Netflix has commenced production on a series adaptation of Miles Franklin’s seminal Australian novel “My Brilliant Career,” with filming underway at Adelaide Studios and various South Australian locations.
The streaming giant is partnering with Jungle Entertainment on the period drama, which marks a fresh take on Franklin’s 1901 coming-of-age tale that captured the aspirations of young Australian women seeking independence and self-determination.
Set in rural Australia at the turn of the 20th century, the series follows Sybylla Melvyn, a spirited and ambitious young woman who dreams of literary fame and refuses to conform to the limited expectations placed upon women of her era. Born into a struggling farming family, Sybylla must navigate the constraints of her social circumstances while pursuing her artistic ambitions and grappling with questions of love, duty, and personal fulfillment. Her journey becomes a bold assertion of female independence in a society that offers few options beyond marriage and motherhood.
Philippa Northeast (“Territory,” “The Newsreader”) leads the cast as protagonist Sybylla, joined by Christopher Chung (“Slow Horses,” “Blitz”) as Harry, Anna Chancellor (“My Lady Jane,” “Outrageous”) as Mrs Bossier, and Genevieve O’Reilly (“Andor,” “The Dry”) as Helen. The ensemble also features Kate Mulvany (“Hunters,” “Elvis”) as Augusta, Jake Dunn (“What It Feels Like For a Girl,” “The Ballad of Renegade Nell”) as Frank, Alexander England (“Black Snow,” “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”) as Julius, Sherry-Lee Watson (“Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Heartbreak High”) as Nell, and Miah Madden (“Paper Dolls,” “The Clearing”) as Betty.
Franklin’s novel has been adapted previously, most notably in Gillian Armstrong’s Oscar-nominated 1979 feature film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill, which launched both actors to international prominence and became a landmark of Australian cinema. It won several Australian Film Institute awards including best film and director. Davis won the best actress and best newcomer BAFTAs.
Executive producer and writer Liz Doran (“Barons,” “Please Like Me”) is spearheading the adaptation. “It’s been a privilege to work with so many incredible creatives on this reimagining of Miles Franklin’s rollicking tale of a young woman’s quest to determine her own life,” Doran said.
Jungle Entertainment’s Chloe Rickard (“Good Cop/Bad Cop,” “Population 11”) also serves as executive producer alongside Doran and Alyssa McClelland (“Amandaland,” “Sex Education”). “It’s thrilling to bring this Australian classic to a whole new audience,” Rickard noted. “Partnering with Netflix and fellow executive producers Liz Doran and Alyssa McClelland, with Philippa Northeast as our rebellious and witty Sybylla, has been the stuff that dreams are made of.”
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The series represents Netflix’s continued investment in Australian content, with Minyoung Kim, Netflix VP, content APAC (excluding India), emphasizing the story’s enduring relevance. “‘My Brilliant Career’ is a timeless Australian story with themes as relevant today as when it was originally published,” Kim said. “We’re excited to be partnering with some of Australia’s best creatives and talent to bring this story to a whole new generation on Netflix, and with its stunning locations, there’s no better home for this production than South Australia.”
The project has secured support from the South Australian Film Corporation, with CEO Kate Croser highlighting the production’s local impact. “We are delighted to welcome Netflix back to South Australia and Adelaide Studios along with award-winning production company Jungle Entertainment,” Croser said. “The SAFC is proud to support this exciting new series which will harness the world-class skills of a majority South Australian crew, led by top South Australian producer Paul Ranford.”
McClelland will direct the first three episodes as set-up director, with Anne Renton (“The Good Doctor,” “Good Cop/Bad Cop”) helming episodes four through six and serving as co-producer. Paul Ranford (“Territory,” “Stateless”) produces, with Courtney Wise (“On The Ropes,” “Dance Academy”) as co-executive producer.
The writing team includes Doran, Sarinah Masukor (“Population 11,” “Good Cop/Bad Cop”), and Rachael Turk (“Sunshine,” “The Principal”), with Shari Sebbens (“Top End Bub”) as associate producer.
Key department heads include production designer Felicity Abbott (“The Luminaries,” “The Invitation”), set-up director of photography Kieran Fowler (“Safe Home,” “Population 11”), costume designer Mariot Kerr (“Stateless,” “Roar”), and hair and makeup designer Zeljka Stanin (“Lion,” “Tracks”). Marden Dean (“Clickbait,” “Breath”) serves as block two director of photography, with casting by Nikki Barrett in Australia and Nathan Toth in the U.K.
From Variety US