Anne (2017)

There was great excitement last year when CBC and Netflix announced a collaboration that would bring Vancouver-born Emmy-winner Moira Walley-Beckett — the writer behind some of Breaking Bad's best episodes — back to Canada.

What lured her home was not another boundary-pushing, drug-fuelled drama — but adapting a book that's beloved by pre-teen girls.

"How do you go from a meth lab to Green Gables farm in 1896?" Walley-Beckett asked during a recent interview.

"This ain't your grandmother's Anne. I'm really attracted to human stories and character stories. That's what Breaking Bad was… And that's what Anne is."

"This is a cable, character drama," Walley-Beckett said, akin to shows on channels such as HBO or AMC, rather than mainstream TV networks. "Certainly the issues in the book for Anne — themes of identity, bullying, prejudice — are extremely topical right now."

Anne doesn’t feel particularly close in spirit to Montgomery’s novel, in which Anne is a buoyant Pollyanna, unwilling to condemn those who mistreated her. In that regard, the 1985 series is more successful, with Megan Follows portraying an Anne who seems less affected by her past, having escaped into fantasy and a rich inner life.

Of course, staying faithful to the original is not always the goal of the filmmaker or showrunner. Walley-Beckett has her own gritty vision. We’ll see how Anne adjusts to Green Gables in light of her difficult past—and how far the series continues to stray from the source. I’ll admit I enjoyed the episode more than I expected to—especially the impeccable set design and costumes—but I found myself rolling my eyes at most of the manufactured drama, such as Matthew’s wild horse ride. Maybe as a novelist I should accept that I will probably always be that person droning on in a tiresome way about how the book was better. While I don’t think this series will ever find a place in my heart, Anne may be a compelling vision for the next generation. It almost feels dark enough for our times.

Anne is a Northwood Entertainment production for CBC and Netflix.

The eight-episode series begins streaming May 12 on Netflix.

YTV will air another two new films based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables.

Corus Entertainment announced Monday that Ella Ballentine will return in the starring role of Anne Shirley, as will Martin Sheen, who plays Matthew Cuthbert, and Sara Botsford, who plays his sister Marilla Cuthbert.

Good Stars is expected to air next year and Fire & Dew in 2018.

After a Twitter user pointed out the difference, Canadians and Americans alike voiced complaints via social media, saying the alterations were unnecessary and not true to the spirit of the character. There’s been no reply from Netflix as yet.

I hesitate, if only for civility’s sake, to call Anne a work of vandalism.

Overall, I’ve been very impressed with the tone, cinematography and performances, particularly Amybeth McNulty’s take on our flame-haired heroine. But, really, everyone has been stellar and these first eight episodes have merely whet my appetite for more. Alas, nothing has been announced yet and we’ll have to settle for Sunday’s episode for now.

So long, Anne — hello, Anne with an 'E.'

Netflix is rebranding the latest Anne of Green Gables TV drama, which recently wrapped up airing on CBC-TV.

When the show debuts on the streaming service on May 12 in other countries, it will be called Anne with an 'E,' rather than Anne.