Latest news with #MyBrilliantCareer
ABC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Tourism hopes for town of Penola as Netflix films My Brilliant Career
In the small town of Freeling, half an hour north of Adelaide, locals are used to rubbing shoulders with tourists excitedly photographing their pub and truck stop. For more than 20 years, day trippers have made the pilgrimage to "McLeod's Country" to see the real-life setting from TV show McLeod's Daughters, an Australian drama series that ran from 2001 to 2009. Freeling, named Gungellan in the series, shot to fame thanks to the show. "It's as popular today as it was while we were filming there," creator and producer Posie Graeme-Evans said. "People just love having their photo at the 'Gungellan Pub', truck stop, town hall and amid the streetscapes they are so familiar with," she said. "In turn, the town of Freeling has embraced these visitors as a benefit to its tourism. "Small operators have even sprung up offering tours to filming locations. It's been wonderful for the region." It has been 16 years since McLeod's Daughters wrapped up filming in South Australia, but its legacy lives on. Now, the town of Penola, in the south-east corner of the state, hopes the same effect will transpire in the wake of global streaming giant Netflix setting up at a historical homestead in the area in June. Backed by the state government and South Australian Film Corporation's Screen Production Fund, a drama series adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic Australian novel My Brilliant Career is now in production at Yallum Park, an 1878 heritage-listed homestead. Netflix said the story, first published in 1901, had resonated with a rising generation of young Australian women who longed for the freedom to shape their own destinies. The series, which is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027, will result in various locations across the state being transformed for the period production, including across Adelaide, the Southern Barossa region and the south-east. On a wintry day in Penola, local retailers were hopeful about what the production would mean for the town. "It's certainly exciting to be chosen to feature in the series," said Diane Williams, who runs a giftware shop in town and also has accommodation units. "It will put another feather in Penola's cap. "The town has obviously had a lot of accommodation bookings from cast and crew while they're filming here, but I think the real tourism benefits are yet to come. Down the street, chef and cafe owner Ian Perry agrees. "We've had a lot of crew members come in and that's been a boost to trade during winter, when things can be quiet," he said. "They're lovely people and they have all really enjoyed being here in Penola, a part of the country they might otherwise not get to see." SA Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said the production was expected to inject $17 million into the state's economy — the highest spend of any TV series made in the state. Five years after a bypass opened around Penola, Ms Williams is hopeful film tourism will become part of the town's future. "The bypass has had an impact on the town, but there have been plenty of benefits too," she said. "We're looking forward to seeing what might be on the way for Penola now it can add 'film set' to its long list of attractions."
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sam Niell was 'bullied' into James Bond audition
Sam Neill was "bullied" into auditioning for James Bond. The 77-year-old actor has claimed he has only ever auditioned for three roles in his life, one of which saw him secure the part of Harry Beecham in period drama My Brilliant Career, but he also lost out to Timothy Dalton in playing the suave spy in the late 1980s and to Richard Gere in the iconic Pretty Woman, but he thinks the right people were ultimately cast. He told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: "I'd just finished the film Sleeping Dogs (1977) in New Zealand, when I got an audition to star in My Brilliant Career, which really put me on my way. "I think I've done three auditions in my life, and the other two I failed. I was bullied into auditioning for James Bond by my bully agent [in 1986], and failed that. "The other — and I quite wanted to do this one, unlike Bond — was for Pretty Woman. They said someone else was better on both occasions, and they were right, of course." Sam was born in Northern Ireland but raised in New Zealand and growing up, he never imagined he would be able to pursue a career as an actor. He said: "I never imagined for a moment that I would be an actor, coming from a small, obscure town in the furthest away place. There was no moment. I'm surprised to this day." The Jurassic Park star credits late acting legend James Mason for changing his life. He said: "I grew up loving British actors and British films — everything from Alec Guinness to John Mills and Alastair Sim. But the first one I really admired was James Mason, particularly after watching 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, an absolute cracker. "He had such tremendous charisma and became a mentor to me. When I was in my late twenties and working in Australia, he and his wife sent me an air ticket and said, 'Come and stay with us in Switzerland because we like what you do and think you should have a career abroad.' He changed my life."
Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Sam Neill: I was bullied into auditioning for James Bond, and failed
I grew up loving British actors and British films — everything from Alec Guinness to John Mills and Alastair Sim. But the first one I really admired was James Mason, particularly after watching 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, an absolute cracker. He had such tremendous charisma and became a mentor to me. When I was in my late twenties and working in Australia, he and his wife sent me an air ticket and said: 'Come and stay with us in Switzerland because we like what you do and think you should have a career abroad.' He changed my life. Dunedin, where I grew up in New Zealand, may have had fewer than 100,000 people, but we had seven proper cinemas. On Saturday mornings our parents would dump us at one for the Chums Club: I'm sure they were pleased to get rid of us for an hour or two. We would watch serials — the one I remember clearly was Roy Rogers, who had a great steed called Trigger. It was a riot of uncontrolled kids, creating an unbelievable noise. Not a calm experience. I think I'm the Prince Andrew of cinema crying. I don't remember ever crying at a movie. Perhaps I've had the odd sniffle, but if I have, then I'm not going to admit it. I never imagined for a moment that I would be an actor, coming from a small, obscure town in the furthest away place. There was no moment. I'm surprised to this day. I'd just finished the film Sleeping Dogs (1977) in New Zealand, when I got an audition to star in My Brilliant Career, which really put me on my way. I think I've done three auditions in my life, and the other two I failed. I was bullied into auditioning for James Bond by my bully agent [in 1986], and failed that. The other — and I quite wanted to do this one, unlike Bond — was for Pretty Woman. They said someone else was better on both occasions, and they were right, of course. I was a bit of a mod growing up, with button-down shirts and narrow trousers. I was quite smart, really. Soon, I deteriorated and eventually corroded into hippie gear with flared trousers and things that you wouldn't be seen dead in these days. I was very conscious about what I wore as a teenager because there were these wonderful, exotic creatures who we found immensely attractive. The least we could do is look presentable. It was either The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter or Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne. Many years later, oddly enough, I was making a very strange horror science fiction film in London called Event Horizon, and we were renting AA Milne's house. It was strange going from the stark space horror to the comfort of little bears at night. I spent most of my childhood at boarding school, but when I was at home my older brother would read to me in the mornings. It fired my imagination. • The 60 best Netflix series to watch this month The first records I bought were 45s. It took me a long time to buy an album — I'd have to save up money during the holidays. The first was the great jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue, one of the greatest albums ever made. It's curiously adult, given that I was probably 13 at the time. The local venue when I was growing up was Dunedin Town Hall, which held the distinction of being the only place which didn't sell out when the Beatles visited in 1964. That gives you an idea of how conservative it was. The first act I saw there was Bobby Rydell and Del Shannon. It wasn't the greatest concert I've ever been to, but thankfully I've been to many good ones since. I can't recall the first, but the most famous was Barack Obama. It was a few years ago, and he'd been out of power for a few years. I was invited to be an interlocutor when he was on tour. The only thing not on the table for discussion was Trump. He was very warm, and I'm glad we have a photo together. • Read more TV reviews, guides about what to watch and interviews I'm not famous. I'm in Melbourne for a few weeks, and occasionally someone stops me, but I'm never chased by autograph hunters. I'm just an everyday, reasonably useful actor who has been serving his time productively. But the offer to star in Jurassic Park was a red-letter day. Anything Spielberg touched was gold, yet I had no idea what a cultural phenomenon it would become. I'm now associated with dinosaurs, and the older I get, the more I look like one myself. And now we've got a new one with Scarlett Johansson, and I'm looking forward to seeing that. I actually played her father many years ago, in The Horse Whisperer directed by Robert Redford. So it feels like I've passed it down the family. I don't think you ever really make it. But I do remember a great moment of satisfaction when I turned the key and unlocked the front door of the first house I built. I didn't feel like I'd made it, just that I'd made something. Untamed is on Netflix from Jul 17 What are your formative cultural experiences? Let us know in the comments below Love TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows , the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer , the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our comprehensive TV guide for the latest listings
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Unveils Series Adaptation Of Australian Novel ‘My Brilliant Career'
Netflix will adapt Miles Franklin's 1901 Australian novel 'My Brilliant Career' into a series. The story follows Sybylla Melvyn, an ambitious girl growing up in rural Australia in the 1890s, who desires a grand career as a writer. More from Deadline 5 Songs With 'Forever' Music Supervisor Kier Lehman Justine Lupe Teases 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 And Working With "Delightful" and "Goofy" New Guest Star Leighton Meester 'Fubar' Season 2 Debut Barely Makes Netflix Weekly TV List Amid Steep Audience Decline As 'Ginny & Georgia' Remains On Top Philippa Northeast (Territory) will star as Sybylla, with Christopher Chung (Slow Horses) playing the role of Harry, Anna Chancellor (Outrageous) as Mrs Bossier, Genevieve O'Reilly (Andor) as Helen, and Kate Mulvany (Hunters) as Augusta. Other cast members include Jake Dunn (The Ballad of Renegade Nell), Alexander England (Black Snow), Sherry-Lee Watson (Heartbreak High) and Miah Madden (Paper Dolls). The novel was previously adapted into a feature film of the same name in 1979. Netflix's series adaptation will be produced with Jungle Entertainment in Adelaide. The period production will take place at Adelaide Studios and various locations across South Australia. Chloe Rickard, Liz Doran and Alyssa McClelland are executive producers on the series, with McClelland and Anne Renton set to direct. Territory producer Paul Ranford will also produce My Brilliant Career. 'It's been a privilege to work with so many incredible creatives on this reimagining of Miles Franklin's rollicking tale of a young woman's quest to determine her own life,' said Liz Doran, executive producer and writer of Netflix's My Brilliant Career. Chloe Rickard, executive producer, added: 'It's thrilling to bring this Australian classic to a whole new audience. Partnering with Netflix and fellow executive producers Liz Doran and Alyssa McClelland, with Philippa Northeast as our rebellious and witty Sybylla, has been the stuff that dreams are made of.' Minyoung Kim, Netflix's Vice-President of APAC content (ex-India), said: ''My Brilliant Career' is a timeless Australian story with themes as relevant today as when it was originally published. We're excited to be partnering with some of Australia's best creatives and talent to bring this story to a whole new generation on Netflix, and with its stunning locations, there's no better home for this production than South Australia.' Kate Croser, CEO of South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), said: 'We are delighted to welcome Netflix back to South Australia and Adelaide Studios along with award-winning production company Jungle Entertainment for the new series adaptation of 'My Brilliant Career.' 'The SAFC is proud to support this exciting new series which will harness the world-class skills of a majority South Australian crew, led by top South Australian producer Paul Ranford, and which will once again provide a showcase for our state's screen production capability, talent and endlessly beautiful locations,' added Croser. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Strikes 'New Kind Of Partnership' To Carry TF1 Stations In France
French viewers will soon be able to watch TF1 on a new platform — Netflix. Billed by the U.S. streaming giant as a 'new kind of partnership,' TF1's commercial stations and on-demand content will be available on Netflix from summer next year. Financial details were not disclosed. More from Deadline Netflix Unveils Series Adaptation Of Australian Novel 'My Brilliant Career' 5 Songs With 'Forever' Music Supervisor Kier Lehman Justine Lupe Teases 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 And Working With "Delightful" and "Goofy" New Guest Star Leighton Meester The seemingly landmark distribution agreement is the equivalent of NBC, or another major American commercial network, handing over its output to Netflix. It is further evidence of Netflix's growing power over traditional TV networks, as well as a marker of the ambition it has for its ad business. If successful, it could prove to be a test case for similar deals as Netflix aims to cement its position as the world's TV channel. Netflix said French viewers will be able to watch TF1 shows like The Voice 'without ever having to leave the service' — an unambiguous statement about its desire to keep members locked in. Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, said: 'This is a first-of-its-kind partnership that plays to our strengths of giving audiences the best entertainment alongside the best discovery experience.' Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of TF1 Group, added: 'As viewing habits shift toward on-demand consumption and audience fragmentation increases, this unprecedented alliance will enable our premium content to reach unparalleled audiences and unlock new reach for advertisers.' Peters flew into France to attend Cannes Lions, the ad market festival where the deal was announced. It signals a deepening of ties between Netflix and TF1 after they partnered on co-productions like Les Combattantes and L'Agence. Last November, Netflix, TF1, and Newen Studio collaborated on the streamer's first daily drama series in France. Tout Pour La Lumière will be available on Netflix five days before its free-to-air broadcast on TF1. Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
