Somehow summer is already coming to an end, which means now networks and streaming services are looking for new content. Today, Netflix announced it will be teaming up with Northwood Entertainment for ANNE, a new TV adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, the classic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
ANNE is set in 1890 and will tell the story of orphaned Anne Shirley whose imagination is a vibrant as her red hair. After bouncing around from home to home and one abusive situation after another, Anne accidentally is sent to live with an older woman and her brother who think they are adopting a teenage boy to help around the farm. Anne’s story is one of humor, heart, and the fight to be accepted and loved.
This won’t be the first Anne of Green Gables adaptation to grace the small screen. A two part Anne of Green Gables TV movie premiered 1985 and starred Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, and Richard Farnsworth. Two sequels followed the success of Anne of Green Gables. Anne of Avonlea premiered in 1987 and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story aired in 2000.
Since the original movies, there has been a spin-off series. Road to Avonlea ran from 1989-1996 and starred Sarah Polley. While Anne never appeared in the series, other characters from the original movies did.
In 2008 the fourth and final film, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, premiered. The film is a prequel and sequel to the original trilogy and introduced Hannah Ednicott Douglass as the title character.
And now Netflix’s ANNE will be the newest incarnation of the timeless character. About the series, Elizabeth Bradley, Netflix’s vice president of content, said, “Anne Shirley is one of Canada’s greatest gifts to the world, known and loved internationally, so we’re thrilled to be working with the CBC and Northwood to bring this charismatic character to both new and old fans around the world.”
“Moira Walley-Beckett has written eight riveting, funny, emotional, surprising, beautiful hours of television. With the extraordinary talent of Niki Caro at the helm, we can’t wait to deliver our show to Netflix, CBC and the world,” said Miranda de Pencier of Northwood. “Netflix as our global partner means Anne’s indomitable spirit can now enter homes and hearts all over the world.”
The award-winning director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, McFarland USA, Zookeeper’s Wife) will direct the two-hour premiere of ANNE. “I am thrilled and inspired to be joining this incredibly talented team, and honored to collaborate on material that brings this iconic character to life in such a bold, fresh, and exciting way,” said Niki Caro.
Three-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Moira Walley-Beckett (Breaking Bad, Flesh & Bone), is writing all 8 episodes of the first season and Miranda de Pencier (Beginners, Thanks For Sharing) will produce with Northwood Entertainment.
The first season of ANNE will consist of 8 one-hour episodes. The series will premiere globally on Netflix and air in Canada on CBC in 2017.