Jessica Marais has found herself a surprising new career, almost four years after stepping away from acting to focus on her mental health.
The Logie-winning actress, 37, known for starring in hit TV shows The Wrong Girl and Love Child, is now working as a waitress at Gordons Cafe in Clovelly, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The café, on the corner of Beach Street and Clovelly Road, is just a stone’s throw away from Jessica’s home.
New career: Logie-winning actress Jessica Marais (pictured at the 2017 Logies) is now working as a waitress at a Sydney café, four years after quitting acting to focus on her mental health
It is also close to her favourite swimming spot, Gordons Bay.
The Magic City star is flourishing in her new job, with a customer telling New Idea she was ‘friendly’ and looked ‘really happy’ during a recent visit.
Marais stepped away from acting in late 2018 but looked set to make a comeback in 2020 when she joined the cast of Back to the Rafters, the Amazon Prime Video reboot of beloved Channel Seven drama Packed to the Rafters.
She was due to reprise her role as Rachel Rafter, the character she had played from 2008 until 2013 in the original Seven series, but pulled out at the last minute.
Star service! Marais, 37, known for starring in hit TV shows The Wrong Girl and Love Child, works as a waitress at Gordons Cafe in Clovelly, Sydney. Pictured with her boyfriend Jake Holly
Marais’ former co-star Angus McLaren, who played Nathan Rafter, told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year she was ‘doing well’.
‘Yeah we definitely missed her on set, but the good thing about Jess is she lived quite close to me when I was in Sydney,’ he said.
‘So I actually got to see her. I really have a lot of love for Jess.’
Order up! The Magic City star is flourishing in her new job, with a customer telling New Idea she was ‘friendly’ and looked ‘really happy’ during a recent visit. Pictured: Gordon Cafe
‘It would’ve been great to work with her. She’s certainly one of those people who brings a good vibe to the set.’
Marais has had a difficult few years.
The mother of one, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was unable to attend the Logie Awards in July 2018 because she was receiving treatment for ‘urgent’ issues at The Health Clinic, a mental health facility in Bronte.
Quit: Marais stepped away from acting in late 2018 but looked set to make a comeback in 2020 when she joined the cast of Back to the Rafters, the Amazon Prime Video reboot of beloved Channel Seven drama Packed to the Rafters. (Pictured: The cast of Packed to the Rafters)
While in treatment, she attended daily counselling sessions and had access to nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists, reported The Sunday Telegraph.
A source also told the publication Marais followed a detox and inner health program, with inpatient programs averaging $25,000 for a month.
In August 2018, Marais told TV Week magazine she felt anxious about her career, saying: ‘I do worry about not having work – it’s a great fear.
No show: Marais, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was unable to attend the Logie Awards in July 2018 because she was receiving treatment for ‘urgent’ issues at a mental health facility in Bronte. (Pictured at the Logie Nominations Party on the Gold Coast on May 27, 2018)
‘Everyone worries about unemployment and making ends meet. I think it’s only natural in today’s climate – it’s a massive issue,’ she added.
In September 2018, the South African-born star announced she was pulling out of Channel Nine show Bad Mothers a month before it was scheduled to begin filming.
‘Jessica has decided to step away from acting for the remainder of 2018 to focus on her health and spend time with her family,’ her manager said at the time.
Reboot: In July 2019, it was announced Marais would return to screens in Halifax: Retribution, a reboot of ’90s drama Halifax f.p., starring alongside Rebecca Gibney and Anthony LaPaglia
In July 2019, it was announced Marais would return to screens in Halifax: Retribution, a reboot of ’90s drama Halifax f.p., starring alongside Rebecca Gibney and Anthony LaPaglia.
However, two months later reports claimed Jessica had pulled out of the series.
According to The Sun-Herald, the Gold Logie nominee quit the show because ‘it didn’t fit with her schedule and personal commitments’.
By her side: Marais has been dating photographer Jake Holly (right) since December 2017, and has credited him with helping her overcome her mental health struggles
Then in February 2020, Marais shocked fans by announcing she would be stepping away from the highly anticipated Back to the Rafters for ‘personal reasons’.
‘She thanks everyone involved on the show for their ongoing support and love, especially her Rafter’s family, and sends them her very best wishes for the production,’ a statement read.
Just months after pulling out of Back to the Rafters, Marais sparked concern when emergency crews were called to her home in Sydney’s east for a welfare check.
‘Distressed’: Just months after pulling out of Back to the Rafters, Marais sparked concern when emergency crews were called to her home in Sydney’s east for a welfare check
She was walked to an ambulance where she was put on a gurney and taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.
A witness told Daily Mail Australia she was not wearing any shoes, her hair was a ‘dishevelled mess’ and she was in a ‘visibly distressed state’.
Fortunately, she appeared happy and healthy several weeks later as she spent time with her Packed to the Rafters’ co-star Hugh Sheridan and other supportive friends.
Months later, her mother Karen passed away.
Marais shares a 10-year-old daughter, Scout, with her ex-fiancé, Home and Away star James Stewart.
If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14
Co-parents: Marais shares a 10-year-old daughter, Scout (centre), with her ex-fiancé, Home and Away star James Stewart (left)