With this reimagining of My Brilliant Career releasing to a global audience across Netflix, some 125 years after the book was first published, a whole new generation will fall in love with Sybylla Melvyn. Some will fall in love with her all over again.
For the creatives behind it, after over five years in development, in writers’ rooms, castings, production meetings, location scouts and almost three months on set, it’s an exciting next chapter for My Brilliant Career.
DISCOVERING A NEW LOVE FOR OUR HEROINE
“What excites me most is introducing Sybylla Melvyn to a whole new generation and hoping it has the same impact on them that it had on me as a 14-year-old,” director Alyssa McClelland said.
“Discovering a brand-new love of our heroine Sybylla Melvyn, whose passion, conviction, confidence, spirit and passion for writing is her driving force.
“She is completely unpersuaded by anyone or anything else in order to pursue that dream. I just think that’s such a beautiful message to be able to celebrate and reveal to a whole new generation of audiences.”
Writer Liz Doran hopes the story’s themes resonate with audiences across all generations, whether they’re looking ahead to the future or reflecting on their past.
“One of the things I’ve always really loved about the title of the book is that there’s no guarantee of ‘a brilliant career’ for anyone.
“Sybylla doesn’t know if her career is going to be brilliant or not. She just knows that she has this fire inside of her that has to be answered, and if she doesn’t honour that, then she will have lost something in her own life.
“You don’t know where they’re going to lead, but what choice do you have beyond just following your dreams?”
SCOUTING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Principal photography took place in winter 2025, shooting across Adelaide and regional South Australia for 12 weeks, with support from the South Australian Film Corporation.
Most locations have never been used for film or TV and showcase a version of Australia rarely seen on screen.
“South Australia has gorgeous geography, flora and fauna, making it absolutely idyllic to shoot in. But more so, the heritage buildings are unlike any that I’ve seen in Australia,” said Chloe Rickard.
“Even though the book was set in New South Wales, we were so taken away by South Australia’s beautiful historical, and still intact, buildings, which were surrounded by stunning, untouched countryside. It became a no-brainer,” added Liz Doran.
THE LOVE TRIANGLE
Executive producer Chloe Rickard said: “My Brilliant Career is ultimately a love story, with the classic love triangle, but the reason why the story was so iconic at the time and continues to resonate today is that Sybylla ultimately chooses herself.
“She does find love and that perfect match, but she chooses to pursue her dreams, her creative interests, ahead of all else. And that makes her as rebellious today as she was back then.
“We can’t wait to share this story with a big heart to the world.”
Alyssa McClelland reflected on why Sybylla’s story remains so important more than a century after it was first told.
“It’s important, especially for women, to constantly reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we’ve still got to go.
“I think the story is really seminal, as seminal as it was at the turn of the century. It’s still a really important part of Australian history and women’s history in Australia.”