Drama

McLeod's Daughters

This Australian drama follows two sisters who are reunited following the death of their father. When they jointly inherit the cash-strapped family ranch, city slicker Tess (Bridie Carter, 800 Words) and farm girl Claire (Lisa Chappell) work to save the property and rebuild their relationship.

The World Really Needed McLeod's Daughters

3m 7s

Bridie Carter on "the magic and the challenge" of shooting entirely on location. "We shot entirely on film and entirely on location. There was absolutely no studio whatsoever; and so it was hard going. It was bitterly cold in winter and ridiculously hot in summer. But...I really embraced that. And we never had to reach, we didn't have to reach too far for the truth of anything."

Extras + Features

  • The World Really Needed McLeod's Daughters: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The World Really Needed McLeod's Daughters

    3m 7s

    Bridie Carter on "the magic and the challenge" of shooting entirely on location. "We shot entirely on film and entirely on location. There was absolutely no studio whatsoever; and so it was hard going. It was bitterly cold in winter and ridiculously hot in summer. But...I really embraced that. And we never had to reach, we didn't have to reach too far for the truth of anything."

  • That Time My Brother Threw A Dead Snake On Me: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    That Time My Brother Threw A Dead Snake On Me

    2m

    Self-described "inner-city girl," Bridie Carter, shares her similarities to her character, Tess. "My father always had a connection to the countryside and the bush. So we had a house in the country from when I was a very little girl...But you know, it's very different visiting the bush to actually living and breathing it."

  • Bridie Shoutout To Fans: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Bridie Shoutout To Fans

    45s

    Bridie Carter, who plays Tess, gives a shoutout to fans and encourages viewers to watch.

  • Horse Riding Boot Camp 101: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Horse Riding Boot Camp 101

    2m 4s

    Bridie Carter details her first days on set - including why the producers "had absolute heart attacks!" "So of course I said to the producers, 'Yes I can ride!' She further explains that she rode as a little girl and was obsessed with horses, "but to ride and to RIDE are two entirely different things."

  • Shoo Flies, I've Got Lip Gloss On!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Shoo Flies, I've Got Lip Gloss On!

    1m 40s

    Just because you're on a rigorous shooting schedule, nature doesn't care, Bridie Carter graphically recalls "It was incredibly grueling. But you know, once again, it's that challenge. I suppose, that I embrace; and we needed to throw ourselves in, you know, completely...[And] it's only sometimes, if terrible things happen - or we have to catch up - [that] we shoot on a weekend."

  • Gungellan Is Actually...: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gungellan Is Actually...

    1m 50s

    It may be fictional in "McLeod's Daughters," but Bridie Carter says you can really find it in Australia. "Gungellan is actually a little real town called Freeling. So the main property, Drover's Run, was about an hour north of Adelaide...Most actors, a lot of them stayed around that homestead. I'm always different. For me, when I work, it's really important to maintain Bridie and me and my life."

  • "Things Did Go Wrong, Often": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "Things Did Go Wrong, Often"

    1m 35s

    Sheering sheep and all of the other rigors of working on a farm are as rough as it looks, Bridie Carter attests. "Yes, yes absolutely it was all hard. Once again, I was meant to be a novice, thank God, so I din't have to look proficient in it. But yeah, all that stuff was really hard and really physical. But I'm a physical actor and I love that...That was another wonderful thing about the show."

  • "Our Sister Scenes," Deconstructed: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "Our Sister Scenes," Deconstructed

    3m 55s

    Here's how Bridie Carter says she and Lisa Chappell prepared for that moment Tess and Claire are under the stars: "It was the first moment that they were quiet and that they stopped and they really listened to each other and their guards were down. They let go. And it was extremely private and they were both vulnerable...So yes, we absolutely talked about that, and then we could just let it go."

  • This Old House (And That Cellar!): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    This Old House (And That Cellar!)

    1m 40s

    "It was built in the 1800s and that sandstone was brought over from the original family from Scotland. And the floor - the top level floor - would sort of slowly start to sink as the years went on...That house was another character. And the house had stories within it."

  • Keep Calm, And The Wranglers Close: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Keep Calm, And The Wranglers Close

    1m 20s

    They say never work with animals and children. "They" apparently didn't work on "McLeod's Daughter," Bridie Carter reports. "The animals were always looked after and if anything big had to happen we always had vets on set...And we had vegan actors on set who really, you know, some people really struggled with that... Everyone, everything and every beast was always extremely well cared for."

  • B32  Ad Libs? Um, No: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    B32 Ad Libs? Um, No

    1m 15s

    "I'm old school," Bridie Carter concedes. "So, you know, my script is my blueprint. And it is for us here - you know, especially on shows like 'McLeod's' - there's no, you know [departing from that]. Your job is to do a hell of a lot of preparation and turn up with all of that. And then, essentially, throw the work away and be present, I suppose...To be frank, there just wasn't the time."

  • Creating The Brilliant Tension Between Claire And Tess: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Creating The Brilliant Tension Between Claire And Tess

    2m 28s

    "We never just did a scene," Bridie Carter says. "Because it was about human relationships; so we always wanted to do that...I think Posie Graham Evans, the creator and producer of the show, did the most wonderful casting with Lisa and I because we are really different women and there was so much chemistry there...And that was wonderful and tough at times...We are actually like sisters today."

Schedule

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