McLeod's Daughters

History
McLeod's Daughters started life as a 1996 telemovie starring Jack Thompson, Kym Wilson and Tammy MacIntosh. In 2001, the Nine Network launched the series about the fiery McLeod sisters and their constant battle to keep both their farm and their tumultuous relationships going. The series is currently in its sixth season.

In the beginning, the show revolved around half-sisters Claire (Lisa Chappell) and Tess (Bridie Carter) McLeod, who were reunited by their father's death. City girl Tess had left the family property, Drovers Run, as a child, while Claire had stayed on the farm. When Tess decided to stay at Drovers, she had to learn to get along with her sister, master horse-riding and farming and, above all, work out which of the attractive local boys she was going to choose...

Brothers Alex (Aaron Jeffery) and Nick (Myles Pollard) Ryan lived on the neighbouring property to Drovers, Killarney. Initially both brothers took a shine to Tess, but after quite a few false starts and hurdles, it was Nick who finally won her heart and her hand. Alex was not so lucky. He was all set to move in with Claire – despite the fact she'd recently had another man's baby – when tragedy struck. Claire was killed in an accident and Tess was left to raise her niece, Charlotte, and look after Drovers.

Fortunately, Tess was surrounded by a bunch of strong, capable women, including Stevie Hall (Simmone Jade Mackinnon), Kate Manfredi (Michala Banas) and Jodi Fountain (Rachael Carpani). Jodi was the daughter of Drovers housekeeper Meg (Sonia Todd), but she later found out that her father was actually Jack McLeod, making her and Tess half-sisters.

When Nick was offered a job in Argentina, Tess decided to go with him, leaving Stevie and the other girls to run the property, with a little help from Tess's newly-arrived cousin Regan (Zoe Naylor). Tess returned briefly to Drovers to discover that she was pregnant and that her husband's plane had crashed and he was missing, presumed dead. It later turned out that Nick was alive and well and he and Tess returned to Argentina, once again leaving the girls in charge.

Latest cast interview
We chat to Dustin Clare

Discussion Board
What do you think about McLeod's Daughters and its characters? Share your thoughts and opinions about the drama on its discussion board

Quiz
Think you know all about the farmers from Drovers Run? Take our McLeod's quiz!

Meet the characters
Stevie Hall played by Simmone Jade Mackinnon
Reckless, wild, anti-authoritarian, Stevie is similar to the horses she loves to tame and ride. After a shaky start at Drovers Run, including a few personality clashes and near-disasters, Stevie has settled in and now feels part of the Drovers family.
Simmone answers your reader questions

Alex Ryan played by Aaron Jeffery
He's a bit of a bad boy, a bit of a larrikin, a good mate and a favourite with the ladies. Like Stevie, he's a former rodeo star who likes to take risks. He's had to deal with a lot of dramas, including losing his first great love, finding out his dad wasn't really his dad and discovering his wife was a liar. Knowing how accident-prone and trouble-attracting his McLeod's neighbours are, there'll be more dramas to come.

Kate Manfredi played by Michala Banas
Over-achiever Kate can be a bit of a control freak, but she's still a popular member of the Drovers team. She and boarding school friend Jodi have offered each other support through various personal and health crises, but Kate's love-life could do with some more excitement.

Dustin Clare played by Riley Ward
Raised a military brat, Riley doesn't respond well to authority, but the jack-of-all-trades, who has a special affinity for horses, gets along well with the Drovers Run women (it doesn't hurt that he appreciates beautiful women!). He's got a quick temper, is intelligent and a bit of a loner, but he also has a kind heart, makes friends easily and sticks up for the underdog. He works hard, but he also enjoys relaxing with a beer with his bosses at the end of a long day.
Dustin answers your reader questions

Patrick Brewer played by Luke Jacobz
The brother of Dave the vet, Patrick made an impression when he parachuted into Drovers Run, but soon his "wildness" and "unpredictability" turned out to have a darker side. Like his father, who had taken his own life, Patrick turned out to have manic depression. He left to deal with his illness, but has returned to Gungellan, taken a job at Killarney and is starting to put down roots in the community. He wants to win back the affections of Kate Manfredi, who he almost killed in a dirtbike accident, and to see if a free spirit such as himself can settle down.

Moira Doyle played by Doris Younane
Moira is a proud, hard-working mother of three who separated from her husband after he cheated on her. She grew up in a family of boys, was a bit of a tomboy and became a mechanic, which came in handy when she had to find work after her marriage breakdown. But she also has psychic abilities and can sometimes see events in people's past and futures – a gift she doesn't always want. Moira has a dry sense of humour and a practical, positive approach to life and the Gungellan locals often turn to her for advice, especially the Drovers Run women for whom she works as a housekeeper and cook.

Read our interview with Doris here.

Tayler Geddes played by Gillian Alexy
Tayler is the new wild child on Drovers Run. When she first arrives, she is hell-bent on getting revenge on Regan, who she blamed for killing her father in a mining accident. However, when push comes to shove, Tayler finds she can't follow through with her plans. Regan attempts to talk her into staying but is there enough excitement for Tayler to want to stay?

Marcus Taylor played by Matt Passmore
Marcus is yet another son that Bryce had with a woman who was not his wife. A product of a country boarding school, Alex's half-brother was on the verge of a professional football career when he spiralled out of control thanks to drinking, fighting and womanising. Desperate to win back his father's approval, he took on jackarooing and then offered his services to his father despite loving his independence.
Matt answers your reader questions

Grace Kingston played by Abi Tucker
Feisty Grace Kingston is the daughter of Jack McLeod's brother, Hugh, but she took her mother's maiden name of Kingston after her parents' divorce. The opposite of her sister, Regan, in many ways, Grace is a wandering soul who is outgoing and sociable, but there's always a part she keeps to herself. The sisters had a falling-out in boarding school when Grace felt betrayed by Regan backing out of an attempt to impress some school bullies. The incident resulted in Grace being expelled. Fiercely loyal, Grace is in for the biggest challenge of her life now that she has inherited half of the family farm. Although she claims she's anti-love and was permanently scarred by her parents' troubled marriage, could she find herself staying at Drovers Run because she falls head-over-heels for the first time?