It wasn’t certain that Rachel Ward was going to get the role of her lifetime, as she starred as Meggie Cleary in the classic mini-series The Thorn Birds.
The British actress and model has had a long and varying career, spanning decades. Now, she’s settled in Australia with her husband, whom she fell in love with on set.
So what really happened on The Thorn Birds? And why did the mini-series become such a huge success?
This is Rachel Ward today, at 65.
If you were to debate which television series is the best of all time, you’d probably get a different answer from every person you talk to. Firstly, there are so many different kinds of series, and of course, we all like different things.
But usually, the most popular television series are those that aired for many years, broadcast on television with several seasons and many strong and independent characters.
Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, Friends, Sopranos or Twin Peaks. The answer to which one reigns supreme will probably never be decided, and to be honest, that is also one of the most fantastic things about television.
The Thorn Birds
There will always be a series that sticks closer to the heart than others.
Even though we have more established series that last for years, there are several examples of miniseries that weren’t meant to stick around long, but still reached cult status.
One of those was The Thorn Birds, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, and Bryan Brown.
It was first broadcast in March 1983, and over 30 million people in the US watched the ten-hour miniseries, based on Colleen McCullough’s 1977 Australian novel The Thorn Birds.
The mini-series gained huge interest and was praised by both the audience and critics, winning several awards, both for its story as well as the actors’ performances.
Rachel Ward
Ten hours long and spread over five nights, The Thorn Birds is still to this day considered a classic that will live on for many years to come.
Rachel Ward starred as Meggie Cleary in The Thorn Birds, but at the time, it was pretty much a surprise when she got it. It turned out that the producers had difficulties in finding the perfect person for the role, but in the end, Ward was the perfect choice.
Not only did Ward get her big breakthrough by starring in the television mini-series, she also found the love of her life on set.
This is the story of Ward – and how she travelled the world to keep her passion for films and television series alive.
Rachel Ward – early life
Born on September 12, 1957, in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England, Ward studied at the Hatherop Castle School in Hatherop before attending the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. However, at just 16 years of age, she left school to pursue a career in fashion.
Ward became a fashion and photography model, appearing on covers for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, as well as Harper’s & Queen. She slowly made her way into the acting scene after she was featured in several commercials.
Years later, in 1995, she would earn her Graduate Diploma of Communications and a Graduate Certificate in Writing from University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
In 1979, Rachel Ward appeared in her first television movie, Christmas Lilies of the Field. In the years that followed she would have a number of smaller roles, but in 1983, she would become a well-known actress all over the US.
Casting ‘The Thorn Birds’
Stan Marguiles was one of the producers on The Thorn Birds. But casting the right people to appear in the show wasn’t the easiest task.
In 1982, he explained the difficulty.
However, when they saw Rachel Ward, they were sure that they’d found the right one for the role of Meggie Cleary.
“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. There’s an enormous range of emotions and colors,” he said.
“They first started to age me, it was kind of scary,” Ward recalled. “I had these endless double chins. I sort of had a body suit underneath the clothes, I remember liking it when I grew older, I liked the outfits, there was slightly more masculine than they were in the beginning.”
Over 200 women were considered for the role of Meggie Cleary, and a total of 40 actresses auditioned.
Speaking with the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Ward recalled her audition.
“My audition was quite light and I had a sense of humor” she said. “I remember I was taking it seriously but I wasn’t acting with a capital A. It is so subjective, performances pieces, and I was probably spot on the first time. I got like 10/10 for looks and 4/10 for acting.”
Golden Globe nominated
They sent Ward to work with an acting coach, and it was a great match. Starring alongside Richard Chamberlain as Father Ralph, Ward became a beloved actress, praised by viewers as well as critics.
In 1982, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Chamberlain received a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. The show itself won four Golden Globes, including Best Miniseries, as well as six Emmy awards.
“It was the absolute top of the heat of a soap opera,” Chamberlain said. “I am often surprised when I think about how it remains so successful, because there was one tragedy after another, after another, after another. Nobody came out on top of that show. It was so sad but had such wonderful characters”
Rachel Ward: “Felt terribly”
Ward wasn’t an actress that crafted her skills through school, but rather she learned as time went by. As the show aired, she saw herself as the weaker link. She suffered from insecurity for years after she received some negative reviews (The New York Times said she was “miscast”).
“I felt terribly like I’d disappointed,” she told Closer. “I felt that despite me it was a success.”
However, years later, her grown daughter watched The Thorn Birds, and told her mother, “‘Mom, you were fabulous,’” Ward recalled. “That was, for me, the most important response that I could’ve ever had.”
”It was soap opera. I think of it differently now,” Ward said. “Acting styles have changed and mine was always quite natural. And I think they tried to make me something that I wasn’t naturally. So that’s the excuse that I’ve made for myself.”
Her performance in the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds was of course a very important step for Ward, career wise. However, the production of the show became much more important for her, since she met the love of her life.
Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown
During her work on The Thorn Birds, Rachel Ward and Chamberlain’s characters Meggie and Father Ralph had great passion between them, which kept the viewers coming back.
Chamberlain recalled that it was difficult filming specific scenes.
“There’s a microphone hidden in the armpit… and you’re trying not to smear her lipstick,” he told Closer.
Even though Ward and Chamberlain were in love on camera, the great love story was actually when the cameras were turned off.
Bryan Brown starred as Meggie’s husband Luke O’Neill, and while shooting, they fell in love.
“What happened on screen was happening off it – that’s why our love scenes were so believable,” Ward told the UK’s Daily Express.
“Everyone on set realized they were falling for each other. “I’ve never seen two people more in love,” Chamberlain said, adding that Brown even helped Ward calm her nerves before shooting. “She seemed to get happier and happier and her work got better and better.”
Married months later
Ward and Brown obviously had “sexual chemistry” on set. She really fancied him, however, when asked who made the first move, she made sure to throw her beloved husband under the bus.
‘He as slow as a wet week. Really took forever. I think I probably did,’ she said.
Brown, however, insisted that he was just being a “cunning Aussie bloke” not approaching her at once.”
“And before they know it, they’re hooked!” the legendary actor joked.
Rachel Ward and Brown got married months after the filming of The Thorn Birds wrapped.
The couple went on to have three children, Rose, Matilda and Joseph.
So what happened to Ward following The Thorn Birds?
She and Brown moved to Australia, where Ward starred in several films and television series.
Rachel Ward – this is her today
In 2001, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television following her performance in the film On the Beach.
Her other credits include The Big House, Martha’s New Coat and television series Rake, Devil’s Playground and The Straits.
Ward also went into producing and directing,
Besides being an actress, wife, mother, and now grandmother, Ward also made sure to contribute to society.
Therefore, in 2005, she was awarded the A.M (Member of the Order of Australia for “raising awareness of social justice through lobbying, mentoring and advocacy for the rights of disadvantaged and at-risk young people.”
Work with daughter Matilda
Both Matilda’s parents were present when she gave birth, which was truly special for her.
“When I was pushing Zan out at the end, dad was stroking my head and mum was cheering me on, crying, saying, ‘Come on, Till! He’s so close,’” Matilda said. “It was pretty special that both my parents got to be with me through such a monumental time in my life.”
Just days ago, Ward got to see her newborn granddaughter, which she shared on her Instagram.
And on another note, isn’t Matilda just the spitting image of her mother!
Ward and her daughter Matilda both chose acting as their job.
However, when Matilda first said she wanted to become an actress, her mother wasn’t that excited.
Spitting image of her mother
“Mum definitely said ‘don’t be an actress,’” Matilda recalled. “She encouraged me to go to film school and get behind the camera, which I did and I’m very glad I did.”
In 2016, they teamed up in the film The Death and Life of Otto Bloom. Rachel and Matilda play the same character at different stages of her life
“We look alike so obviously there’s a great bonus in that we share physical similarities and mannerisms,” Rachel Ward said. “Plus, as we know, women over the age of 40 are basically invisible in the media and in film … It’s a treat when something comes along where it’s ok to be in your 50s.”
Rachel Ward was wonderful as Meggie Cleary in The Thorn Birds, and we’re so happy to see that she still is as passionate today.
Homeless Man Asked Me to Buy Him Coffee on His Birthday — Hours Later, He Sat Next to Me in First Class
Jimmy was stunned when the homeless man he’d bought coffee for earlier boarded the plane and sat beside him in first class. Who was he and why was he asking for money in the first place?
I’d never thought much about destiny until I met Kathy.
Three months ago, she walked into my life, and within weeks, she became my world. People called me crazy for proposing after just a month, but I couldn’t ignore the way everything fell into place with her.
A woman sitting in her living room | Source: Midjourney
We shared the same outlook on life, the same love for skiing, and even a mutual obsession with science fiction novels. It felt like the universe was nudging me, whispering, she’s the one.
Now, here I was, flying out to meet her parents for the first time.
Kathy warned me about her dad, David. She called him a stern man who didn’t give his approval easily. But she also insisted he had a good heart and loved her more than anything.
A woman sitting with her phone in her hand | Source: Midjourney
To be honest, I was scared. I knew I just had one shot to prove I was worthy of his daughter, and I didn’t want to mess it up.
I’d arrived at the airport too early, nerves pushing me to leave home long before I needed to. To kill time, I ducked into a cozy little coffee shop across the street.
The hum of conversations and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee were a welcome distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head.
That’s when I noticed him.
A man sitting in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
The man shuffled in, wearing tattered clothes. His face had wrinkles that showed he had worked hard all his life. His shoulders were slightly hunched, and his eyes, though tired, darted around the room like he was searching for something.
I watched as he approached a few tables, speaking softly to the people seated there.
People in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
Most people shook their heads, avoided eye contact, or offered an awkward apology. Then, he stopped in front of my table.
“Excuse me,” he said politely. “Could you spare some change? Just enough for a coffee.”
I hesitated. My first instinct was to decline. Not because I didn’t care, but because I wasn’t sure how much to trust him. You know, some people are genuine while others are just looking for handouts.
But something about him felt different. He wasn’t pushy, and he looked embarrassed to be asking.
A close-up shot of an older man | Source: Midjourney
“What kind of coffee do you want?” I asked.
“Jamaican Blue Mountain,” he said, almost sheepishly. “I’ve heard it’s really good.”
I almost laughed. It was the priciest option on the menu. For a moment, I thought he might be joking. But the way he looked at me made me stop.
“Why that one?” I asked.
“It’s my birthday,” he smiled. “Always wanted to try it. Figured… why not today?”
A part of me wanted to roll my eyes.
Sure, it’s your birthday, I thought.
But another part of me decided to believe him.
A man lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney
“Alright,” I said, standing up. “Let’s get you that coffee.”
His face lit up with a genuine smile. “Thank you,” he said.
I didn’t just buy him the coffee, though. I added a slice of cake to the order because, honestly, what’s a birthday without cake? When I handed him the tray, I gestured to the empty chair at my table.
“Sit,” I said. “Tell me your story.”
For a second, he hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if I meant it.
A coffee mug on a table | Source: Pexels
But then he sat down, cradling the coffee cup like it was something sacred. And he started to talk.
His name was David, and he’d lost everything years ago, including his family, his job, and even his home. Betrayal and bad luck had played their parts, but he didn’t make excuses.
He spoke plainly, with a kind of raw honesty that made it impossible not to listen.
As I sat there, I realized this wasn’t just a man looking for a handout. This was someone who’d been broken by life but hadn’t given up.
A close-up shot of an older man’s eye | Source: Pexels
By the time he finished his story, I felt a lump in my throat I couldn’t quite swallow. I slipped him $100 before leaving, but he tried to refuse it.
“Consider this a gift from my side, man,” I told him. “And happy birthday!”
I walked out of that café thinking I’d done a small, good thing for a stranger. I’d never imagined I’d see him again. Or that he’d turn my entire world upside down just a few hours later.
A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
The airport was buzzing with its usual chaos as I sat in the first-class waiting area, sipping another cup of coffee.
My nerves about meeting Kathy’s parents had calmed somewhat, but the thought of her father loomed large in my mind. What if he didn’t like me? What if he thought I wasn’t good enough for her?
I picked up my phone to text Kathy, who had already reached her parents’ place.
I’m super nervous, I wrote. How’s it going there?
Everything’s great, she texted back. I’m sure Dad’s going to love you.
When the boarding call came, I joined the line and found my seat near the window.
The view from an airplane’s window | Source: Pexels
First class felt like a luxury I didn’t deserve, but Kathy insisted I spoil myself for once. As I buckled in and glanced around, I couldn’t help but think about the man from the café. His story had stuck with me.
I hoped the $100 I’d given him would make his birthday a little brighter.
Just as I was settling in, a figure stepped into the aisle. My heart nearly stopped as I looked at his face.
A man sitting in an airplane | Source: Midjourney
It was him. The same man from the café.
But he wasn’t wearing the tattered clothes from earlier.
No, this man was in a sharp, tailored suit, his hair neatly combed, and a gleaming watch on his wrist.
He caught my eye and smirked.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked casually, sliding into the seat next to me.
I stared, my brain refusing to process the scene in front of me. “What… what’s going on here?”
He leaned back, a sly grin on his face. “Let’s call it… a test.”
An older man in an airplane | Source: Midjourney
“A test?” I repeated. “What are you talking about?”
The man chuckled softly as he pulled out a sleek notebook from his bag.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m David.” He paused, watching my reaction. “Kathy’s father.”
“Wait… you’re her dad?” I blurted out. “The one I’m flying out to meet?”
“The very same,” he said, still grinning. “You see, I’ve always believed in a hands-on approach. I wanted to see who my daughter’s fiancé really is outside the polished dinner introductions and carefully rehearsed answers.”
A close-up shot of an older man’s face | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t believe it. Why didn’t Kathy tell me about this? Was she a part of this plan?
“So, this was all an act?” I asked.
“A necessary one,” he replied calmly. “It’s easy to show kindness when everyone’s watching. But I wanted to know how you’d treat a stranger, especially one who seemed to have nothing to offer you. Turns out, you passed the first part.”
“The first part?” I echoed. “How many parts are there?”
He opened the notebook and handed me a pen. “Just one more. Write a letter to Kathy.”
“A letter?”
A young man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
“Yes,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “Tell her why you love her, why you want to marry her, and how you’ll take care of her. Don’t overthink it. Be honest.”
I stared at the blank page as beads of sweat formed on my temples. This wasn’t what I’d signed up for. But as much as I wanted to protest, I knew I couldn’t.
So, I started writing.
At first, the words came slowly, stumbling over thoughts and emotions. But soon, the pen seemed to move on its own.
A man writing a letter | Source: Pexels
I wrote about how Kathy made me feel complete, how her laughter could brighten my darkest days, and how I wanted to build a life with her filled with trust and joy.
By the time I finished, my hand ached, but my heart felt lighter.
However, I still wasn’t sure if I’d pass the test. What if this was a trick question? What if David’s test wasn’t as simple as it looked?
A close-up shot of a man sitting near in the window seat | Source: Midjourney
After I handed him the notebook, he looked at it for a moment. Then, he looked up with a smile.
“You passed,” he said. “Welcome to the family.”
I felt so relieved after hearing those words.
This man, who had just tested me in the most unexpected way, extended his hand. I shook it firmly, knowing I had crossed the final hurdle.
“Now, let’s see how well you do at home,” he said.
An older man in a black suit | Source: Midjourney
When we finally landed and deboarded, I was both physically and mentally exhausted. As we walked through the terminal, I tried to steady my breathing, hoping I’d done enough to impress him, but my nerves were still fraying at the edges.
The drive to Kathy’s parents’ house was quiet. She and her mother were waiting for us there.
Meanwhile, my mind was racing with thoughts of what the evening would bring. I wasn’t just meeting her parents anymore. I had passed the “test.” But what did that even mean? Would David’s approval be enough? What would happen at their home?
Cars on a road | Source: Pexels
When we arrived, Kathy’s mother, Susan, greeted us warmly. Kathy’s brothers and sister were there too.
David, however, kept his usual serious demeanor, eyeing me across the table. I couldn’t tell if he was still evaluating me or simply reserving judgment.
Dinner was an uncomfortable affair, with everyone making polite conversation while David sat back, watching everything closely.
Every time I spoke, he would nod or grunt, never offering much in return. Kathy’s siblings were easygoing, but David’s silence was almost deafening.
I couldn’t help but wonder, Did I really pass?
A man sitting for dinner in his house | Source: Midjourney
As the meal drew to a close, David set down his wine glass and cleared his throat.
“You’ve done well, Jimmy,” he said. “You’ve shown me who you really are. And that means something.”
Kathy squeezed my hand under the table.
“I’ve always known you were the right one for me,” she whispered.
“I’ve seen enough to know he’ll take care of you,” he said while smiling at his daughter. “You’ve got my blessing.”
A man smiling at his daughter | Source: Midjourney
I was super happy at that point, but there was something unspoken in the way David looked at me.
After dinner, as Kathy and I helped her parents clean up, I thought everything had fallen into place.
That’s when I stumbled upon a folded piece of paper on the counter.
As I unfolded it, I realized it was a receipt for a cup of coffee from the café I had visited earlier that morning. The one where I met David.
A young man looking at a receipt | Source: Midjourney
The receipt wasn’t for the coffee I bought for David, though. There was an additional charge at the bottom.
“Extra donation — $100.”
I picked it up and turned to Kathy.
“What’s this?” I asked her.
“Oh, that’s my dad’s way of tying up loose ends.”
I frowned, confused. “Loose ends?”
She leaned against the counter, her eyes twinkling. “You gave him $100 at the café, remember? He didn’t keep it. He handed it to the café staff and told them to count it as an extra donation after you left.”
“And… how do you know that? Did you know about his plan all along? Were you a part of it?”
A man talking to his fiancée | Source: Midjourney
She gave me a sly smile.
“Well, I was,” she said. “You didn’t think it was just about the coffee, did you? And how do you think Dad knew about your flight? Of course, it was me, Jimmy.”
At that point, I realized I wasn’t marrying into a regular family. These people were very special, and they wanted me to realize the importance of generosity. And what it meant to be a part of this family
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply