It’s the hair. Honestly, if you grew up in Canada or basically anywhere with a TV in the late eighties, that specific shade of "carrots" orange is burned into your retinas. When people talk about the Anne of Green Gables Canadian series, they usually aren't talking about the dozens of cartoons or the gritty Netflix reboots. They’re talking about the 1985 Kevin Sullivan masterpiece.
It’s kind of a miracle it ever got made.
You’ve got this 1908 novel by L.M. Montgomery that is basically the soul of Prince Edward Island. Producers were terrified of messing it up. Then Megan Follows walks in. Actually, she didn't just walk in—she almost lost the part. She auditioned once and Kevin Sullivan wasn't sold. He looked at 3,000 other girls. 3,000!
Eventually, he realized nobody else had that specific mix of temper and vulnerability. Even then, the "fates" almost stepped in. During her second callback, the film in the camera actually got destroyed. She had to rush back and do the whole thing over again with about 45 minutes to spare before her flight. Talk about stress.
What makes the 1985 Anne of Green Gables Canadian series the "Definitve" one?
Most fans argue it's the pacing. It doesn't rush. You actually feel the seasons change in Avonlea.
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Nowadays, every show wants to be "dark and edgy." You see this in Anne with an E, where they add in heavy trauma and social commentary that wasn't really in the books. Don't get me wrong, that version has its fans. But the 1985 series captured the "spirit" of the Island without making it feel like a gritty prestige drama. It felt like home.
Specifics matter here. The chemistry between Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie (Gilbert Blythe) is legendary. That slate-breaking scene? Iconic. The way Richard Farnsworth played Matthew Cuthbert with that quiet, stuttering kindness? It breaks your heart every single time.
Breaking down the Sullivan "Anne-verse"
If you're looking to watch the whole saga, it’s not just one show. It’s a bit of a sprawl:
- Anne of Green Gables (1985): The original four-hour miniseries. This covers her arrival and her growth into a young teacher.
- Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987): Often called Anne of Avonlea. This is where she goes to teach at Kingsport. It takes some liberties with the books but still feels "right."
- Road to Avonlea: A spin-off series that ran for seven seasons. Anne doesn't show up, but the world is the same. It’s peak Canadian TV.
- The Continuing Story (2000): Okay, here is where things get weird. This one isn't based on the books at all. It puts Anne and Gilbert in World War I. Most purists... let's just say they have "thoughts" about this one.
The "New" Anne: 2026 and Beyond
It’s 2026 now, and the landscape for the Anne of Green Gables Canadian series has shifted again. We’ve seen the CBC and Netflix push the boundaries of what Avonlea looks like. There is a persistent hunger for this story. Why?
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Maybe because it’s about an outsider who wins. Anne Shirley is basically the original "weird girl" who refuses to dim her lights to make others comfortable.
If you're trying to find where to watch these today, it’s a bit of a hunt. Sullivan Entertainment keeps a tight grip on the 1985 rights—you usually have to go through their "Gazebo TV" service or find the remastered Blu-rays. The 2017 Anne with an E is still a Netflix staple, but for the true Canadian soul, you need that 1985 grain.
Real-world impact in Prince Edward Island
You can't talk about the show without talking about the Island. Tourism PEI literally owes a huge chunk of its economy to a fictional girl with braids.
- Green Gables Heritage Place: In Cavendish, you can walk through the house. It's not just a set; it's the actual farm that inspired Montgomery.
- The Musical: The Anne of Green Gables musical in Charlottetown has been running since 1965. It's the longest-running annual musical in the world.
- Raspberry Cordial: Yes, you can buy it. No, it doesn't have wine in it (unless you’re Diana Barry and you’re having a very bad afternoon).
Why the "gritty" reboots sometimes miss the mark
People keep trying to modernize Anne. They want to make her "relatable" to Gen Z or Gen Alpha.
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But Anne was already relatable. She dealt with loneliness, the fear of not being wanted, and the pressure to conform. The 1985 series understood that you don't need to add modern dialogue to make a story "current." You just need to let the emotions breathe.
When Marilla realizes she loves Anne, she doesn't give a big speech. She just stands there, looking slightly stiff, while her eyes go soft. That’s acting. That’s why Colleen Dewhurst is still the only Marilla for many of us.
How to experience the series today
If you want to do a deep dive into the Anne of Green Gables Canadian series, don't just stop at the TV.
Read the journals. L.M. Montgomery’s real-life journals are actually much darker and more fascinating than the books. She struggled with depression and a difficult marriage, which makes the "light" of Anne feel even more hard-won.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Rewatch:
- Start with the 1985 Original: Look for the remastered version. The colors of the PEI landscape are vastly improved.
- Skip "The Continuing Story" if you hate non-canon plots: It’s a well-made movie, but it will upset you if you’ve read the books.
- Visit the Sullivan Movies site: They often have behind-the-scenes footage of the auditions that you won't find on YouTube.
- Check the 2026 Charlottetown Festival schedule: If you're in Canada, seeing the musical live is a rite of passage.
The magic of Anne isn't that she's perfect. It's that she’s a "handful." She’s loud, she’s dramatic, and she’s fiercely loyal. Whether it’s 1908, 1985, or 2026, we’re all still looking for our own kindred spirits.