Simmone Jade Mackinnon reflects on the final ever episode of McLeod's Daughters: 'I didn't want it to end'
EXCLUSIVE: Back to Drovers Run is a brand new weekly video series exclusively on nine.com.au. Each week, Simmone Jade Mackinnon will be reflecting on her role as Stevie Hall in the beloved Aussie series McLeod's Daughters.
Watch Episode 6 in the video above.
It's been over a decade since McLeod's Daughters aired its final episode, but for Simmone Jade Mackinnon, the memories of playing Stevie Hall and bidding farewell to Drovers Run remain as vivid as ever.
On January 31, 2009 the beloved Aussie drama wrapped up with an emotional two-part finale on Channel 9 and according to Mackinnon, it was a bittersweet experience.
"I didn't want the show to end, to be honest," she admitted.
"I could have stayed on the show for another five years. I loved Stevie and the way she was evolving, but I thought they had to finish it in some way."
The final scene of the series features all the remaining female characters taking one last ride around Drovers Run. Nine
The show's finale brought together longtime fans and characters for a fitting send-off, complete with surprise revelations and heartwarming reunions.
"Then of course having Jodi and Meg (Rachael Carpani and Sonia Todd) come back in right at the end and [the reveal of] Jodi being pregnant. I mean, how else were we gonna end it?" Mackinnon laughed.
While fans were glued to their screens, the cast and crew were navigating their own whirlwind of emotions during the final days on set.
"What I remember was… well, it was very emotional for sure for everybody because we're a family," the actress shared.
Rachael Carpani and Sonia Todd made a special return for the McLeod's Daughters finale. Nine
Amid the nostalgia, Mackinnon vividly recalls the practical challenges of filming in rural South Australia.
"I also remember the heat," she laughed. "It was very, very hot and very, very dry. I think there was a day where we had about 1,000 cattle. That's a lot of cattle."
Despite the challenges, Mackinnon remains proud of the show's legacy.
"It was just sad... but then, you look forward to things. If McLeod's hadn't finished exactly when it finished, I wouldn't have become a mum when I did," she explained.
"It was sad back then. But in hindsight, it was perfect."
Mackinnon often hears from fans who share deeply personal stories about how McLeod's Daughters touched their lives.
In one of the show's final scenes, Mackinnon's character Stevie reminds the characters (and the audience) that we are family. Nine
"People come from all around the world saying, 'I used to watch it with my mum or my nana, and she's now passed. But I go back and watch it 'cos it feels like she's there.'"
Overcome with emotion, Mackinnon added: "I just think that's extraordinary, and I just, I do not know another show that has such heart that has made people react this way all these years later.
"It makes me so proud to know that I was a part of a TV show that can do this."
Mackinnon will be sharing more stories about her time on McLeod's Daughters soon – join us then for Back to Drovers Run and watch previous episodes below.
Stream every episode ever of McLeod's Daughters for free on 9Now.
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