Family: Caitlin Kirkpatrick (daughter), Adrian (older brother), Chrissie (mother), Daniel and Megan (grandchildren). When she was only six months old, her father - James Downs - was killed in North Africa, where he was
stationed as a soldier.
Jobs before making it as an actress include working in a dress shop and
being a doctor's receptionist.
Before working in Prisoner most of Maggie's roles were extensively in theatre, and she admitted that she was so nervous coming onto Prisoner that the 'stillness of Joan' came from Maggie's nervousness.
Auditioned for Vera Bennett in Prisoner (1979) but didn't get the role. A few years later she would join the cast as Joan Ferguson.
Ranked 4th out of 25 with over 100 appearances on Prisoner (1979). Kirkpatrick appeared in 389 episodes.
Starred on Silverchair's music video "Anthem for the Year 2000". She later found out that her niece and nephew went to school with the members of the band.