Netflix Viewers Call New Six-Part Period Drama ‘Sensational’ and One of the Best Shows of the Year
A fiercely independent young woman dreams of becoming a writer while her family is determined to secure her future through marriage. Add an unexpected romance that threatens to complicate everything, and Netflix’s latest period drama has quickly become a favourite among viewers.
My Brilliant Career, a new six-part adaptation of Miles Franklin’s celebrated 1901 coming-of-age novel, transports audiences to early 20th-century Australia for a story about ambition, independence, love and the expectations placed upon women.
Led by Philippa Northeast, the series has already attracted enthusiastic reactions, with viewers describing it as “sensational” and even “one of the best shows of the year.”
A young woman determined to choose her own future
At the centre of the story is Sybylla, a sharp-witted and unconventional young woman with one overriding ambition: she wants to become a writer.
Her family, however, has a very different future in mind. They want to see her married, placing Sybylla’s desire for creative freedom directly at odds with the expectations surrounding women in 1900 Australia.
Determined to live life on her own terms, Sybylla challenges convention as she searches for the experiences and inspiration that could help her achieve independence through writing.
For a while, the choice between marriage and adventure appears straightforward. But that certainty begins to unravel when Sybylla falls in love, forcing her to confront whether romance can coexist with the independent life she has imagined for herself.
Viewers are racing through all six episodes
The series has quickly generated enthusiastic reactions online, with some viewers admitting they struggled to stop watching.
One fan said they finished the first season in just two days and immediately wanted a second. Another viewer revealed they had already reached episode five after starting the show that same morning, describing it as “SENSATIONAL.”
The same viewer compared its atmosphere to Anne of Green Gables meeting Little Women in Australia.
Another fan suggested My Brilliant Career “might just be one of the best shows of the year,” while others have strongly recommended the adaptation to fellow period drama enthusiasts.
Critics praise the new adaptation
The positive response has extended beyond audiences.
The Guardian awarded the drama five stars, describing it as “witty, intelligent and absolutely glorious to watch.”
Variety praised the production as “a vibrant, sexy and energetic adaptation,” while The Telegraph gave it four stars and called it a “charming coming-of-age tale.”
The new series arrives nearly five decades after Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong adapted Franklin’s novel for the big screen. Her 1979 film starred Judy Davis and Sam Neill.
Who stars in My Brilliant Career?
Philippa Northeast, known for Home and Away, Paper Dolls and The Newsreader, takes the central role of Sybylla.
Christopher Chung, familiar to viewers from Slow Horses, plays Harry, while Jake Dunn of Renegade Nell appears as Frank.
The ensemble also includes Anna Chancellor as Mrs Bossier and Andor star Genevieve O’Reilly as Helen.
Kate Mulvany joins the cast alongside Alexander England as Julius, Sherry-Lee Watson as Nell and Miah Madden as Betty.
With just six episodes, an acclaimed ensemble and a central conflict between romance and personal freedom, My Brilliant Career offers another sweeping period story for viewers searching for their next binge after Bridgerton.
My Brilliant Career is available to stream on Netflix.