It’s no wonder Rebecca Gibney is smiling – the actress is said to have secretly negotiated a million-dollar deal, which means she could top the list of Australia’s highest paid soap stars in 2020!
For weeks rumours that Australia’s favourite family drama Packed To The Rafters is set to return in 2020 have been gathering pace, but now Woman’s Day can confirm the seventh season is officially locked in – and Rebecca’s the driving force behind the deal!
“This time around, Rebecca [who starred as Julie Rafter] will not only return as a cast lead, but also as an executive producer,” says a source.
As well as starring as Julie Rafter, Rebecca will be an executive producer on the show.
(Image: Getty)“Her new position has also meant she’s been able to negotiate salaries and contracts for her returning castmates,” the source spills of the new show, which is set to be titled Back To The Rafters.
The beloved drama will see the core cast return.
(Image: Supplied)While her exact salary isn’t known our source, says Rebecca, 54, will pull more than $300,000 for the series, which is being commissioned by Amazon Prime and produced by Seven. It’s likely to air after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in August.
And Bec’s not the only original cast member returning – Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, George Houvardas, Angus McLaren and Michael Caton are all locked in.
The series picks up six years after we last saw the Rafter family as they struggle to create a new life in the country with youngest daughter Ruby, while the older kids wrestle with their own issues.
According to the source, as a producer Rebecca has worked hard to ensure the acting heavyweights-turned-lifelong friends were given enviable pay packages.
“All their salaries have been doubled!” says the source. “When the show ended in 2013 they were on around $100,000 – now most of them are on over $200,000” the source insists.
But James isn’t joining them!
While most of our faves are back there’s one face missing – James Stewart, aka hot tradie Jake Barton!
“James is far too tied up with Home And Away – it’s a big job and he’s thriving there,” says our source. “James would also find it incredibly awkward to star opposite [his ex-fiancee] Jess on the show where they fell in love.”
Jessica Marais’ ex is tied up with Home and Away.
(Image: Getty)They might be on good terms for the sake of their daughter Scout, but to be castmates again would just be too weird.”
