It wasn’t always certain that Rachel Ward would land the role that defined her life, starring as the unforgettable Meggie Cleary in the legendary mini-series The Thorn Birds.
The talented British actress and former model has enjoyed a diverse career that has lasted for many decades. Today, she lives a peaceful life in Australia with her husband, a man she famously fell in love with while filming on set.
What were the secrets behind the scenes of The Thorn Birds? And why did this particular mini-series capture the hearts of so many millions around the world?
This is the inspiring story of Rachel Ward today, now at the age of 68.
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If you were to ask fans which television show is the greatest in history, everyone would give you a different answer. This is because there are so many genres, and our personal tastes in entertainment are always unique.
However, the most famous series are usually the ones that stayed on our screens for many years, featuring multiple seasons and characters that felt like real people.
Classic shows like Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, or Friends are often mentioned. The debate over which one is truly the best will never end, and that variety is part of what makes television so special.
The Thorn Birds
There will always be a specific show that feels more personal and stays closer to our hearts than any other.
Even though long-running series are more common, there are famous examples of short miniseries that weren't meant to last long but still achieved "cult status" among fans.
One of the most famous examples is The Thorn Birds, which featured the incredible talents of Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, and Bryan Brown.
First airing in March 1983, over 30 million viewers in the US tuned in to watch the ten-hour epic based on Colleen McCullough’s popular 1977 Australian novel.
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The series became a massive cultural phenomenon, earning high praise from both fans and professional critics for its emotional story and the brilliant acting of its cast.
Rachel Ward
Even though it is ten hours long and was shown over five nights, The Thorn Birds is still viewed as a timeless classic that continues to find new fans today.
Rachel Ward played the lead role of Meggie Cleary, but at the time, it was a major surprise to many when she was chosen. It was revealed that producers struggled to find the right face for the role before realizing Ward was perfect.
Not only did this role give Ward her biggest career breakthrough, but it also allowed her to find her lifelong partner while working on the production.
This is the journey of Rachel Ward—and how she traveled across the globe to keep her deep passion for acting and storytelling alive.
Rachel Ward – Early Life
Born on September 12, 1957, in the English countryside of Oxfordshire, Ward attended Hatherop Castle School before moving on to the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. However, at the young age of 16, she decided to leave school to start a career in the fashion world.
Ward quickly became a successful fashion model, appearing on the iconic covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s & Queen. She eventually moved into acting after being cast in several popular television commercials.
Many years later, in 1995, she continued her education by earning a Graduate Diploma in Communications and Writing from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.
In 1979, Rachel Ward took her first step into film with Christmas Lilies of the Field. In the following years, she took on various small roles, but 1983 would be the year she became a household name across America.
Casting ‘The Thorn Birds’
Stan Marguiles was one of the lead producers for The Thorn Birds. However, finding the right actors to bring the characters to life was a very difficult process for the team.
Back in 1982, he spoke openly about the challenges they faced during the casting phase.
But the moment they saw Rachel Ward, they were absolutely certain they had found the perfect Meggie Cleary for the screen.
“The character has to age from 18 to her early 50s. She moves from a romantic young girl to a bitter woman in her 30s, and finally to a woman who finds understanding in her 50s. It requires a huge range of emotion,” he explained.
“When they first started using makeup to age me, it was actually a bit scary,” Ward remembered. “I had layers of makeup and body suits to change my shape, but I actually liked the older outfits because they felt more powerful and masculine.”
Over 200 women were originally considered for the part of Meggie Cleary, with 40 actresses eventually making it to the final audition stage.
While speaking with the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Ward looked back on that life-changing audition.
“My audition felt light and I tried to use humor,” she said. “I was serious about the work, but I wasn't trying too hard. Acting is very subjective, and I was told I was a 10/10 for my looks but only a 4/10 for my acting skills at the time.”
Golden Globe Nominated
The producers decided to send Ward to work with a professional acting coach, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. Starring with Richard Chamberlain, she became a fan favorite and received great reviews from critics.
In 1982, her hard work was recognized when she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film.
Her co-star Richard Chamberlain actually won a Golden Globe for his performance. The show itself was a massive success, winning four Golden Globes and six Emmy awards in total.
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“It was the ultimate height of television drama,” Chamberlain said. “I am still surprised by how successful it remains today. It was a story of one tragedy after another, which was sad but featured such unforgettable characters.”
Rachel Ward: “Felt Terribly”
Ward did not take a traditional path through acting school; instead, she learned her craft while working on active sets. When the show first aired, she felt she was the "weak link" compared to the other actors. She struggled with self-doubt for years after reading a few negative reviews in newspapers.
“I felt terrible, like I had let everyone down,” she told Closer. “I truly believed the show was a success in spite of my performance.”
However, years later, her own daughter watched the series and told her mother how fabulous she truly was. For Ward, that simple praise from her child was the most important feedback she could ever receive.
“It was a soap opera style, and I see it differently now,” Ward said. “Acting styles have changed over time. Mine was always very natural, and looking back, I think they were trying to make me play a style that wasn't my natural way.”
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Her role in the 1983 series was a massive step for her career. However, the time spent on the production was even more important for her personal life, as it led her to meet her future husband.
Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown
During the filming of The Thorn Birds, the chemistry between Ward and Chamberlain’s characters was so intense that it kept millions of viewers glued to their screens every night.
Chamberlain remembered that filming those romantic scenes was sometimes technically difficult.
“You have microphones hidden in strange places and you're trying not to mess up the makeup,” he told Closer with a laugh.
Even though the characters were in love on screen, the real-life romance was happening behind the scenes when the cameras weren't rolling.
Bryan Brown played the role of Meggie’s husband, Luke O’Neill, and during the shoot, he and Ward fell deeply in love.
“What people saw on the screen was actually happening in real life—that is why our chemistry felt so believable to the audience,” Ward told the Daily Express.
“Everyone on the set could see they were falling for each other. I’ve never seen two people more in love,” Chamberlain added, noting that Brown’s presence helped Ward feel more confident and happy during the long work days.
Married Months Later
It was clear to everyone that Ward and Brown had an incredible connection. She was very attracted to him, but when asked who spoke first, she jokingly says it was her.
“He was taking forever to make a move! I think I probably had to be the one to start things,” she said playfully.
Brown, however, jokingly claimed he was just being a "clever Aussie guy" by waiting for the perfect moment to approach her.
“And before they even realized what was happening, they were hooked!” the famous actor joked about their early days.
Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown were married only a few months after the filming of The Thorn Birds was completed.
The happy couple went on to raise three children together: Rose, Matilda, and Joseph.
So, what happened to Ward's life and career after the massive success of the miniseries?
She and Brown decided to move to Australia permanently, where Ward continued to star in many successful films and television projects.
Rachel Ward – This is Her Today
In 2001, she received another Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film On the Beach, proving her talent remained as strong as ever.
Her other famous acting credits include The Big House, Martha’s New Coat, and popular series like Rake and The Straits.
Ward eventually expanded her career by moving into producing and directing her own projects.
In addition to being an actress, wife, and mother, Ward has dedicated a large portion of her life to helping others and contributing to her community.
In 2005, she was honored with the Member of the Order of Australia for her work in raising awareness for social justice and helping disadvantaged young people.
In May 2019, Ward and Brown became grandparents for the first time when their daughter Matilda welcomed a son named Zan into the world.
Work with Daughter Matilda
Both of Matilda’s parents were by her side during the birth, which was a very emotional and special experience for the whole family.
“When I was in labor, my dad was holding my hand and my mum was cheering me on and crying with joy,” Matilda said. “It was so special to have both of them there during such a monumental moment.”
Recently, Ward shared photos of her newborn granddaughter on her Instagram, showing her joy in her role as a grandmother.
Many fans have noticed that Matilda looks exactly like a younger version of her famous mother!
While both mother and daughter chose the same career path, Rachel wasn't always sure about Matilda becoming an actress.
Spitting Image of Her Mother
“My mum actually told me not to become an actress at first,” Matilda remembered. “She encouraged me to learn the skills behind the camera, which I did, and I am very glad for that advice.”
In 2016, the mother-daughter duo finally worked together in the film The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, where they played the same character at different ages.
“We look so much alike that it was a great bonus for the film,” Rachel Ward said. “Plus, it’s rare to find great roles for women over 50, so it was a real treat to work on a project that celebrated that.”
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Rachel Ward was truly legendary as Meggie Cleary, and it is wonderful to see that she remains just as passionate and active in her life today.
Please share this story with your friends and family to honor the amazing career of Rachel Ward!
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