A fiercely ambitious woman. A sunburnt Australian landscape. A century-old coming-of-age tale that still hits like it was written yesterday. My Brilliant Career, Miles Franklin’s trailblazing 1901 novel, is being reimagined for a new generation – this time as a Netflix original series.
Originally brought to screen in 1979 with Judy Davis in a star-making turn, the story’s feminist charge remains electric. Now, in the hands of Netflix and a powerhouse local creative team, My Brilliant Career is poised to become a cultural touchstone once more.
It’s been a privilege to reimagine Miles Franklin’s rollicking tale of a young woman’s quest to determine her own life,” executive producer Liz Doran said of the adaptation. And indeed, Sybylla’s story – a teenager choosing career over marriage – feels more relevant than ever.
Who is in the cast?
Announced this week, the adaptation will star Territory’s Philippa Northeast as Sybylla Melvyn, a rebellious aspiring writer navigating girlhood and self-determination in 1890s rural Australia.
She’ll be joined by Christopher Chung (Slow Horses) as Harry, Genevieve O’Reilly (Andor) as Helen, Anna Chancellor (Outrageous) as Mrs Bossier, and Kate Mulvany (Hunters) as Augusta.
The ensemble also features rising local stars like Sherry-Lee Watson, Jake Dunn and Miah Madden.
Where will it be filmed?
The production, led by Jungle Entertainment, is set to film across South Australia with Adelaide Studios as its base.
“There’s no better home for this production than South Australia,” added Netflix’s Minyoung Kim.
What is it about?
My Brilliant Career is the story of Sybylla Melvyn, a fiercely independent young woman in 1890s rural Australia who rejects societal expectations of marriage and domesticity. Dreaming of a life devoted to art and intellect, she battles class constraints, gender roles, and her own desires. It's a coming-of-age rebellion wrapped in dust, wit, and yearning.
When will it be released?
With production still in early stages, it's likely we won't see the series on the streaming platform until at least 2026.
