn’t know what to say and then Rafters happened and the publicist said, ‘do you want to talk about it?’ And I said, ‘do you know what? I don’t’, they revealed.
“Mainly because I don’t know who I am yet anyway and if I make the choice it will just stick with me.”
“I was feeling really trapped.”
Catch Back to the Rafters, streaming now on Amazon Prime.
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
