One of the greatest challenges any remake faces is proving that it deserves to exist in the first place. Take Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, for instance. The argument over which adaptation is the best will probably continue forever, with fans endlessly debating which version of Mr. Darcy is the most swoonworthy. It may be that hardly anyone was asking for another adaptation of My Brilliant Career, Miles Franklin’s 1901 novel, but nearly five decades have passed since Gillian Armstrong’s Oscar-nominated film arrived on screen. From that perspective, the story was arguably ready for another adaptation.
That is where showrunner and co-writer Liz Doran comes in. She developed this new version of the classic romantic drama for Netflix, and the series naturally recalls some of the more recent period dramas in the genre. Its soundtrack, packed with contemporary pop and rock tracks, gently brings to mind shows such as Bridgerton and The Buccaneers. Meanwhile, its fiercely independent heroine, who dreams of becoming a successful writer, has something in common with characters from Little Women and Dickinson. Even so, Doran’s version of My Brilliant Career confidently establishes its own identity. It preserves the strongest qualities of Franklin’s original novel while making carefully considered changes that bring the story into the present, creating a remake that feels both enduring and surprisingly contemporary.
What Is ‘My Brilliant Career’ About?
Sybylla Melvyn (Philippa Northeast) was raised in modest circumstances, but she has ambitions for her future that go far beyond what anyone might expect of a young woman living in Australia in the early 1900s. The countryside around her has provided plenty of material for her writing, but she also wonders whether staying at home, surrounded by her family, will prevent her from experiencing everything life has to offer. She certainly doesn’t anticipate her grandmother, Winifred Bossier (Anna Chancellor), suddenly asking her to come and live at her estate, Caddagat.
Sybylla’s immediate reaction is to turn down the invitation, particularly because her mother, Lucy (Mirrah Foulkes), has been separated from the rest of the family for many years. Once Sybylla discovers that Mrs. Bossier hopes to find her a husband, something that directly conflicts with her dream of becoming a professional writer, she decides to make the most of her stay at Caddagat anyway. She outwardly goes along with her grandmother’s plans while secretly devoting herself to writing the novel she hopes will give her genuine independence, both financially and personally.
Once Sybylla arrives at Caddagat, a constant conflict develops between the expectations placed on her and her naturally rebellious personality. She is far more inclined to embarrass her grandmother by launching into an energetic dance at a formal gathering or performing an intensely sensual poem in front of potential suitors. Even though Sybylla’s refusal to conform threatens Mrs. Bossier’s matchmaking efforts, her unconventional personality also helps her form several new friendships and may even lead her toward romance.
Her gentle and compassionate aunt Helen (Genevieve O’Reilly), along with Mrs. Bossier’s unconventional neighbor Augusta Beecham (Kate Mulvany), quietly support Sybylla’s ambitions. At the same time, Augusta’s attractive nephew Harry (Christopher Chung) and the Bossiers’ English foreman, Frank Hawden (Jake Dunn), both find themselves potentially competing for Sybylla’s affection.
Philippa Northeast’s Fearless Performance Leads ‘My Brilliant Career’s Fantastic Ensemble
It is difficult to determine whether My Brilliant Career’s success ultimately rests on its leading actress, but after watching all six episodes for review, one thing is clear: Philippa Northeast seems perfectly suited to play Sybylla Melvyn. Her highly expressive performance fits a young woman who spent much of her childhood living freely and now struggles against the limitations society places on her, sometimes quite literally through painfully uncomfortable footwear. Sybylla is direct about her opinions and never apologizes for her judgments, yet her creative nature also depends on a deeply sensitive heart that can easily be hurt when she allows herself to become vulnerable.
As the central figure around whom the entire miniseries revolves, Northeast creates an immensely appealing heroine. Watching her portray Sybylla’s moments of intense happiness alongside her deepest periods of sadness is one of the show’s greatest pleasures.
With Northeast driving the story, Sybylla enters Caddagat like a force of nature, disrupting the established order wherever she goes. The rest of My Brilliant Career’s cast then functions as either a counterbalance or a source of support, depending on the circumstances. Chancellor’s Mrs. Bossier combines commanding authority with a concealed tenderness that gradually becomes more visible as Sybylla wins her over, along with the other members of the household.
O’Reilly, who was arguably one of Andor’s strongest performers across its two seasons, brings a similar strength to her role as Helen. She tempers that presence with a quiet reserve that eventually opens into much stronger emotion. Harry Beecham may be the kind of romantic hero that Slow Horses’ Roddy Ho would imagine himself to be, but Chung gives the character his own irresistibly dreamy quality, following in the footsteps of the actor Neill who played him previously. He could easily become the internet’s next favorite boyfriend. Meanwhile, Dunn’s Frank Hawden initially shares a warm and friendly relationship with Sybylla, but their connection gradually develops into something less platonic, revealing an unexpected emotional vulnerability along the way.
‘My Brilliant Career’ Is a Refreshingly Modern Period Drama Remake
The contemporary qualities of My Brilliant Career become apparent almost immediately. The episode titles appear across the screen in bold lettering, while the soundtrack features music from Australian artists ranging from Isabella Manfredi to Thelma Plum. Both musicians even appear within the story as performers. Much like Sybylla herself, the remake announces its personality confidently and without hesitation from its opening moments.
The changes made in adapting the novel for television also appear to have been approached thoughtfully, particularly when it comes to how they affect the wider story. The show’s inclusive casting, for example, serves a meaningful purpose rather than functioning as superficial decoration. First Nations characters such as Nell (Sherry-Lee Watson), Caddagat’s horse trainer and aspiring foreman, and her sister Betty (Miah Madden), who works as a housemaid, are both employed by Mrs. Bossier. They understand that, because of their position and their employer’s greater wealth and privilege, they must work twice as hard to receive even half the recognition.
Harry’s Chinese heritage through his mother is similarly placed in tension with his family’s financial status. His wealth cannot always shield him from the uglier forms of prejudice that remain present within certain social circles. Importantly, the series does not define its marginalized characters solely through their suffering. Their happiness, achievements, and personal victories receive just as much attention, including several genuinely sweet romantic subplots, alongside their disappointments and struggles. A period drama that seriously considers how each character might have been affected by the realities of Australia’s colonial era feels particularly refreshing within the genre.
With a concise six-episode run, My Brilliant Career never feels as though it has overstayed its welcome. The miniseries finds a satisfying middle ground between historical authenticity and character-focused changes, recognizing the lasting strength of Franklin’s original novel while reshaping it into a story that feels remarkably relevant to a new generation.
Northeast fills Sybylla with the passion, determination, and intensity the role requires, while a charismatic ensemble surrounds her and contributes something essential to her emotional journey toward self-discovery. By the time Sybylla’s story reaches its conclusion, complete with all of its unexpected emotional turns, you may find yourself wanting to return immediately to the first episode and experience everything again. For a remake, it is difficult to ask for a better compliment than that.
My Brilliant Career is now streaming on Netflix.