The Thorn Birds
Created by Carmen Culver, Lee Stanley
On ABC
A sweeping, melancholic family saga centered on a doomed romance between a woman and a Catholic priest, grappling with faith, duty, and the cost of forbidden love across decades.
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.
Genres
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is The Thorn Birds sad? Yes, very. More sad than 99% of series.
Is The Thorn Birds one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 99% of series.
Does The Thorn Birds leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 81% of series.
Is The Thorn Birds easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 75% of series.
Is The Thorn Birds scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 70% of series.
Is The Thorn Birds violent? Not especially. Less violent than 65% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like The Thorn Birds, and what each one shares →
Like The Thorn Birds
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Thorn Birds
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Thorn Birds, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Thorn Birds, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Thorn Birds, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
