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Anne Of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts Upd May 2026

The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green Gables , produced and directed by Kevin Sullivan, is the most celebrated film version of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic 1908 novel

. Originally aired as a two-part miniseries on CBC in December 1985, it remains the most-watched television program in Canadian history. Cast and Production

The miniseries is defined by its iconic casting and lush production values: Megan Follows (Anne Shirley):

Follows won the role out of 3,000 girls for her ability to portray Anne’s fiery temper and vulnerability. Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla Cuthbert): Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts

Initially advised against the role, Dewhurst provided a performance that humanized the stern Marilla. Richard Farnsworth (Matthew Cuthbert):

His portrayal of the shy, kind-hearted brother is widely regarded as a definitive performance. Jonathan Crombie (Gilbert Blythe):

Cast after being spotted in a high school play, Crombie’s Gilbert became a legendary "first crush" for a generation of viewers. Visual Style: Prince Edward Island The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green

and in Ontario, the film used an Edwardian-era setting to create a "softer, brighter" visual feel. Part 1: The Arrival The first part covers Anne’s arrival at Green Gables and her struggle to belong:

The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green Gables , produced by Kevin Sullivan

for the CBC, is widely regarded as the definitive on-screen portrayal of L.M. Montgomery’s classic 1908 novel. This two-part miniseries originally aired on December 1 and 2, 1985, and remains the highest-rated drama program in Canadian history. Core Narrative The story follows Anne Shirley The Genius of Casting No article about this

(Megan Follows), a talkative and fiercely imaginative 13-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to the elderly siblings on Prince Edward Island. (Colleen Dewhurst) and

(Richard Farnsworth) had requested a boy to help with farm work at Green Gables

, but they are quickly won over by Anne's vibrant spirit and "kindred" nature. The miniseries is split into two major segments:

Here is the complete, detailed breakdown of the 1985 television mini-series Anne of Green Gables, originally broadcast in two parts.

The Genius of Casting

No article about this miniseries is complete without praising the holy trinity of casting: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, and Richard Farnsworth.

  • Megan Follows (Anne Shirley): She was 16 when filming began, playing an 11-year-old. The risk of a teenager playing a child is high (annoying, cutesy), but Follows delivered a raw, volatile, and deeply intelligent performance. Her Anne is not sweet; she is fierce. When she screams about her red hair or weeps over Matthew’s death, there is no acting—there is only feeling. She made Anne’s verbosity charming, not exhausting.
  • Richard Farnsworth (Matthew Cuthbert): The American cowboy actor seemed an odd choice for a shy PEI farmer. Yet Farnsworth’s Matthew is the heart of the film. His shy smiles, his trembling hands, and his silent, unconditional love for Anne break every viewer. When he buys her the puff-sleeve dress, you will weep.
  • Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla Cuthbert): Dewhurst played Marilla not as a strict spinster, but as a woman who has buried her heart to survive. Over the course of six hours, we watch that ice melt. Her Marilla is dry, sarcastic, and occasionally cruel (the “carrot” comment), yet when she finally allows herself to say “I love you” to Anne, it is earned and monumental.

Overview

  • Title: Anne of Green Gables
  • Year: 1985
  • Format: Television mini-series (2 parts, each approx. 3 hours with commercials, later edited down for home video)
  • Production Companies: Sullivan Films (Canada), CBC, PBS (US), TV-60 (West Germany)
  • Director: Kevin Sullivan
  • Screenplay: Kevin Sullivan, Joe Wiesenfeld (adapted from L.M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel)
  • Filming Locations: Prince Edward Island, Canada (including Cavendish, Kensington, and Toronto studios)
  • Original Air Dates (CBC):
    • Part 1: December 1, 1985
    • Part 2: December 2, 1985
  • Original US Air Date (PBS, WonderWorks): February 17, 1986 (Part 1) & February 24, 1986 (Part 2)

5. Critical and Audience Reception

  • Critical Response: Overwhelmingly positive. Critics praised the fidelity to the novel, the lush cinematography (Hagen Biesler), the evocative score (Hagood Hardy), and the casting.
  • Awards: Won the CableACE Award for Best Dramatic or Theatrical Special; won the Gemini Award (Canada’s equivalent of the Emmy) for Best Dramatic Miniseries. Megan Follows won a Gemini for Best Actress.
  • Ratings: A massive success. In Canada, the broadcast captured over 5 million viewers (a third of the population at the time). In the US, it became one of the highest-rated programs on PBS’s WonderWorks, introducing Anne to a new generation of American children.