What To Know
- The late Sam Neill recorded a video message for Christopher Chung wishing him luck in his role as Harry Beecham in Netflix’s My Brilliant Career.
- Neill played Harry in the 1979 movie adaptation of the classic Australian novel. Chung posted a tribute to Neill on Instagram ahead of the My Brilliant Career premiere.
- Neill died on July 13 at the age of 78.
The late Sam Neill wishes Christopher Chung well in a new video shared by the Slow Horses actor ahead of the premiere of Netflix’s My Brilliant Career. Neill played Harry Beecham in the 1979 film adaptation of the Australian classic novel, and Chung plays Harry in the new Netflix TV series, which premiered globally on August 13.
Neill died on July 13 in Sydney, Australia. His family’s statement said his death was “sudden and unexpected.” Neill had previously gone into remission after getting treatment for a rare blood cancer.
On August 12, one day before the premiere of My Brilliant Career, Chung posted a tribute to Neill on Instagram, sharing a video filmed with help from his costar, Kate Mulvany, who plays Harry’s aunt, Augusta, in the series. Neill is all smiles sitting at a restaurant while recording the video for Chung.
“Chris, I want to wish you all the best,” Neill says. “You don’t need any luck for this. You’ve got it in hand. I’ve got one tip for you: out-charm Sybylla.”
Chung responded to Neill’s video in his own message taken on set during filming.
“Oh, hey there, Sam. It’s Harry Beecham here,” Chung says in his response. “I just wanted to say a big thank you for your message and your tremendously wise words about taking this iconic role of which you’ve made incredibly large shoes to fill. I’m so pleased that I get to follow in your footsteps and that you’ve lent me your dear, dear friend, Kate Mulvany, playing my Aunt Gus.”
Mulvany cheekily pretends not to know who they’re talking about as Chung continues to speak.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure. I can’t wait to meet you in person,” he adds while hugging Mulvany. They both say “we love you” to the Jurassic Park star. Chung included a screenshot of a text from Neill to Mulvany in response to that video reply.
“Well, that is very sweet. I am so touched that Chris did that,” Neill wrote. “He looks PERFECT for the role. Hard to imagine after his wonderful slacker in Slow Horses, which I adore.”
Christopher Chung in My Brilliant Career (Ian Routledge/Netflix)
Chung included a dedication to Neill in his caption for the Instagram post: “This one’s for you, Harry. The OG Harry B. The iconic Sam Neill.”
The Newsreader‘s Philippa Northeast stars as Sybylla in the Netflix series, a headstrong farm girl who dreams of pursuing a writing career in 1900 Australia. Her fierce desire for independence and creative freedom clashes with societal and her family’s expectations. The story features a complicated love triangle between Sybylla, Harry Beecham, and Frank Hawden (Jake Dunn). Judy Davis played Sybylla in the 1979 movie alongside Neill’s Harry and Robert Grubb’s Frank.
My Brilliant Career, Available Now, Netflix