Trivia for
"The Thorn Birds" (1983) More at IMDb Pro »

• The role of Mary Carson was offered to Audrey Hepburn.
  
  
• Many actresses tested for the role of Meggie, including Michelle Pfeiffer. Finally, it came down to two actresses, Rachel Ward, and Jane Seymour. Producers liked Seymour's acting much better, but felt she was too strong an actress and lacked the vulnerability needed to play Meggie. So the part went to Ward.
  
  
• Producers found the conditions of shooting in Australia to be impossible. Most of the sheep ranches were to far out in the middle of nowhere for film crews to get to, and the requirements placed on American film crews to shoot in Australia were unrealistic. So the entire ranch, Drohgeda was built in California.
  
  

• Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown fell in love on the set. They were married in 1983 and have three children.
  
  
• According to Rachel Ward, the water that Ralph and Meggie were swimming in on Matlock Island was ice cold.
  
  
• Olivia Newton-John auditioned for the part of Meggie.
  
  
• Tristan Rogers was heavily considered to play the role of Father Ralph.
  
  
• Kim Basinger was interested in and considered for the role of Meggie.
  
  

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