McLeod's Daughters BACK IN THE SADDLE!
Nine years after the end of the beloved Aussie TV drama we catch up with our favourite stars – and they’re ready to return to Drovers Run!
Fans were overjoyed at the news series creator Posie Graeme-evans was working on a Mcleod’s Daughters reboot, bringing it back to Nine.
And while initial talks broke down, Woman’s Day has spoken to several former cast members who reckon there’s still a big chance the family favourite drama will return – with them refilling their beloved characters’ shoes!
Simmone Jade Mackinnon, who played Stevie from 2003 to 2009, would love nothing more than to bring Mcleod’s back to life. Now focused on raising her son Madigan, seven, Simmone is often in touch with her Mcleod’s co-stars, including Michala Banas, Rachael Carpani, Luke Jacobz, Aaron Jeffery and Zoe Naylor. And she says she’s not alone in hoping Posie finds a way to retool the series.
“I don’t speak to everyone, but the ones I do speak to I know would be interested in revisiting it,” she tells Woman’s Day.
ROAD TRIP
Simmone, 44, recently sold her home in Coffs Harbour to travel Australia by caravan, homeschooling Madigan on the road.
With no final destination, she says she’s letting “fate and the weather” decide where she heads. “But hopefully South Australia – and Mcleod’s would be a good little stop-off,” she laughs.
Bridie Carter, who was nominated for multiple TV Week Logie awards for her role as Tess on the show, says fans often talk to her about Mcleod’s.
Currently in Seven’s hit series 800 Words, Bridie says she’s thrilled the show still resonates.
“People look deeply into my eyes and I have lovely people stopping me all the time,” she says of the Mcleod’s effect.
‘It will be more of that quintessential Mcleod’s’
Brett Tucker went to LA after Mcleod’s wrapped, landing roles in shows including NCIS and Castle off the back of his role as fan favourite Dave. But having recently returned home for ABC series Newton’s Law, he wouldn’t rule out returning to Mcleod’s should the Drovers Run gang make their way back on TV.
“Working in your own country is kind of a relief to be honest,” he recently said. “I’ve missed being part of the industry.”
CROWDFUNDING
Having found love on the set of Mcleod’s and now with a family of their own, Aaron, 47, and Zoe, 40, are among many of the actors who continue to celebrate the show. Along with other cast members Myles Pollard and Lisa Chappell, the pair (who played Alex and Regan in the series) organise meet and greet events for fans, who now hope the door will be open for many of the actors, including Jessica Napier, who played Becky from 2001 to 2003, to return. And creator Posie says she will source crowdfunding in order to get the show up and running.
So what can we expect when that happens? Simmone says the core values will remain no matter where it picks up with the Drovers Run gang. “The beauty of Mcleod’s is that it’s timeless and that’s why people keep re-watching it,” she says of the original seasons. “Posie is set on keeping it exactly as it was. So it will be more of that quintessential Mcleod’s – beautiful sunsets, the Australian countryside, the strong women, the love, the heart and the grit. Posie is such a genius she could go forward in time, she could go backwards in time – there are so many things she could do. “I’ll be keen to watch it again whether I’m in it or not. I’d just love to see it back.”