Bryan Brown hated English as a kid. One book changed everything

Bryan Brown’s Journey from Hating English to Becoming a Crime Writer

Growing up in Sydney, literature held little appeal for Bryan Brown, who now is an acclaimed actor and writer. A long plane flight unlocked the storyteller within him, changing his relationship with reading and writing forever.

A Renowned Actor with a Surprisingly Late Love for Books

Bryan Brown, known for his rugged charm and charisma, has starred in iconic productions from the “event TV era” like The Thorn Birds, films such as Breaker Morant, and alongside stars like Tom Cruise in Cocktail and Sigourney Weaver in Gorillas In The Mist. At 78 years old, he remains instantly recognizable and has recently added bestselling author to his resume.

Transition to Writing

Despite disliking English at school, Brown found new passion in storytelling later in life. He recalls:

“I hated English at school... Because we got things like Great Expectations to read …”

He now appreciates the classic Dickens novel but admits:

“Not when you’re bloody 12 and 14 and 16, and you want to play sport...”

Brown published his first book, Sweet Jimmy, a collection of short stories, in 2021. His debut novel, The Drowning, followed in 2023, with his third book, The Hidden, released this month.

Current Life and Projects

Though he lives in Sydney with his wife, actor and director Rachel Ward, Brown is currently in Melbourne for a podcast appearance—something he amusingly confesses to never having listened to before.

“I’ve never listened to a podcast, ever,”

he says with characteristic humor.

Author’s Summary

Bryan Brown transformed his early disdain for English into a successful career in acting and crime writing, proving it’s never too late to embrace your inner storyteller.

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The Age The Age — 2025-11-07

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