Christopher Chung has revealed Sam Neill gave his "blessing" for My Brilliant Career.

The late actor, who died aged 78 last month, played Harry Beecham in the 1979 film adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic novel, and he sent a video to the 38-year-old Australian star after he was cast as the romantic lead in Netflix's upcoming series based on the 1901 book.

Christopher old WWD: "I sent him a video of me in my costume, because Kate Mulvany, who plays my auntie, is very good friends with him.

"So she managed to get a video message to him from me, and then in turn he sent one back.

"[He] gave me his blessing on the role, which was really, really generous and sweet. It was really nice to have him in my corner in that way."

My Brilliant Career tells the story of a rebellious young woman who defies marriage expectations.

Sybylla Melvyn was played by Judy Davis in the original movie, while Philippa Northeast will take on the role in the upcoming series.

Christopher was on the set of Slow Horses when he found out he'd been cast.

He recalled: "The first person that I told was Aimee-Ffion Edwards, who plays Shirley Dander, and Ruth Bradley, because they knew how much I wanted the job.

"We were in between takes when my agent called to tell me. I came back in, and they were like, 'Who was that?'

"I was like, 'Guys, I got the job,' and they flipped out. It was just such a beautiful moment."

The role has a special significance to Christopher, who described his casting as "an albatross".

He explained: "To see an East Asian leading romantic part that's in a period piece, that's in Australia is -- it's an albatross. You never see them.

"To step into these shoes in such a profound way and to take on that part -- from reading the initial breakdown, that was something that I really wanted to do."

Neill died on July 13 aged 78, and his manager Philip Grenz later confirmed his cause of death was pneumonia

He also revealed the Jurassic Park legend's family will be holding a "private" memorial rather than any kind of public service.

He continued: "As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date.

"I'd like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time."

Sam's death was announced by his family in a statement posted on his social media account.

They said: "It is with immense sadness that the whanau [family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia.

"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.

"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."

Neill's loved ones voiced their "deepest gratitude" to the medical staff who cared for him, and promised "more details will be shared" at a later date.

The post continued: "They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care. "More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."