Television history is filled with unforgettable shows, from Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie to Friends, The Sopranos, and Twin Peaks. But some productions become classics without needing several seasons.
The Thorn Birds was one of them.
First aired in March 1983, the ten-hour miniseries was based on Colleen McCullough’s 1977 novel. Starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, and Bryan Brown, it drew more than 30 million viewers in the United States and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
Spread across five nights, the drama captured audiences with its sweeping story, emotional intensity, and tragic romance. It went on to win several major awards, including four Golden Globes and six Emmys.
Rachel Ward’s Early Life and Career
Rachel Ward was born on September 12, 1957, in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England. She studied at Hatherop Castle School before attending the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. However, by the age of 16, she had left school to pursue fashion.
Ward became a successful model, appearing on covers of magazines including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s & Queen. Commercial work eventually opened the door to acting.
Her first television movie role came in 1979 with Christmas Lilies of the Field. A few smaller roles followed, but everything changed in 1983 when she was cast as Meggie Cleary.
Landing the Role of Meggie Cleary
Casting Meggie was not easy. Producers reportedly considered more than 200 women, with around 40 actresses auditioning.
Producer Stan Marguiles explained the challenge of finding someone who could portray Meggie across decades of her life.
“She has to go from 18 to her early 50s. From a rather naïve, overly romantic young girl to a bitter woman in her 30s, to a woman who finally understands where she took the wrong turn when she reaches her 50s.”
Ward later remembered the aging process for the role as unsettling at first.
“They first started to age me, it was kind of scary.”
She also recalled that her audition was not overly dramatic.
“My audition was quite light and I had a sense of humor… I got like 10/10 for looks and 4/10 for acting.”
Despite her doubts, Ward’s performance made her internationally recognized and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Fame, Criticism, and Insecurity
Although The Thorn Birds became a massive success, Ward struggled with criticism. Some reviews questioned her casting, and she later admitted the negative reaction stayed with her.
“I felt terribly like I’d disappointed. I felt that despite me it was a success.”
Years later, her daughter watched the miniseries and gave her the response that mattered most.
“Mom, you were fabulous.”
Ward has since reflected more kindly on the role, noting that acting styles have changed and that her natural approach may not have fit every expectation at the time.
Finding Love with Bryan Brown
While viewers were captivated by Meggie’s complicated romance with Father Ralph, played by Richard Chamberlain, Ward’s real love story happened behind the scenes.
Bryan Brown played Meggie’s husband, Luke O’Neill. During filming, he and Ward fell in love.
“What happened on screen was happening off it – that’s why our love scenes were so believable,” Ward said.
Chamberlain also noticed their connection, saying he had rarely seen two people so clearly in love.
Ward and Brown married only months after filming ended. They went on to have three children: Rose, Matilda, and Joseph.
Rachel Ward Today
After The Thorn Birds, Ward moved to Australia with Brown and continued acting in films and television. Her later credits include On the Beach, Rake, Devil’s Playground, and The Straits. She also expanded into directing and producing.
In 2005, Ward was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for her work raising awareness of social justice and supporting disadvantaged and at-risk young people.
Now a grandmother, Ward remains close to her family. Her daughter Matilda Brown also entered the film industry, though Ward initially encouraged her to work behind the camera rather than act.
In 2016, mother and daughter appeared together in The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, playing the same character at different stages of life.
Rachel Ward may always be remembered as Meggie Cleary, but her story reaches far beyond one iconic role. From British model to beloved actress, filmmaker, advocate, wife, mother, and grandmother, she has built a life marked by reinvention, resilience, and lasting passion for storytelling.