The stars of the American hit miniseries The Thorn Birds fell for each other on set – and happily are still deeply in love some 40 years later.
British actress Rachel Ward and Aussie Bryan Brown played Meggie and conflicted priest Ralph respectively in the show. While sparks didn’t fly onscreen – they definitely did in real life.
They met during filming and promptly got married in 1983 as soon as the show finished.
READ NEXT: Charmed and Soap star Rebecca Balding dies aged 73 after private cancer battle
The Thorn Birds was incredibly successful, in fact, it was the second highest-rated miniseries of all time in the US.
Bryan, 75, said: “It’s amazing to think Rachel and I have been married almost 40 years.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
“You cannot underestimate how huge the show was all over the world. I will always be more grateful to it for my 40-year marriage and family.”
He also told the Daily Mirror that he used to fancy her on set and read her palm – and even predicted she would have three children. Though neither knew at that stage it would be with each other!
Bryan is currently starring in a mystery drama on Acorn TV called Darby and Joan, opposite Greta Scacchi.
He also spoke about all the pressure on Rachel, 64, during The Thorn Birds – she beat the likes of Kim Basinger, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Newton-John to the role of Meggie.
He said: “There was a lot of attention on Rachel – it wasn’t something she could handle. I doubt anyone really would.
“But we had a great time making the show and ultimately we each met the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with.”
Previously Rachel joked that her attraction to Bryan, who has also starred in the likes of Cocktail and Gorillas in the Mist, was “basic” and she lusted after his pecs. Bryan was equally enamoured of Rachel, he said.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
The pair married in Rachel’s native Oxfordshire but now live near Sydney. They have three children, Rose, 38, Matilda, 35, and James, 30.
Matilda has also given them two grandchildren, Zan, three, and Anouk, one.
Bryan and Rachel love to travel and when not doing so, the couple spends some free time watching British telly via streaming platforms.
“We’re a big fan of Vera and Midsomer Murders,” Bryan added. “They’re very easy to watch, and I was attracted to Darby and Joan – it sits very easily among those kinds of series. It’s something I would want to watch myself.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
READ NEXT:
Ozzy Osbourne claims Hollywood home is ‘filled with evil’ as mystery figure ‘haunts’ him
Home Alone Buzz McCallister actor Devin Ratray under investigation for alleged rape
Sylvester Stallone’s rocky 25-year marriage as wife files for divorce
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
