Landing the part that would define her career was far from guaranteed for Rachel Ward when she auditioned to play Meggie Cleary in the legendary miniseries The Thorn Birds.
The English-born actress and former fashion model has built an impressive career that spans multiple decades. These days, she calls Australia home, living there with the man she fell head over heels for while filming that very same production.
What made The Thorn Birds such an unforgettable phenomenon? And where is Rachel Ward now at 65?
The Eternal Debate: What Makes a Great TV Series?
Ask anyone to name the greatest television series ever made, and you’ll likely receive a completely different response each time. With countless genres and individual preferences shaping our opinions, reaching consensus feels impossible.
Typically, the shows that dominate these conversations are the ones that graced our screens for years—programs with multiple seasons, richly developed storylines, and compelling characters who felt like old friends.
Think about classics like Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, Friends, The Sopranos, or Twin Peaks. Declaring a single winner in this arena? That’s a debate that will rage on forever. And honestly, that endless discussion is part of what makes television so magical.
Certain shows simply resonate deeper than others, touching something within us that lingers long after the credits roll.
When Miniseries Become Cultural Phenomena
While long-running series often dominate the conversation, some miniseries—despite their brief existence—have achieved legendary status.
The Thorn Birds stands as a perfect example. Starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, and Bryan Brown, this ten-hour television event premiered in March 1983 and captivated over 30 million American viewers.
Based on Colleen McCullough’s 1977 Australian novel of the same name, the miniseries became an instant sensation. Critics and audiences alike praised its sweeping narrative and powerful performances, earning the production numerous accolades.
Broadcast across five consecutive nights, The Thorn Birds remains a timeless classic that continues to touch hearts decades later.
Rachel Ward’s Surprising Journey to Stardom
When Rachel Ward secured the role of Meggie Cleary, it came as somewhat of a shock. Producers had struggled considerably to find their perfect leading lady, testing countless actresses before Ward emerged as the ideal choice.
This role didn’t just launch Ward’s career into the stratosphere—it also introduced her to her future husband on set.
Let’s explore Ward’s fascinating journey and how her dedication to storytelling took her across the globe.
From English Boarding School to Fashion Runways
Rachel Ward entered the world on September 12, 1957, in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England. After studying at Hatherop Castle School and briefly attending the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, Ward made a bold decision at just 16 years old: she would leave formal education to chase a career in fashion.
Her modeling career flourished quickly. Ward graced the covers of prestigious publications including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s & Queen. Her striking features soon caught the attention of commercial directors, providing her first taste of performing for the camera.
Later, in 1995, Ward returned to academia in Australia, earning both a Graduate Diploma of Communications and a Graduate Certificate in Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Ward’s acting debut came in 1979 with the television movie Christmas Lilies of the Field. She worked steadily in smaller roles over the next few years, but 1983 would prove to be her breakthrough year.
The Casting Challenge That Nearly Derailed Everything
Stan Marguiles, one of The Thorn Birds producers, faced a daunting task in 1982. Finding the right actress to embody Meggie Cleary proved extraordinarily difficult.
The role demanded remarkable range. As Marguiles explained, the character needed to evolve from an innocent 18-year-old dreamer into a disillusioned woman in her thirties, and finally into someone who, in her fifties, understands the crucial moments where her life took wrong turns. The emotional depth required was staggering.
Ward recalled the aging process during filming: “The first time they aged me up was genuinely frightening. I ended up with multiple chins. They had me wearing body suits beneath the costumes. Interestingly, I actually preferred the looks for the older Meggie—the clothing had a more masculine edge than the earlier costumes.”
More than 200 women were considered, with 40 actresses ultimately auditioning for the coveted role.
Reflecting on her audition years later for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Ward remembered approaching it with a lighter touch: “I wasn’t overthinking it—I brought some humor to the room. I was serious about the work, but I wasn’t trying too hard. Looking back, I probably nailed it on the first attempt. Someone joked I scored a 10 out of 10 for appearance but only a 4 out of 10 for acting.”
Recognition and Self-Doubt
The producers paired Ward with an acting coach, and the collaboration proved invaluable. Opposite Richard Chamberlain’s Father Ralph, Ward delivered a performance that resonated deeply with viewers and critics alike.
Her work earned her a 1982 Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Chamberlain took home the Golden Globe for Best Actor, while the miniseries itself collected four Golden Globes—including Best Miniseries—along with six Emmy Awards.
“It reached the pinnacle of soap opera,” Chamberlain reflected. “What surprises me is how it continues to resonate with audiences, considering tragedy struck repeatedly throughout the story. Not a single character emerged unscathed. Despite the overwhelming sadness, the characters were simply unforgettable.”
Years of Insecurity
Ward hadn’t received formal acting training—she learned through experience. As the series aired, she became her own harshest critic, viewing herself as the production’s weakest element. Negative reviews, including The New York Times calling her “miscast,” fueled years of self-doubt.
“I felt like I’d let everyone down,” she confessed to Closer magazine. “The show succeeded in spite of me.”
However, perspective arrived years later when her grown daughter watched The Thorn Birds and told her mother, “Mom, you were fabulous.” Ward described this as “the most important response I could have ever received.”
“Looking at it now, I see it differently,” Ward reflected. “Acting styles have evolved, and mine was always quite understated. I think they were trying to mold me into something I wasn’t naturally. That’s become my excuse, anyway.”
Love Behind the Scenes
While The Thorn Birds advanced Ward’s career significantly, the production’s greatest gift came in the form of romance.
On screen, the chemistry between Ward’s Meggie and Chamberlain’s Father Ralph kept millions tuning in week after week.
Chamberlain remembered the technical challenges of filming intimate scenes: “There’s a microphone tucked in your armpit, and you’re desperately trying not to smudge her lipstick.”
But the real love story unfolded when cameras stopped rolling.
Bryan Brown played Meggie’s husband Luke O’Neill, and during production, he and Ward fell deeply in love.
“What viewers saw on screen was actually happening off camera—that’s what made our love scenes so authentic,” Ward told the UK’s Daily Express.
Everyone on set witnessed their romance blossoming. “I’ve never seen two people more in love,” Chamberlain observed. He noted that Brown helped Ward manage her pre-scene anxiety, adding, “She grew happier as filming progressed, and her performance improved exponentially.”
From Co-Stars to Life Partners
The attraction between Ward and Brown was undeniable. When asked who made the first move, Ward playfully threw her husband under the bus: “He moved slower than molasses. Took forever. I probably initiated things.”
Brown, however, maintained he was simply playing it smart: “Just being a clever Australian bloke, not rushing in. And before they realize it, they’re completely hooked!” he joked.
Ward and Brown married just months after The Thorn Birds wrapped production.
The couple went on to welcome three children: Rose, Matilda, and Joseph.
Building a Life Down Under
Following The Thorn Birds, Ward and Brown relocated to Australia, where Ward continued building her impressive filmography.
In 2001, she received another Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for her role in On the Beach.
Her other notable work includes The Big House, Martha’s New Coat, and television series Rake, Devil’s Playground, and The Straits.
Ward eventually expanded her career into producing and directing.
Beyond her entertainment career, Ward has remained committed to social causes. In 2005, she received 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.”
The Next Generation
In May 2019, Ward and Brown celebrated becoming first-time grandparents when their daughter Matilda Brown gave birth to son Zan.
Both parents were present for the birth, creating an unforgettable moment for Matilda.
“During the final moments of labor, dad was gently stroking my head while mum cheered me on through tears, saying, ‘You can do this, Till! He’s almost here,'” Matilda recalled. “Having both parents there during such a transformative moment meant everything.”
Recently, Ward shared photos on Instagram of meeting her newborn granddaughter.
And if you look closely, you’ll notice that Matilda is remarkably similar to her mother!
A Mother’s Wisdom
Both Ward and her daughter Matilda pursued acting careers, though Ward initially had reservations when Matilda expressed interest in following her footsteps.
“Mum definitely discouraged me from acting,” Matilda remembered. “She pushed me toward film school, suggesting I work behind the camera. I’m grateful I followed that advice.”
In 2016, mother and daughter collaborated on The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, portraying the same character at different life stages.
“Our physical resemblance is obviously advantageous—we share similar features and mannerisms,” Rachel Ward explained. “Also, let’s be honest: women over 40 are largely invisible in media and film. When a role comes along where being in your fifties is actually appropriate, it feels special.”
Still Passionate After All These Years
Rachel Ward’s portrayal of Meggie Cleary in The Thorn Birds remains unforgettable, and it’s wonderful to see her passion for storytelling burns as brightly today as it did over four decades ago.
