Honestly, if you close your eyes and think of a red-headed orphan with a temper and a vocabulary too big for her own good, you probably see one face. Maybe it’s the wide-eyed, nostalgic gaze of Megan Follows from the 80s. Or perhaps it’s the sharp, soulful intensity of Amybeth McNulty.
Choosing the right Anne of Green Gables actress is basically like choosing a new Pope for Canadians. It’s a massive deal.
But here’s the thing. Most people think there are only two or three women who have stepped into those iconic boots. In reality, the history of Anne Shirley on screen is a weird, winding road filled with silent film stars, legal name changes, and a psychological thriller that brought two generations of Annes together in 2024.
The Megan Follows Era: Why She’s Still the "One"
In 1985, Kevin Sullivan took a huge gamble. He auditioned over 3,000 girls. He almost didn't pick Megan Follows because he thought she might be "too old" or not quite "plain" enough.
Can you imagine anyone else?
Megan Follows didn't just play Anne; she became the cultural blueprint for her. Her chemistry with Jonathan Crombie (Gilbert Blythe) and Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla) felt less like acting and more like eavesdropping on a real family in Prince Edward Island. It's why that 1985 miniseries remains the highest-rated drama in Canadian history.
Follows had this specific way of making Anne’s "purple prose" feel natural. When she talked about the "Lake of Shining Waters," you didn't roll your eyes. You looked for the water.
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Interestingly, Follows' career didn't stop at Green Gables. She went on to play the fierce Queen Catherine de' Medici in Reign, proving she could pivot from "carrots" to "poisoning her enemies" without breaking a sweat. Today, in 2026, she’s actually moved behind the camera, directing major TV episodes and even casting other Annes in her own projects.
Amybeth McNulty and the "Gritty" Anne
Then came 2017. Netflix and the CBC decided the world needed a "darker" Anne. Enter Anne with an E.
A lot of purists hated it at first. They thought it was too gloomy. But then they saw Amybeth McNulty.
McNulty brought something raw to the role—the actual trauma of being an orphan in the late 1800s. Her Anne had PTSD. She had flashbacks. She was loud, messy, and fiercely feminist in a way that felt authentic to L.M. Montgomery’s original spirit, even if the script strayed from the plot.
- Fact: McNulty was homeschooled in Ireland before winning the role.
- The Audition: She literally had to talk to trees and build thrones out of twigs to prove she had the "imagination" required.
- The Impact: She didn't just win over old fans; she created a massive Gen Z following that still petitions for a Season 4 today.
After the show was canceled, McNulty didn't disappear. She popped up in Stranger Things as Vickie, a "band nerd" who stole hearts in Hawkins.
The "Lost" Annes You Probably Forgot
This is where it gets kinda wild. Before Megan Follows, there were others.
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Back in 1934, an actress named Dawn O’Day played Anne in a "talkie" film. She loved the character so much she legally changed her stage name to Anne Shirley. Imagine being so committed to a role that you literally take the character's name to the grave.
Then there’s the 1919 silent film starring Mary Miles Minter. L.M. Montgomery actually hated this version. She complained that Anne was "too Americanized" and that the movie had her brandishing a gun at one point. Definitely not the Anne we know.
In the mid-2010s, Ella Ballentine took a crack at the character in a trilogy of TV movies starring alongside Martin Sheen. Ballentine's version was younger, sweeter, and focused more on the childhood innocence of the early books. While it didn't get the "prestige" buzz of the Netflix version, it remains a favorite for families who want a gentler introduction to Avonlea.
The 2008 Pivot: Barbara Hershey
Most people pretend Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning doesn't exist.
Kevin Sullivan returned to the franchise without Megan Follows. He cast Barbara Hershey—an incredible, Oscar-nominated actress—as a middle-aged Anne in 1945. It was a prequel/sequel hybrid that changed a lot of the established lore.
While Hershey gave a soulful performance, fans struggled to see anyone but Follows as the "older" Anne. It’s a classic case of a great Anne of Green Gables actress being in the wrong project at the wrong time.
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When Two Annes Collide
The coolest thing happened recently.
Megan Follows directed a psychological thriller called She Came Back (it was originally titled Maternal). Who did she cast as the lead? Amybeth McNulty.
It was a total "multiverse" moment for Anne fans. Watching the 1985 Anne direct the 2017 Anne was the ultimate passing of the torch. It also shut down any rumors of a "rivalry" between the two. They’ve both spoken about how much they respect each other’s interpretation of the character.
Why the Casting Always Matters
Anne Shirley is a tough role. If you’re too "cute," you lose her edge. If you’re too "angry," you lose her magic.
The best actresses—Follows and McNulty—understood that Anne is a survivor. She uses her imagination as a shield against a world that didn't want her. That's why we’re still talking about these performances decades later.
What You Should Do Next
If you’ve only seen one version of Anne, you’re missing out on the full picture.
- Watch the 1985 Miniseries: It’s the gold standard for a reason. Start here to understand the "classic" Anne.
- Binge Anne with an E: If you want to see the emotional depth and modern themes, this is the one.
- Look for Ella Ballentine’s 2016 films: Great for a cozy Sunday afternoon if you have kids.
- Check out She Came Back (2024): See the "Two Annes" collaborate in a completely different genre.
Ultimately, there isn't just one Anne of Green Gables actress. There’s a legacy of women who have brought their own grit, whimsy, and red hair to a character that refuses to go out of style. Whether you prefer the 80s nostalgia or the modern realism, Anne remains the most relatable "kindred spirit" in literature.
Take a weekend to compare the first episodes of the 1985 and 2017 versions. You’ll be surprised at how two different women can play the exact same scene and find completely different truths in it.