Netflix continues to add to its Aussie drama slate with an adaptation of My Brilliant Career.
Based on the novel by Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career tells the story of Sybylla Melvyn (Philippa Northeast), who is not happy with the options available to a young woman. She wants to make a living in the arts, specifically as a writer, while those around her are determined, for one reason or another, to have her safely married off. It is 1900, so this makes perfect sense, but our heroine from Possum Gully is so headstrong that she refuses to play by society’s rules.
A surprise invitation to stay on her grandmother, Winifred Bossier’s (Anna Chancellor) estate has Sybylla initially wanting to reject the summons so she can focus on her writing. But she quickly changes her mind and decides to use the trip as inspiration.
It is here that she meets Aunt Helen (Genevieve O’Reilly), who offers her support. Then there’s Augusta Beecham (Kate Mulvany), who quietly encourages Sybylla to pursue her dreams, while Augusta’s handsome nephew Harry (Christopher Chung) vies for her heart, as does English foreman Frank Hawden (Jake Dunn).
Rounding out the cast of characters is Caddagat horse trainer and aspiring foreman Nell (Sherry-Lee Watson), and her housemaid sister Betty (Miah Madden), both of whom work for Winifred.
Liz Doran updates the Australian classic without losing the essence of the story. Philippa Northeast steals the show as our heroine, while Kate Mulvaney gets to show just how versatile she is.
My Brilliant Career may be a 159-year-old story, but this 6-part adaptation is just as relevant as ever and one of the best dramas of 2026.
4.5 Stars
My Brilliant Career is now streaming on Netflix.
