Months after an initial pickup from the Canadian network CBC, Netflix has secured global distribution rights to the upcoming TV adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. The series, titled Anne, is spearheaded by Moira Walley-Beckett, the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad alum who most recently created the Starz miniseries Flesh and Bone, and will feature acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro (Whale Rider) among its team of directors.
Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novel, Anne—set in 1890—tracks the experiences of an 11-year-old orphan after she is erroneously sent to live with an aging pair of siblings who were seeking to adopt a boy. As the years pass, Anne’s personality and imagination help to redefine the lives of her new guardians as well as the many other dwellers in her new small town.
The original book has been repeatedly adapted into films, series, and sequels, boasting a global popularity and a steady place in classroom discussions. But this new project, set to debut in 2017, is intriguing for its pedigree alone—as of now, an entirely female collection of award-winning writers, directors, and producers has been announced. Add to that the benefit of Netflix’s resources and prestige, and there may be even more to this Anne than meets the eye.
Previously in Slate: