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My Brilliant Career launches on Netflix as South Australia's biggest television production
My Brilliant Career, a Netflix adaptation of Miles Franklin's novel about a young woman pursuing a writing career in 1900s Australia, launches globally today on the streaming platform as South Australia's largest television production to date. The series, filmed across Adelaide and regional locations with support from the South Australian Film Corporation, injected $19 million into the state's economy, employed 600 South Australians and engaged 410 local businesses.
The exciting new series adaptation of Miles Franklin’s iconic My Brilliant Career launches globally today on Netflix as the single biggest season of television ever made in South Australia, delivering a huge economic and employment impact to the state.
Filmed in South Australia last year with the support of the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), My Brilliant Career has injected an anticipated $19 million into the state’s economy through direct production spend, employed 600 South Australians across the production’s creatives, crew, cast and extras, and engaged 410 South Australian businesses across supporting services including hospitality, accommodation, transport and more.
The series from award-winning Jungle Entertainment was filmed at locations across South Australia, including stunning regional landscapes and historic houses in the Southern Barossa region and South East, metropolitan Adelaide and the SAFC's Adelaide Studios.
The contemporary Netflix adaptation is developed and written by Liz Doran (Please Like Me, Barons), and executive produced by Jungle's Chloe Rickard (Good Cop/Bad Cop, Population 11), Doran and Alyssa McClelland (Amandaland, Sex Education), who also serves as the series set-up director. It is produced by South Australian producer Paul Ranford of Jetty Films (Territory, Stateless).
Based on the Miles Franklin novel of the same name, My Brilliant Career follows Sybylla, a fiercely modern young woman with one burning ambition: to be a writer, even as her family pushes her toward marriage. Sybylla breaks every convention of 1900 Australia as she chases a story that could write her way to independence, until she falls in love. Will she marry, or risk it all for a creative life?
Philippa Northeast leads the cast as Sybylla, joined by Christopher Chung as Harry, Anna Chancellor as Mrs Bossier, Genevieve O’Reilly as Helen, Kate Mulvany as Augusta, Jake Dunn as Frank, Alexander England as Julius, Sherry-Lee Watson as Nell and Miah Madden as Betty.
Last night VIPs including Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts The Hon Kyam Maher MLC, representatives from Netflix and the SAFC, and scores of local cast, extras and crew gathered for a special preview screening of the first two episodes at a red carpet event at The Piccadilly in North Adelaide, ahead of the series’ worldwide launch today.
Above Photo Credit: Naomi Jellicoe
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts The Hon Kyam Maher MLC said: “As My Brilliant Career launches today across 190 countries on Netflix, global audiences will learn what we already know – South Australia is one of the world’s great places to make screen stories.
“The Labor Government, through the SAFC, is proud to support these exciting productions that create local jobs, grow our creative industries and share South Australian stories, talent and locations with audiences around the globe.”
SAFC Acting CEO Leanne Saunders said: “My Brilliant Career is another great example of what can happen when local expertise is combined with global ambition, and it demonstrates the depth of talent we have here in South Australia’s screen sector.
“Productions like this don’t just create employment and generate investment – they leave a legacy. In the case of My Brilliant Career, that legacy includes valuable skilling and training for up-and-coming local crew through a special Netflix and SAFC attachments initiative, with a number of roles specifically created for hands-on training across production design, costume and more. These are the sort of opportunities that strengthen our industry, and our state as a whole, long after filming wraps.
“We thank Jungle Entertainment for choosing to partner with South Australia's Jetty Films to bring this production to South Australia, recognising the incredible assets we have in the state, furthering our ongoing fruitful production relationship with Netflix.”
Debra Richards, Director, APAC Studio Policy and Production Affairs, Netflix said: “We are delighted that the production of My Brilliant Career has delivered such significant creative, cultural and economic benefits for South Australia. It’s been an honour to film this important legacy story here and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the state’s vibrant screen industry for years to come.”
The SAFC has been pleased to welcome Netflix to South Australia for many projects in recent years, including Outback drama Territory and Cate Blanchett series Stateless – both also produced by Paul Ranford; as well as Sarah Snook thriller Run Rabbit Run; and children’s animation Eddie’s Lil’ Homies.
South Australia’s screen industry has been a hub of activity in recent times, with multiple projects currently in production or post-production around the state including WWII film Lady Death, horror films Wolf Creek Legacy, Ruby Ruby and The Debt, documentaries Aftermath and KUMARANGK: Sacred Women’s Business, Tilda Cobham-Hervey’s feature directorial debut It’s All Going Very Well, upcoming Catherine Zeta-Jones series Kill Jackie, season three of ABC comedy series Austin and more.
