Growing up, I loved – and okay, still love – the usual classic girl’s books: “Little Women,” “A Little Princess,” and, of course, “Anne of Green Gables.” The latter really spoke to me as a talkative, imaginative girl with a love of reading and a desire for red hair (why Anne hated hers I’ll never know!).
So when I heard that Netflix would be releasing a “Green Gables” adaptation for a new generation, called “Anne With An E,” I was super psyched!
When I sat down to watch it this past weekend, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. Below, I have multiple reasons why you should immediately binge watch this remarkable series.
Table of Contents
1. Amybeth McNulty as Anne
Let me repeat: AMYBETH MCNULTY AS ANNE. I have no idea where this precocious, engaging actress comes from or how she was discovered, but I’m so glad she was, as she is the perfect Anne Shirley Cuthbert.
From her long red braids to her expressive blue eyes, to her long, loquacious monologues and moments of solemn loneliness, McNulty nails every aspect of Anne’s character. Not only do I look forward to seeing her grow as an actress and a person throughout “Anne With An E,” I can’t wait to see her in other projects as well.
2. Gilbert “Man of My Dreams” Blythe
Granted, I am not mooning over Gilbert’s fifteen-year-old actor, Lucas Jade Zumann. How creepy would that be? Rather, it’s the character whom I fawn for, because Gilbert Blythe is the dreamiest male character in all of English literature. Yup, even more than Mr. Darcy! (Too standoffish for my taste.)
Whether he’s being a gentleman and apologizing for pulling on Anne’s braids and chivalrously saving her from drowning in a lake, Gilbert is always there for his Anne-girl, and though she repeatedly rejects him, he never loses hope, while still keeping his respectful distance.
I can’t wait to see Mr. Blythe and Ms. Shirley Cuthbert’s relationship blossom throughout this show!
3. A Case of The Warm Fuzzies
The whole gang is here: not just Anne and Gilbert, but Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, Anne’s adoptive guardians, as well, and they are just the best.
Matthew, as usual, is Anne’s adorable kindred spirit who just wants to make her happy. Marilla, as expected, is tough and no-nonsense with a sweet, soft side.
These two only want what’s best for their new daughter, and their attempts at keeping up with the wild Anne will have you laughing while also sighing contentedly.
4. Drama Abounds!
From the moment Anne arrives in Avonlea, trouble brews for the plucky ginger. The best part is, Anne, being a perfectly imperfect heroine, often causes problems herself, albeit accidentally, and she always manages to make her way through it all.
Learning the Cuthberts wanted a boy, a rivalry with Gilbert, that famous raspberry cordial scene…Anne’s scrapes are guaranteed to keep you laughing and engrossed.
5. Major Nostalgia
Think back to when you first read “Anne of Green Gables,” or watched the classic ’80s mini-series. Was there anything sweeter than Anne and Diana’s friendship, or more yaaas-worthy than Anne breaking a slate over Gilbert’s head? Didn’t you want so badly to live in Avonlea? I thought so.
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne Shirley Cuthbert is one of those characters that sticks with you for the rest of your life once you discover her, and her stories and adventures are simply timeless. Getting to live them over again through “Anne With An E” will give you all the feels.
What do you think?
Readers, have you already checked out “Anne With An E?” What do you think so far? If you haven’t, do you want to watch it now?
Leave me a comment below, and don’t forget to share this article! Goodbye for now, my dear kindred spirits!
I am 71 & my Husband 73 & we absolutely loved it. We Binge watched all Seasons & like all Fans awfully disappointed that they didn’t continue with a 4th Season & the next etc. We live in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. We loved seeing Nova Scotia as we visited the US many years ago but never got there, unfortunately.
I’m watching it right now, I never read it as a child. What I did read was ”Pippi Longstocking” and Anne reminds me a lot of Pippi. One thing I love about this show is how overtly feminist it is. It touches on so many problems and trials, some of which I faced when I was a kid, but it stays so positive throughout it all, just like Anne.
“… and a desire for red hair (why Anne hated hers I’ll never know!)”
Perhaps because for some people of that time red hair was still associated with a witch? I read something in this sense not far ago.
I’m a guy and I love this series. I was first attracted by the title, then the intro, watched it, loved it.
By far the best review I’ve read about this awesome show!!
I’m Canadian and I actaully had no idea that this show was airing in the United States! I might check it out!
I really didn’t like it at first…too dark for me. The story of anne of green gables was uplifting and numerous and even though she came from a sad background, being an orphan of course, she was mainly concerned with her red hair and having puffed sleeves and getting to stay with her new family. I didn’t like all the horrible flashbacks, the bullying scenes, the horrible teacher…its not the same story for my daughter getting to see it for the first time. I wanted her to be uplifted…theres enough in this world to bring us down. That being said, there is a lot about it that I loved. The actors really are phenomenal and some of it does start to become uplifting…and I love all the new stuff with Gilbert and giving their relationship a deeper backstory.