Series

Watch The Thorn Birds (1983) Online

7.2134 votes1983TV-PG2h 1mEndedDrama

Synopsis

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.

Episodes

Miniseries

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1. Part 1Now viewing1983-03-272h 24m9.0When the wealthy but now elderly owner of a large sheep farm in the outback of Australia realizes that her affections towards a banished but ambitious young priest will never be returned, she sets out to manipulate his life and career from the grave once she discovers him giving his attention to her young niece instead.
2. Part 21983-03-281h 37m8.8Having left Australia with a significant sum of holdings in hand willed to the Catholic Church by the wealthy socialite and sheep farmer Mary Carson, Father Ralph de Bricassart finds himself courted by power brokers within the Vatican. Meanwhile, the Drogheda Ranch suffers a devastating brush fire that spawns more tragedy in the Cleary family, and eventually leads to an uneasy reunion between Meggie and Father de Bricassart. However Meggie soon meets a young suitor who captures her heart.
3. Part 31983-03-291h 37m8.8Now married, living on a sugar cane plantation, and working as a maid in Queensland, Meggie finds her new husband is more interested in his own work and dalliances than in her. She bears him a child but is still unable to change his ways. Meanwhile, Father de Bricassart has moved up in the Church hierarchy and eventually returns to Australia as a Cardinal. And in yet another uneasy reunion between himself and Meggie, he finally succumbs to temptation by consummating forbidden love and breaking his vow of chastity.
4. Part 41983-03-302h 24m8.8Meggie has repeated the mistakes of her past by favoring her son over her daughter. She finally admits the truth about Dane's paternity to Ralph and reconciles with both her mother Fee and her daughter Justine.

Cast

Top Billed 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

Availability

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Thorn Birds available to watch online?

Yes - see the "Where to watch legally" section on this page for streaming, rental and purchase options.

How many seasons does The Thorn Birds have?

The Thorn Birds has 1 season and 4 episodes.

When did The Thorn Birds first air?

The Thorn Birds first aired in 1983.

Is The Thorn Birds still running?

The Thorn Birds's status on TMDB is: Ended.

What genre is The Thorn Birds?

The Thorn Birds is classified as Drama.