Melanie Goldberg
It’s been three years since the critically acclaimed Canadian series Anne with an E graced our screens for the final time. Irish-Canadian Amybeth McNulty enchanted audiences with her vibrant and spirited portrayal of L. M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne Shirley. The news of the cancellation was met with outrage from dedicated fans; myself, Ryan Reynolds, and Sam Smith included.
Having known barely a thing about the original story, I was intrigued by a fresh take on the classic, particularly after seeing newcomer McNulty’s performance in the trailer. I was soon beguiled by her refreshing and enchanting portrayal of Anne, attempting to navigate the stringent rules of society in the traditional farm town, Avonlea, alongside a variety of newcomer and veteran actors. Her accidental arrival at Green Gables on the idyllic Prince Edward Island irrevocably changed the lives of everyone she meets.
The Story of Anne
This contemporary adaption also had innovative storylines to match, dealing with issues such as homophobia, racism, sexism, and Canada’s genocide against First Nations and Indigenous tribes. Thanks to the cancellation, we’ll never know whether Bash remarries, or whether Ka’kwet escapes from her Halifax residential school, how Matthew and Marilla will fare without Anne, or how Cole will traverse a world where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
“Will a future renewal adhere to more of the original plots?”
Although the series has largely diverged from the narratives of the books, will a future renewal adhere to more of the original plots? Will Anne eventually teach at Avonlea School? Will Ruby die prematurely? Will Marilla adopt her deceased cousin’s infant twins? Some underserved characters who definitely merit a more thorough backstory and character development are French-Canadian farmhand Jerry Baynard, and classmates Moody Spurgeon and Tillie Boulter (who did not have nearly as much screen time as she deserved).
A New Series?
A potential new series in the future could see widows Bash and Miss Stacy form a romantic attachment, and explore the challenges they may face as an interracial couple. It could even dive into how any future children would navigate the stigma of their heritage in an antiquated society. Whilst many of the main cohort grew to love Gilbert’s new, extended family of Bash, Mary, and Delphine, this would almost certainly present a new challenge for them.
“The genocide continues to impact residential school survivors”
A Jewish refugee already having been introduced, the show could delve deeper into the persecution of Jews and their reasons for seeking refuge in Canada. The story could even explore the potential antisemitism and hostility they face from the community in Avonlea, who have already wholly demonstrated their intolerance towards other cultures.
Perhaps Anne’s letter to a national newspaper about the brutal treatment of Ka’kwet, her family, and the M’ikmaq tribe by the Canadian Government will ensure the children’s release. We sadly know that, if this were the case, it would not reflect reality. Thousands of Indigenous children were murdered whilst attending these schools, and mass graves are still being discovered. The genocide continues to impact residential school survivors and the wider First Nations and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Character Development
The character development of Anne Shirley-Cuthbert is thoroughly nuanced and incredibly powerful. Ka’kwet names her Melkita’ulamun – a strong and brave heart. Anne never claims, nor attempts, to be perfect by any means. However, the mistakes she makes and the people she hurts are often the result of what she believed to be good deeds with pure intentions. Her love for Matthew led her to impersonating him in a series of love letters, which ultimately deeply hurt him. Through an impassioned, yet unpermitted, ‘manifesto’ in the town paper, her yearning for justice and equality led to the alienation of a friend from proper society.
“Her dreams and ambitions are inspiring”
Many of her hairbrained schemes and seemingly limitless level of knowledge did come in handy sometimes; when she ran into a burning building to shut all the doors and windows, when she saved a young child from croup, and when she enlisted her classmates to “save Miss Stacey,” when her job was at stake. Ultimately, Anne’s actions were (usually) of pure intention, and her heart was good. Her dreams and ambitions are inspiring, and her imagination, captivating.
Despite having re-watched the entire series for the fourth time, it does not fail to bring me to tears, and I expect it will do again, fifth and sixth time around. I yearn for more of Avonlea; the residents, the scenery, the drama. Life in this quiet little farm town is anything but.
Featured image courtesy of Lennart Uecker via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
