Starting life in 1996 as an Australian-made-for-TV movie, McLeod’s Daughters had half-sisters Tess (Bridie Carter) and Claire (Lisa Chappell) inherit their late father’s rural cattle property in South Australia (‘Drover’s Run’), overcoming their unfamiliarity with each other and the farm workers’ condescension.
Although the movie achieved record ratings, the spin-off series from the Nine Network was delayed, in part, by misgivings about the viability of female-driven drama. Ultimately, however, the show proved a hit.
The grittiness of the movie gave way to gloss, but viewers flocked to the tales of family, friends, and foes, and by 2003, it was Australia’s most popular TV drama, making stars of Bridie Carter, Lisa Chappell, and Rachael Carpani (as farmhand Jodi Fountain).
The show’s popularity survived the killing off of Chappell’s character, but soapy silliness eventually got the better of quality drama, and the axe fell in 2009.
At its height, however, the series broke fresh ground. Unusually for an Australian export, it acquired a dedicated following in the United States. At home, it was the first prime-time drama to emerge from South Australia.
Claire McLeod
Lisa Chappell Tess Silverman McLeod
Bridie Carter Meg Fountain
Sonia Todd Jodi Fountain
Rachael Carpani Becky Howard
Jessica Napier Alex Ryan
Aaron Jeffery Nick Ryan
Myles Pollard Harry Ryan
Marshall Napier Stevie Hall
Simmone Mackinnon Kate Manfredi
Michala Banas Dave Brewer
Brett Tucker Patrick Brewer
Luke Jacobz Terry Dodge
John Jarratt Moira Doyle
Doris Younane
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