TV ShowEndedABCDrama

The Thorn Birds

Name: The Thorn Birds
Genre: Drama
Released: 1983-03-27
Duration: 45 min

1983 · 45m per ep · TV-PG · English · Australia

Follows the Cleary family over several decades, focusing on the central, tragic romance between Meggie and Father Ralph, who is torn between his vows and his love for her.

7.2(141 reviews)

9.4134% popularity

At a glance

Details

First air date: Mar 27, 1983
Last air date: Mar 30, 1983
Status: Ended
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Episode runtime: 45m
Original language: English
Country: Australia, United States of America
Network / platform: ABC
Creator / showrunner: Lee Stanley, Carmen Culver
Certification: TV-PG
Production companies: Warner Bros. Television, David Wolper-Stan Margulies Productions, Edward Lewis Productions

Where to watch

Streaming availability has not been added yet.

Keywords

based on novel or bookmineforbidden loveromancepriestminiserieslove affairroman catholic churchcatholicismcatholic priestvow of celibacyfamily saga

Seasons & episodes

Miniseries

1983 · 4 episodes

Follows the Cleary family over several decades, focusing on the central, tragic romance between Meggie and Father Ralph, who is torn between his vows and his love for her.

0 of 4 watched0%

Hide watched

S01E01

Episode 1

—

S01E02

Episode 2

—

S01E03

Episode 3

—

S01E04

Episode 4

—

Cast

Richard Chamberlain

Ralph de Bricassart

Rachel Ward

Meggie Cleary

Christopher Plummer

Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese

Bryan Brown

Luke O'Neill

Brett Cullen

Bob Cleary

Stephanie Faracy

Judy

Barry Corbin

Pete

John de Lancie

Alastair MacQueen

Barbara Stanwyck

Mary Carson

Media

Reviews & ratings

7.2

141 community reviews

AR
Alex Rivera6.2/103/18/2026
Binge-worthy
Every episode leaves you wanting more. The character arcs are exceptional.
52 found helpful
JK
Jordan Kim7.199999999999999/103/14/2026
Peak television
One of the best shows in its genre — tightly written and beautifully acted.
44 found helpful
SP
Sam Patel8.2/103/10/2026
Must-watch series
The season finales alone are worth the watch.
36 found helpful
ML
Morgan Lee6.2/103/6/2026
Brilliant writing
Gripping from the first scene. Already recommending to everyone.
28 found helpful
CW
Casey Wong7.199999999999999/103/2/2026
Slow burn payoff
Takes a few episodes to hit stride, then it's unstoppable.
20 found helpful