A sequel to the 1972 BBC series Anne of Green Gables, this six-parter presented the continuing adventures of Anne Shirley (Kim Braden reprising her role from the original) in the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island and at Kingsport in Nova Scotia.
The series followed Anne into adulthood and continued to explore her relationship with Gilbert Blythe (Christopher Blake) and her adventures in the classroom and as Village Improvement Society secretary.
Kim Braden was the definitive Anne, bringing a believable level of naivety to the role. Barbara Hamilton’s Marilla was poker-faced yet sympathetic, Nicholas Lyndhurst (Davy) was engagingly irrepressible, certain to command youthful liking and tug at parental heartstrings, and Christopher Blake suggested Gilbert had shoulders worth leaning on.
Joan Craft’s direction was particularly strong on suggestion: for example, the long-suffering side glances from Anne and her friend Diana (Jan Francis) in their interview with Judson Parker (Ed Bishop) and the self-satisfied beam from Paul (Keith Steven) when Anne declared he would be a poet.
The solid note of realism was intelligently exploited; such as Dora’s display of her rain-sodden clothes – “It’s gone right through to my bloomers and vest” – and Marilla’s retreat with Dora during the thunderclap.
Links between studio and film were flowingly achieved, and Anthony Thorpe’s sets were careful but not overdone.
The story was adapted from the classic Lucy Maud Montgomery novel by Elaine Morgan.
Anne Shirley
Kim Braden Marilla Cuthbert
Barbara Hamilton Rachel Lynde
Madge Ryan Gilbert Blythe
Christopher Blake Diana Barry
Jan Francis Davy Keith
Nicholas Lyndhurst Dora Keith
Annabelle Lanyon Ruby Gillis
Kim Hardy Jane Andrews
Zuleika Robson Charlie Sloane
Peter Settelen Fred Wright
Martin Neil Paul Irving
Keith Steven Mr Harrison
David Garfield Miss Lavendar
Kathleen Byron Roy Gardner
Anthony Forrest Judson Parker
Ed Bishop Philippa Gordon
Sabina Franklyn Jonas Blake
David Troughton Aunt Jimsie
Eileen Erskine Anthony Pye
Ian Allis Charlotte IV
Claire Lewis Cliffie Wright
Philip DaCosta Mrs Charlotte E. Morgan
Susan Field Barbara Shaw
Simone Krieger Mrs Pendexter
Jennifer Croxton Priscilla
Sandra Dickinson
Joan Craft’s direction was particularly strong on suggestion: for example, the long-suffering side glances from Anne and her friend Diana (Jan Francis) in their interview with Judson Parker (Ed Bishop) and the self-satisfied beam from Paul (Keith Steven) when Anne declared he would be a poet.
