If you mention Anne Shirley to most people, they immediately picture Megan Followes. It’s the default setting. We think of the 1985 Kevin Sullivan production as the definitive version, or maybe you’re a fan of the grittier, modern Anne with an E. But there is a version that almost feels like a lost artifact, tucked away in the BBC archives. I’m talking about Anne of Avonlea 1975.
It’s weirdly overlooked. Honestly, it’s a shame because this six-part BBC miniseries, starring Kim Braden, captures a specific, gentle transition in Anne’s life that later adaptations often rush through or skip entirely. This isn't the high-budget, sweeping cinematic landscape of Prince Edward Island that we’re used to. It was filmed mostly in a studio. You can tell. The "outdoor" scenes have that distinct 1970s British television glow—a bit soft, a bit staged—but the soul of L.M. Montgomery’s writing is arguably more intact here than in the flashier versions.
The Kim Braden Factor: A Different Kind of Anne
Kim Braden had big shoes to fill, or rather, she was filling her own. This series was actually a sequel to the 1972 BBC production of Anne of Green Gables. By the time we get to Anne of Avonlea 1975, we are meeting an Anne who is no longer the "carrot-topped" orphan fighting for a place to belong. She's a teacher now. She's seventeen.
Braden plays her with a quiet, intellectual dignity. You see, the 1975 version focuses heavily on Anne’s development as a member of the community. She isn't just getting into scrapes; she’s trying to improve the village. She's dealing with the "Avonlea Village Improvement Society" (A.V.I.S.) and the frustrations of adult bureaucracy. It’s kinda funny watching her realize that changing the world is harder than just using big words.
One thing that stands out is the chemistry—or the lack of typical Hollywood "spark"—between Anne and Gilbert Blythe, played by Christopher Blake. It feels real. It’s a slow burn. They are friends first. They argue about schoolwork and village politics. It doesn't feel like a teen drama; it feels like a period piece about two young people growing up in a very specific, polite society.
Faithfulness to the Text Over Spectacle
Most adaptations of Anne of Avonlea (the second book) actually mash it together with Anne of the Island (the third book). They want to get Anne to college. They want the proposal. They want the drama of Redmond College. But the Anne of Avonlea 1975 miniseries is content to just... be in Avonlea.
👉 See also: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
Because it had six episodes to cover a relatively short book, it includes characters that usually get cut. We get more of Mr. Harrison and his foul-mouthed parrot. We get the actual, methodical development of Anne’s relationship with Paul Irving, her "kindred spirit" student.
Why the 1975 Aesthetic Actually Works
Look, the sets are clearly sets. You aren't going to be fooled into thinking they are on a windswept cliff in Canada. However, there’s an intimacy in that. The 1975 production relies on dialogue. It relies on the acting.
- The costumes are surprisingly accurate to the early 1900s, avoiding the overly romanticized "costume drama" look of the 80s.
- The pacing is deliberate. It’s slow. Some might say it’s too slow, but if you’re a fan of the books, it feels like the chapters are breathing.
- Barbara Hamilton as Marilla Cuthbert is a revelation. She captures that "vinegar and honey" personality perfectly. She is stern, yes, but you can see the pride she takes in Anne’s professional life.
The Struggle of the "Sequel"
It’s hard to talk about this show without acknowledging that it’s technically a continuation. In the UK, this was the peak of literary adaptations. The BBC was on a roll. They weren't trying to make a blockbuster; they were trying to bring a beloved book to life for families on a Sunday afternoon.
When you watch Anne of Avonlea 1975, you have to adjust your eyes. It’s a stage play on film. If you can get past the lack of "cinematic" flair, you find a version of Anne that is remarkably mature. She’s navigating the transition from a girl who imagines things to a woman who creates things. She's still a dreamer, but her dreams are tempered by the reality of being a schoolmistress in a small town.
People often complain that Anne becomes "boring" once she grows up. Montgomery herself struggled with writing "Adult Anne." But this series leans into that struggle. It shows the awkwardness of trying to be an authority figure when you still feel like a child inside. Basically, it’s the most relatable version of the character for anyone who has ever started their first "real" job.
✨ Don't miss: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Where Can You Actually See It?
Finding this version isn't as easy as hopping on Netflix. It’s a bit of a hunt. For years, it was one of those "lost" pieces of media that only existed on old VHS tapes or in the memories of people who caught the original broadcast.
Fortunately, DVD releases have popped up over the years, often bundled with the 1972 series. It’s worth checking out secondary markets or specialized archives. It hasn't been digitally restored to the level of a Hollywood film, so expect some grain and some muted colors. But honestly? That adds to the charm. It feels like looking at an old tintype photograph that has suddenly started moving.
Comparing the 1975 Version to Modern Retellings
When you compare this to Anne with an E, the differences are jarring. The modern version adds a lot of trauma and dark backstories. It’s very "prestige TV." The 1975 version, however, stays in the lane of "domestic realism."
There are no subplots about gold heists or extreme physical peril. The "stakes" are whether the village hall will be painted the wrong color (the infamous blue paint incident). To some, that’s boring. To others, that’s exactly why they love Montgomery. She found the epic drama in the mundane. The Anne of Avonlea 1975 production respects that. It doesn't feel the need to "fix" the source material with added explosions or modern cynicism.
The Legacy of Kim Braden's Anne
Braden actually returned to play Anne one more time in Anne of the Island (1975), which followed right after. This trilogy of sorts represents a massive commitment to the source material that few other productions have matched. She grew with the character.
🔗 Read more: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
If you're a completist, you can't skip this. It’s the bridge between the childhood wonder of the first book and the eventual adulthood of the later ones. It captures that specific "Avonlea" vibe—the gossip, the tea parties, the rigid social structures, and the rebel spirit of a red-haired girl who dared to think she could change it all.
How to Approach Watching Anne of Avonlea 1975
To get the most out of this, you have to change your mindset. Don't look for the sweeping vistas of the Canadian coast. Look for the nuance in the performances.
- Watch it as a stage play. Focus on the dialogue and the facial expressions. The BBC actors of this era were often classically trained, and it shows in their delivery.
- Pay attention to the side characters. Miss Lavendar and Charlotta the Fourth are treated with such genuine affection here.
- Embrace the 70s vibe. There is a specific warmth to the lighting and the sound design of mid-70s BBC dramas that is incredibly nostalgic, even if you weren't alive then.
Actionable Steps for the Classic TV Enthusiast
If you want to track down and appreciate this specific era of television, start by looking for the "BBC Classic Serial" collection. These were the gold standard for book-to-screen adaptations before the era of massive streaming budgets.
Search for the 1972 Anne of Green Gables first, because watching Kim Braden's evolution into Anne of Avonlea 1975 is the only way to get the full emotional payoff. Check local libraries or online boutiques that specialize in British import DVDs. While the Sullivan version will always be the most popular, the 1975 version offers a "purer" literary experience for those who want to see the Anne they read on the page, unfiltered by 1980s cinematic tropes.
Ultimately, it’s a lesson in how a story can survive different interpretations. Anne Shirley is a character strong enough to withstand different faces, different sets, and different eras. The 1975 version is proof that you don't need a massive budget to capture the heart of a kindred spirit. It just takes a good script and an actress who understands that Anne’s greatest strength isn't her imagination—it’s her capacity to love a place like Avonlea, even when it’s just a set in a London studio.