Netflix’s Perfect Period Drama Adaptation

Page-to-screen adaptations are more popular than ever, but Netflix has one of the best book-based series ever made. Typically, TV shows inspired by classic books have a minuscule margin of error, as it’s notoriously difficult to create stories accessible to modern audiences without losing the heart of the original text. Yet, Anne with an E is an overwhelmingly successful example.

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s seminal classic Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E first joined Netflix’s library in May 2017, two months after it premiered for domestic viewers on CBC. The coming-of-age period drama garnered a cult following, but it sadly became one of Netflix’s most infamous cancelations after three seasons. Nevertheless, it’s absolutely still worth a watch.

Anne With An E Is A Perfect Coming-Of-Age Drama

Anne Shirley Is An Unforgettable Protagonist

Set primarily on Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1896, Anne with an E focuses on the eponymous orphan named Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty). After some brief miscommunication, the young girl is sent to work on a farm owned by siblings Matthew (R. H. Thomson) and Marilla Cuthbert (Geraldine James). Immediately, however, it’s clear that Anne is unfamiliar with social conventions.

Anne initially struggles to adhere to local customs, finding herself ostracized by her wealthy peers at school— with the notable exceptions of Diana Barry (Dalila Bela) and Gilbert Blythe (Lucas Jade Zumann). Whereas Diana and Anne forge an impenetrable sisterly bond shortly after meeting, Gilbert emerges as Anne’s academic rival and a source of ire despite his unwavering kindness.

With such rich characterization, Anne with an E is easily one of the best historical dramas on Netflix. The period-accurate dialogue rolls off each character’s tongue as if they were truly born in the 19th century, and the basic costumes and set design add an impressive layer of realism. What truly makes the drama a standout, though, is its creativity.

Anne With An E Totally Reinvents Its Source Material

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Book Series Is Seamlessly Modernized

While it’s clearly identifiable as an Anne of Green Gables adaptation, Anne with an E has just as many original qualities that set it apart from its source material. The series’ basic framework follows the 1908 novel fairly faithfully, but everything from Anne’s background to her experience at Avonlea was explored in an entirely new light for the 2017 drama.

With over a century separating Anne with an E‘s audience from Anne of Green Gables‘ readers, it makes perfect sense that creator Moira Walley-Beckett opted to alter some characters and introduce new arcs to update the plot for modern viewers. Far more importantly, Anne with an E breathed new life into the story without sacrificing its original purpose.

From Anne with an E‘s inspirational quotes to Anne and Gilbert’s sweet, slow-burn romance, the Netflix period drama safeguarded the most important aspects of the Anne of Green Gables series while drawing out many of its more subtle, under-utilized themes. Whether it be racial tensions, sexism, or class divides, Anne with an E pulled no punches in its storytelling.

Nevertheless, every change made was thoughtfully considered while showing the utmost respect to the source material. Anne with an E‘s reimagining of Anne of Green Gables was obviously an act of love, not adulteration. Whether you’re L.M. Montgomery’s biggest fan or completely clueless about her career, Anne with an E meets the viewer where they are as a masterful adaptation.

Anne With An E Should Have Gone On For Much Longer

There Was So Much Left To Explore

Considering how impressive the adaptation was, Anne with an E‘s premature cancelation was all the more painful for its devoted following. Granted, many of the show’s biggest storylines were given a suitable ending in season 3, but Anne with an E barely scratched the surface of Anne’s adventures, let alone her relationships with Gilbert, Matthew, and Diana.​​​​​​​

Anne of Green Gables has been adapted dozens of times prior to Anne with an E, ranging from anime series Akage no An: Green Gables e no Michi to Canada’s long-running Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.

There were numerous books— including far-off sequels— that the series could have mined for inspiration had it been renewed, but Anne with an E is still a must-watch period drama for any fan of the genre. While we’ll never get to see some of the best book moments adapted, Anne with an E‘s three amazing seasons mustn’t be overlooked entirely.