2000)
In 1993, Melissa decided to return to E Street. Producers of the show and fans were thrilled to have her back, and Nikki’s return to Westside was one of the show's main draws and major focuses for the lead-in to the 1993 season. However, despite the good ratings the show was delivering, the show had declined in storylines and due to budget issues the network decided to axe E Street in May 1993.
In 1993 and 1994, Tkautz appeared as a special guest on Paradise Beach, playing Vanessa Campbell, the manipulative ex-girlfriend of Sean Hayden (played by Ingo Rademacher). Her role lasted several weeks and she also returned some months later when she was involved with Kirk Barsby (played by Manu Bennett). Strangely enough, he had previously appeared as an extra in the music video for Tkautz's "My House."
In 1995, she had a role in Echo Point.
In 1996, Tkautz joined the series Pacific Drive, where she played a model named Bethany Daniels. Dubbed as an "Australian version of Melrose Place", the series was filmed on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Despite the series never really taking off, this role was a major career move for Tkautz, playing the first ever long-term HIV positive character on Australian television. The series has since gained a cult following. When the show was cancelled after 2 seasons, Tkautz then joined the cast of Medivac as Nurse Evie Morrison.
Tkautz later appeared in the series All Saints. She also continued working as a model, doing local and international projects.
Read more about this topic: Melissa Tkautz, Acting Career (1993