My Brilliant Career

NZ release: 13 August 2026

Sex scenes and drug use Rated on: 13 August 2026

Season 1

my brilliant career

What’s it about?

Restless and refusing to conform, Sybylla is determined to write her own story in an era that expects her to find a man and settle down. Based on the 1901 classic Australian novel.

The facts 

  • Directed by Alyssa McClelland (Sex Education) and Anne Renton
  • Showrunner and co-writer: Liz Doran (Please Like Me)
  • Starring Philippa Northeast, Christopher Chung (Slow Horses)
  • English language 
  • Runtime: Six episodes that are around 45 minutes each
  • Based on the 1901 classic Australian novel by Miles Franklin

Why did it get this rating? 

This series was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Sex scenes

There is a brief masturbation scene in a bathtub, where a character’s hand disappears into the water and their breathing grows heavier. The water is milky, so we don't see any nudity.

In a brief scene, a man and woman kiss outside at night, the man puts his hand down her pants until she climaxes. The camera stays on her faces as this happens.

A man and woman kiss. It is implied they have sex, but we don’t see anything beyond clothes dropping to the floor.

Drug use

Two characters are shown having a giggly conversation that is vaguely implied to be drug induced, based on their out-of-character behaviour and how they feel the next day. One suggests taking laudanum as a comedown remedy.

Characters are shown drinking to intoxication, and one is known to be an alcoholic.

When content stays with you 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

Further information 

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