Los Angeles/Toronto – Netflix and CBC are joining forces with show runner Moira Walley-Beckett and Miranda de Pencier’s Northwood Entertainment for the highly anticipated dramatic television series ANNE, based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless classic novel Anne of Green Gables. CBC greenlit the eight-episode, one-hour series earlier this year. The show will stream globally on Netflix and be broadcast in Canada on CBC in 2017.
Award-winning director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, McFarland USA, Zookeeper’s Wife) has signed on to direct the two-hour premiere episode. Caro teams up with three-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Moira Walley-Beckett (Breaking Bad, Flesh & Bone), who is writing the entire first season of the series produced by Miranda de Pencier (Beginners, Thanks For Sharing) under her Northwood Entertainment banner. This all-female powerhouse trio undoubtedly makes ANNE one of this year’s most anticipated television series. Production is scheduled to begin this September in Ontario, Canada.
“Anne Shirley is one of Canada’s greatest gifts to the world, known and loved internationally, so we’re thrilled to be working with the CBC and Northwood to bring this charismatic character to both new and old fans around the world,” said Elizabeth Bradley, Netflix’s VP of content.
“Moira Walley-Beckett has written eight riveting, funny, emotional, surprising, beautiful hours of television. With the extraordinary talent of Niki Caro at the helm, we can’t wait to deliver our show to Netflix, CBC and the world,” said Northwood’s Miranda de Pencier, who brought the idea of the series development to Walley-Beckett, the CBC, and Netflix under her Northwood Entertainment banner. Netflix as our global partner means ANNE’s indomitable spirit can now enter homes and hearts all over the world.”
While the new series will honour the foundation of the novel held as a Canadian treasure and global phenomenon, ANNE will also chart new territory. Anne and the rest of the characters will experience adventures reflecting timeless issues including themes of identity, sexism, bullying, prejudice, and trusting one’s self.
