Netflix and Substack celebrate My Brilliant Career with Sydney luncheon – Netflix and Substack have hosted a Sydney luncheon for the upcoming Australian drama My Brilliant Career.
The new series premieres globally on Netflix on 13 August 2026. In Sydney, the event at The James celebrated ambition, authorship and creative independence.
For Australian audiences, My Brilliant Career has a strong local connection. The series adapts Miles Franklin’s landmark story and filmed in Adelaide. In addition, Netflix has linked the launch to a Substack essay series and a national screenwriting search.
A Netflix And Substack Luncheon
The luncheon brought together the cast, creative team, Substack writers and cultural voices. Together, they discussed how to build a brilliant career and live on your own terms.
Author and Substack writer Bri Lee hosted the panel. She spoke with My Brilliant Career lead star Philippa Northeast, writer and executive producer Liz Doran, and executive producer Chloe Rickard.
The guest list also included Kate Mulvany, Miah Madden, directors Alyssa McClelland and Anne Renton, and Netflix ANZ Head of Content Amanda Duthie.
Essay Series Continues Through August
Meanwhile, Netflix and Substack will continue the partnership through August. The original essay series explores the themes of My Brilliant Career.
Essays from Chloe Rickard, Liz Doran and Samantha Wills are already live. Next, more pieces will follow from Bri Lee, Sunny Adcock, Anna Mackenzie, Anita Heiss, Hannah Ferguson, Dr Michelle Wong, Lucy Blackiston, Soph Hirst, Zara Wong, Rachael Akhidenor and other voices.
The luncheon also follows the launch of The Next Brilliant Career. Through that initiative, Netflix ANZ, the Australian Writers’ Guild and state and territory screen agencies are searching for Australia’s next great screenwriter.
Netflix On The Local Series
Netflix ANZ Head of Content Amanda Duthie said My Brilliant Career tells the story of a young woman who wanted more than the world was willing to give her.
According to Duthie, the global Netflix launch pays tribute to the spirit of Miles Franklin. She also pointed to the essay series and screenwriting search as part of that tribute.
Substack Head of Partnerships ANZ Annabelle Russell said Sybylla Melvyn’s desire to write on her own terms made the partnership a natural fit. Likewise, she said both Netflix and Substack are championing Australian storytelling voices.
About My Brilliant Career
My Brilliant Career follows Sybylla, a fiercely modern young woman in 1900 Australia. She has one searing ambition: to become a writer. Her family wants her to marry, but Sybylla wants independence.
The cast includes Philippa Northeast as Sybylla Melvyn, Christopher Chung as Harry Beecham and Anna Chancellor as Mrs Bossier. It also features Genevieve O’Reilly, Kate Mulvany, Jake Dunn, Alexander England, Sherry-Lee Watson and Miah Madden.
Liz Doran adapts and writes the series. Chloe Rickard, Liz Doran and Alyssa McClelland executive produce. Alyssa McClelland and Anne Renton direct, while Paul Ranford produces for Jungle Entertainment.
My Brilliant Career premieres globally on Netflix on 13 August 2026.
For more Netflix coverage, visit TV Central’s Netflix section. Stream Netflix in Australia at netflix.com/au, and read the My Brilliant Career essay series on Substack.
