My Brilliant Career Ending Explained: Why Sybylla Chooses Her Writing Over Marriage

Netflix subscribers have wasted little time getting through My Brilliant Career, the six-part costume drama adapted from Australian author Miles Franklin’s acclaimed 1901 novel. At the centre of the story is Sybylla Melvyn, played by Philippa Northeast, an aspiring writer whose family is facing financial ruin because of her father’s crippling debts.

With marriage seen as the family’s best hope of escaping poverty, Sybylla is sent to live with her grandmother, Mrs Bossier, played by Anna Chancellor, at the Caddagat estate. There, she is expected to learn the manners and social graces that could help her attract a wealthy husband.

But Sybylla has other ambitions. She longs to experience more of the world and pursue a career as a writer, putting her increasingly at odds with the expectations placed upon her.

Her situation becomes even more complicated when she meets wealthy landowner Harry Beecham, played by Christopher Chung, and visiting English gentleman Frank Howden, played by Jake Dunn. Sybylla develops feelings for both men as she struggles to decide what kind of life she really wants.

Sybylla is forced to repay her family’s debts

Sybylla eventually finds herself working for the McSwat family, where she spends a year as both a governess and a servant to help clear her family’s debts.

Life is difficult, but she tells herself that the hardship will last only a year. During this period, she continues writing and sends letters to Harry, although he does not respond.

Harry is away roving and trying to earn enough money to recover his Five Bob estate, leaving Sybylla uncertain about their future.

Sybylla finds a way out

When the year is finally over, Sybylla discovers that she has another 12 months of work ahead of her because her father has accumulated even more debt.

Rather than accept another year of servitude, she comes up with a plan involving the McSwats’ eldest son. Sybylla convinces his parents that the two of them are romantically involved, knowing that such a relationship could damage his prospects of marrying a more suitable woman.

The McSwats are horrified by the possibility and agree to clear Sybylla’s remaining debt, provided she never mentions the supposed romance again and leaves immediately.

Sybylla returns to her family at Possum Gulley with the news that they are now free of their debts. She also makes it clear that her father will no longer be able to borrow money from the McSwats.

Harry proposes, but Sybylla chooses herself

Harry eventually returns after spending a year roving. He intends to marry Sybylla and take her away from her family home.

Instead, Sybylla turns him down.

She believes that marriage would ultimately make both of them unhappy. More importantly, she fears that becoming Harry’s wife would force her to abandon her ambition to become a writer.

For Sybylla, the decision marks the clearest statement of what she wants from life. Despite her feelings for Harry, she chooses to pursue her own ambitions rather than enter a marriage that could prevent her from doing so.

As a result, Sybylla finishes the story without choosing either of the men in her life.

What happened between Sybylla and Frank?

Sybylla had previously been engaged to Frank, but she ended the relationship after realising what would be expected of her if she became part of his family.

Frank had told her that they could truly be themselves only when they were together, but Sybylla came to understand that marriage would still require her to change in ways she was unwilling to accept.

Her decision was also influenced by Harry’s relationship with Blanche Derrick, played by Ines English. After discovering that Harry was no longer with Blanche, Sybylla broke away from her own engagement.

She left her engagement party and shared an intimate encounter with Harry, with both of them admitting their love for one another.

The pair eventually decided they would marry. But Harry then lost his entire fortune and had to go roving to earn money. He told Sybylla not to wait for him.

She did wait for him, at least initially, before ultimately changing her mind and deciding that marriage was not the future she wanted.

What happens to Sybylla’s family?

While Sybylla is making her own choices, the rest of her family faces changes of their own.

Her aunt Helen, played by Genevieve O’Reilly, leaves for Sydney to find work after her husband Julius, played by Alexander England, is given control of the farm.

Sybylla’s sister Gertie, played by Ella Oliphant, also appears likely to marry soon. Unlike Sybylla, Gertie could secure a marriage that would leave her in a considerably stronger financial position.

Ultimately, Sybylla’s failure to make a marriage match matters less to her than preserving the freedom to follow her writing ambitions.

My Brilliant Career is streaming on Netflix now.