Rafters' James Stewart: My love for Jessica

Packed to the Rafters lovebirds James Stewart and Jessica Marais are the hottest couple on television but long after the cameras stop rolling, the actor can’t stop gushing about his real-life leading lady.

‘She’s so beautiful, just so beautiful,’ James says quietly.
‘And smart, really smart and she’s so funny,’ he adds, almost in awe as he describes what he adores about Jess.

‘I have mates, like everyone does, who I’d class as the funniest people in the world and she immediately became one of those. All that is hard to find in one person, let alone someone who’s just 25.’

How we fell in love
Although the chemistry between the pair has produced some sizzling scenes on Rafters, James, 34, reveals their relationship off camera blossomed over time.

‘Our relationship grew slowly and more gradually,’ says James. ‘When filming finished we thought it would be great to hang out, so I went to meet Jess’ family in Perth at Christmas and she came to Queensland to meet mine.’

Yet it was Jessica’s musical leanings which first excited James. The actor, who used to play in the band George with his twin brother Nick, says he was blown away when Jessica picked up a guitar.

‘The first thing she played was Stairway to Heaven. My brother and I grew up on Led Zeppelin and Nick just grabbed my arm and there was this sharp intake of breath. She can play a guitar so well – she just listens and plays.’

Yes, she’s one talented young lady, and together they might just conquer the world.

Hollywood hopes
James and Jessica reveal they are both keen to explore work opportunities in the US once filming finishes on Rafters later this year.

‘Jess has got to go – they love her over there – and I’m keen to find my Romper Stomper or Chopper, whether it’s there, back here or in Mongolia,’ he laughs.

While Jessica’s luminosity on camera has seen her compared to Cate Blanchett, James says his girlfriend also admires actress Charlize Theron. ‘She loves these girls who aren’t afraid to play monsters and as beautiful as Jess is, she isn’t afraid to play the dark side of life.’

As for his own dreams, James says he admires Sean Penn.
‘I love theatre, particularly Shakespeare because those characters are like mountains you can climb for the rest of your life.’

In the meantime, however, the pair are back steaming up our screens and James’ character Jake has new challenges.
‘My character discovers he’s got epilepsy so I’ve had to do my homework,’ he reveals.
‘You don’t want to go on screen in front of two million people and not get that right.’

James says his character’s condition brings some confronting moments between Jake and Rachel. ‘He wonders if she’d be better off with someone more capable,’ he says.

Although James has always steered clear of co-star romance, he says he and Jessica just clicked.
‘It’s like finding a member of your tribe. We agreed on so many things and had so many similarities. We laugh about so much and we’re really happy.’

Considering he had just four hours’ sleep before his Sydney audition – having driven through the night from Coffs Harbour – James says he went in determined to win the part of the footy-loving electrician.

Several actors had auditioned before him but none could match Jess’ energy.
‘It didn’t matter if I missed a line, I just had to change the heat in the room,’ he recalls.

James and Jessica have not moved in together, preferring to keep separate homes, but they will go to Hollywood together.

So could she be ‘the one’?
‘I don’t know,’ says James coyly. ‘Anything’s possible.’

By Angela Mollard