Watch The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant

The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant is a historical drama miniseries that follows the true story of Mary Bryant, an Englishwoman who was convicted of theft and transported to Australia in the late 18th century. The series premiered in 2005 and aired on Acorn TV.

The lead role of Mary Bryant is played by Romola Garai, a talented actress who has appeared in numerous period dramas like Atonement and Emma. Jack Davenport, known for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and This Life, plays Will Bryant, Mary's husband. Australian actor Alex O'Loughlin (Hawaii Five-0) plays Lt. Ralph Clarke, the officer in charge of the convict transport.

The series begins in Plymouth, England in 1786, where Mary and her husband Will are struggling to make ends meet. Mary has resorted to stealing to feed their two young children. When she is caught, she is sentenced to transportation to the penal colony in New South Wales, Australia. Will insists on joining her, not wanting to leave his family behind.

The first part of the series follows their arduous journey on the convict ship, which is overcrowded, disease-ridden, and run by sadistic officers. Mary and Will are separated from each other and their children, and they must endure harsh conditions and brutal treatment in order to survive.

Once they arrive in Australia, Mary and Will must adjust to their new lives as convicts. They are put to work building roads and other infrastructure for the colony, and they must navigate the dangerous social hierarchy of the other convicts and the officers. Mary begins to catch the eye of Lt. Ralph Clarke, who is drawn to her spirit and intelligence.

As the series progresses, Mary and Will's relationship is tested by their difficult circumstances and their growing attraction to other people. Mary's relationship with Clarke becomes more complicated as they develop feelings for each other, and she becomes pregnant with his child.

Meanwhile, Will becomes involved in a plot to escape from the colony, hoping to reunite with Mary and their children. The stakes become higher when he is caught and faces severe punishment. Mary must make a difficult choice between remaining in Australia with her new family and escaping with her old one.

Overall, The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant is a compelling and well-acted historical drama that offers a nuanced portrayal of life in the Australian penal colony. The series explores themes of love, loss, survival, and identity, and it is anchored by Garai's strong performance as Mary, a woman determined to forge her own path in a harsh and unforgiving world.

The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between January 1, 2005 and on Acorn TV