Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Avonlea is a 1975 six part mini-series created by the BBC. It was directed by Joan Craft and stars Kim Braden as Anne Shirley. It is based on Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery.

Synopsis[]

This 1975 BBC television adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's beloved novel follows a maturing Anne Shirley (Kim Braden) on her journey from freckle-faced girl to beautiful woman. While working as a schoolteacher, Anne continues to pursue her dream of becoming a published writer by winning a baking soda company's essay contest; fends off several suitors; and returns to Avonlea whenever she can to visit her adoptive mother, Marilla (Barbara Hamilton).^[1]

Episodes[]

Main article: Anne of Avonlea (TV series)/Episodes

Cast[]

Main cast

Kim Braden as Anne Shirley (6/6)
Barbara Hamilton as Marilla Cuthbert (6/6)
Christopher Blake as Gilbert Blythe (6/6)
Jan Francis as Diana Barry (6/6)
Madge Ryan as Rachel Lynde (6/6)

Recurring cast

Annabelle Lanyon as Dora Keith (6/6)
Nicholas Lyndhurst as Davy Keith (6/6)
Kim Hardy as Ruby Gillis (5/6)
Martin Neil as Fred Wright (5/6)
Zuleika Robson as Jane Andrews (5/6)
Peter Settelen as Charlie Sloane (5/6)
Keith Steven as Paul Irving (4/6)
David Garfield as Mr. Harrison (3/6)
Ian Allis as Anthony Pye (2/6)
Ed Bishop as Judson Parker (2/6)
Kathleen Byron as Miss Lavendar (2/6)
Jennifer Croxton as Mrs. Pendexter (2/6)
Phillip DaCosta as Cliffie Wright (2/6)
Sandy Dickinson as Priscilla Grant (2/6)
Eileen Erskine as Aunt Jimsie (2/6)
Susan Field as Charlotte E. Morgan (2/6)
Anthony Forrest as Roy Gardner (2/6)
Sabina Franklyn as Philippa Gordon (2/6)
Simone Krieger as Barbara Shaw (2/6)
Claire Lewis as Charlotte the Fourth (2/6)
David Troughton as Jonas Blake (2/6)

Guest cast

Anthony Ainley as Stephen Irving (1/6)
Barbara Angell as Mrs. Harrison (1/6)
Coral Atkins as Mary Keith (1/6)
Hazel Bainbridge as Mrs. Blythe (1/6)
Gabrielle Blunt as Maria Spofford (1/6)
Maria Charles as Mrs. Blewett (1/6)
Valerie Colgan as Mrs. Evans (1/6)
Forbes Collins as Mr. Shearer (1/6) (uncredited)^[2]
Denis de Marne as Jerry Corgoran (1/6) (uncredited)^[3]
Philip Fowler as Young Man (1/6)
Dan Gillan as Joshua Pye (1/6) (uncredited)^[4]
Robert Henderson as Uncle Abe (1/6)
Peggy Ledger as Patty Spofford (1/6)
Stuart MacGugan as Billy Gillis (1/6)
Betty McDowall as Mrs. Gardner (1/6)
Steve Preston as Young Man (1/6)
Gordon Sterne as Thomas Lynde (1/6)

Crew[]

Costumes: Joyce Rixon Macken

Designer: Antony Thorpe

Director: Joan Craft

Film Cameraman: Phil Meheux

Film Editor: Alastair MacKay

Film Sound: Stan Nightingale

Makeup: Christine Beveridge

Music Arranged by: Ed Welch

Music Played by: Jim Hughes

Producer: John McRae

Script Editor: Alistair Bell

Studio Lighting: Peter Catlett

Studio Sound: Alan Fogg

Writer: Elaine Morgan

Behind the scenes[]

Casting

Kim Braden, Barbara Hamilton, Jan Francis, Kim Hardy and Zuleika Robson returned as cast members in their roles as Anne Shirley, Marilla Cuthbert, Diana Barry, Ruby Gillis and Jane Andrews respectively.
Christopher Blake replaced Robin Halstead in the role as Gilbert Blythe. Halstead portrayed Gil in four episodes of the 1972 TV series Anne of Green Gables.
Avis Bunnage left the cast and was replaced by Madge Ryan in the role as Rachel Lynde.
Gordon Sterne replaced Edmond Bennett in the role of Thomas Lynde. Bennett portrayed Thomas in two episodes of Anne of Green Gables.
Valerie Colgan, who played Mrs. Evans in Episode 6, had also portrayed Lucilla Harris in Anne of Green Gables (1972).

Trivia

The series was reaired only once, from January 2 to February 6, 1977, on BBC.
In this adaptation, Anne and Philippa Gordon live at Patty's Place with Jane Andrews instead of Priscilla Grant and Stella Maynard. By extension, Jamesina is the aunt of Jane rather than Stella.

Gallery[]

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 7 images of Anne of Avonlea (TV series) (view gallery).

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 30 images from Anne of Avonlea (TV series) (view category).

References[]

External links[]

Anne of Avonlea at the Internet Movie Database
Anne of Avonlea at L.M. Montgomery Online
Anne of Avonlea on Wikipedia