Rachel Ward
Does anyone know why Rachel Ward didn't return as Meggie Cleary ??
I don't know for sure, but I think she should have. It doesn't matter if they changed all the cast but they should have had the two leading characters Richard and Rachel for it to be believable/successful
shareWhy didn't she return? She probably read the script!
Have a good time, all of the time
Viv Savage - Spinal Tap
A possible reason is the restriction in Australia that makes hiring non-Australian actors (or crew) difficult. In the"making-of" video on the original Thorn Birds DVD, the director states that they investigated filming it in Australia but were told they could use only a few (I forget how many) American actors and they had to include more Australians.
This was apparently filmed on location in Australia and a lot of the minor parts *were* played by Australians so that might have been a factor.
I read the critics really slammed her in the first one. Maybe that's why. She was sorely missed, as well as Bryan.