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Season guide

The Thorn Birds: Miniseries

4 episodes Premiered Mar 27, 1983 Updated Jul 31, 2026

The Thorn Birds is a television miniseries that premiered in 1983. Based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Colleen McCullough, the production follows the Cleary family over the course of several decades. The overarching narrative centers on a tragic romance between Meggie and an ambitious Catholic priest named Ralph de Bricassart, who is continually torn between his sacred vows and his deep love for her.

Season overview

The Thorn Birds is a television miniseries that premiered in 1983. Based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Colleen McCullough, the production follows the Cleary family over the course of several decades. The overarching narrative centers on a tragic romance between Meggie and an ambitious Catholic priest named Ralph de Bricassart, who is continually torn between his sacred vows and his deep love for her. Set in Australia, the dramatic story explores the complex relationships and trials experienced by the characters across generations.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Part 1

Mar 27, 1983 · 144 min

When 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 re

S1·E2

Part 2

Mar 28, 1983 · 97 min

Having 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 fin

S1·E3

Part 3

Mar 29, 1983 · 97 min

Now 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

S1·E4

Part 4

Mar 30, 1983 · 144 min

Meggie 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