Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the series Anne with an E, which breathed new life into L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables novels with stunning cinematography, powerful social commentary, and a breakout performance that captured hearts worldwide.
Anne with an E premiered on Netflix on May 12, 2017, delivering 27 episodes across three seasons before concluding on January 3, 2020. Each episode runs approximately 45-50 minutes, making it perfect for immersive period drama binge-watching sessions. This CBC/Netflix co-production follows Anne Shirley, a spirited 13-year-old orphan who finds herself unexpectedly placed with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island in the late 1890s, transforming their lives and her own through the power of imagination, determination, and unconditional love.
The series masterfully expands upon Montgomery’s original stories while addressing contemporary social issues through a historical lens. Unlike previous adaptations that focused primarily on Anne’s charm and optimism, Anne with an E doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker realities of Anne’s traumatic past, including abuse, abandonment, and the harsh treatment of orphans in the late 19th century. The show maintains the heart and spirit of the beloved character while creating a more complex and realistic portrayal of growing up different in a conformist society.
What makes this Netflix adaptation exceptional is its commitment to progressive storytelling that feels both authentic to the period and relevant to modern audiences. The series tackles issues like LGBTQ+ identity, racism, feminism, and class inequality with sensitivity and intelligence, showing how these challenges have persisted across generations. Anne with an E proves that classic literature can be successfully updated to reflect contemporary values without losing its essential magic.
Anne Shirley: The Orphan Who Refuses to Be Broken
Amybeth McNulty delivers a powerhouse performance as Anne Shirley, bringing incredible depth to a character who could easily become one-dimensional in less capable hands. Throughout Anne with an E, Anne’s journey from traumatized orphan to confident young woman showcases both her resilience and vulnerability. McNulty captures Anne’s famous imagination and verbal eloquence while never letting viewers forget the pain and fear that drive her desperate need for love and acceptance.
The series excels at showing how Anne’s traumatic past affects her present relationships, creating realistic obstacles that she must overcome to trust and connect with others. Her character development demonstrates how healing from childhood trauma is an ongoing process that requires patience, understanding, and the kind of unconditional love that the Cuthberts provide.
Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert: The Unlikely Parents Finding Purpose
Geraldine James and R.H. Thomson bring extraordinary warmth and complexity to Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, showing how two middle-aged siblings discover that their quiet, predictable lives were incomplete until Anne’s arrival. The series explores how parenting later in life brings unique challenges and rewards, with both characters learning to adapt their rigid expectations to accommodate Anne’s spirited nature and traumatic background.
The chemistry between the three family members creates the emotional foundation of Anne with an E. The show demonstrates how families aren’t always formed through blood relations, but through choice, commitment, and the willingness to grow and change for the people you love. Marilla’s evolution from stern disciplinarian to protective mother figure and Matthew’s gentle guidance provide Anne with the stability she desperately needs.
Gilbert Blythe: The Academic Rival Who Becomes So Much More
Lucas Jade Zumann’s portrayal of Gilbert Blythe transforms the character from simple romantic interest into a complex young man dealing with his own family struggles and social expectations. The series develops Gilbert’s relationship with Anne beyond the typical childhood rivalry, showing how two intelligent, ambitious young people can challenge and inspire each other while navigating the limited opportunities available to their generation.
Anne with an E uses Gilbert’s character to explore themes of class differences, family responsibility, and the changing social landscape of the late 19th century. His friendship and eventual romance with Anne demonstrates how the best relationships are built on mutual respect, shared values, and the ability to see past surface differences to the person underneath.
Breaking Barriers: When Anne Challenges the Status Quo
The series reaches its most powerful moments when Anne’s progressive ideas clash with the conservative social norms of her time period. Whether she’s advocating for Indigenous rights, supporting LGBTQ+ characters, or challenging gender expectations, Anne with an E shows how one person’s courage can inspire others to question unjust systems. These storylines elevate the show beyond simple period drama into something more meaningful and relevant.
Rather than presenting Anne as unrealistically ahead of her time, the series shows how her experiences as an outsider give her unique perspective on injustice and inequality. Her willingness to speak up for others reflects the core values that have made the character beloved for over a century.
Success on Netflix
Anne with an E became a critical and audience favorite during its three-season run from 2017 to 2020, earning praise for its beautiful cinematography, outstanding performances, and thoughtful approach to updating classic source material. The CBC/Netflix co-production proved that period dramas could successfully address contemporary social issues while maintaining the charm and appeal that made the original novels timeless. Each episode featured stunning Prince Edward Island locations and costume design that transported viewers to the late 1800s, while the writing tackled complex themes with nuance and intelligence. Anne with an E demonstrated how beloved characters could be reimagined for modern audiences without losing their essential appeal, creating a series that honored its source material while establishing its own unique identity.
Perfect for Anyone Who Believes in the Power of Storytelling
If you love coming-of-age stories, period dramas, and characters who refuse to let their circumstances define their futures, Anne with an E is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show succeeds because it treats its young protagonist with respect and intelligence, showing how imagination, determination, and love can overcome even the most difficult beginnings.
Why This Adaptation Deserves to Be Remembered
Anne with an E proves that the best adaptations don’t just retell familiar stories; they find new ways to explore timeless themes while addressing the concerns of contemporary audiences. This Netflix series created something truly special by honoring L.M. Montgomery’s beloved character while showing why Anne Shirley’s spirit of resilience, curiosity, and compassion remains as relevant today as it was over a century ago.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 27 episodes (3 seasons, completed series)
Platform: Netflix (co-production with CBC)
Release/End Year: 2017-2020
Current IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Genre: Period Drama, Coming-of-Age, Family
Status: Completed series (cancelled after 3 seasons)
Main Characters: Amybeth McNulty (Anne Shirley), Geraldine James (Marilla Cuthbert), R.H. Thomson (Matthew Cuthbert), Lucas Jade Zumann (Gilbert Blythe), Dalila Bela (Diana Barry)
Supporting Characters: Aymeric Jett Montaz (Jerry Baynard), Cory Gruter-Andrew (Cole Mackenzie), Kyla Matthews (Ruby Gillis), various Avonlea community members