Tess McLeod

Biography
Tess McLeod is the third child and second-oldest daughter of Jack McLeod. She was born on Drover's Run in 1976 to Jack and his second wife, Ruth Silverman. She had an older half sister Claire and an older half brother Adam, who was stillborn. Tess left Drover's for Melbourne with her mother when she was five years old, after her parents marriage ended. Tess is married to Nick Ryan. She is portrayed by Bridie Carter.

Tess leaves Drovers to be with Nick who gets a job offer in Argentina. Tess later returns to Drovers Run without Nick, pregnant. Later she finds out that Nick has died in a plane crash leaving her widowed. Nick is later found alive, after being mugged in Argentina. Nick returns to Drovers but misses the job in Argentina. Tess encourages Nick to leave Drovers to take the job in Argentina. In future episodes it is discovered that Tess has a baby girl and calls her Claire.

Physical Appearance
In the TV series adaptation, Tess's hair is a dirty blonde (but is super extremely long and curly), with blue eyes and pale skin.

Season 1
Tess shows up on the Drover's Run farm and tries to fit in. Claire wants nothing to do with her and thinks that Tess is trying to sell the farm for profit. Tess gets into a fight with Claire after trying to settle what to do with the farm. To let off some steam, Tess goes for a walk, accidently leaving the gate open so that the cattle get out.