PBS to Bring Anne of Green Gables to the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C./TORONTO: Breakthrough Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables, a two-hour film based on the iconic book by L.M. Montgomery, is slated for broadcast on PBS in the U.S. this fall.

Filmed in Canada, Anne of Green Gables stars American actor Martin Sheen alongside newcomer Ella Ballentine as the titular character. The movie, which already aired in Canada, was produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in association with Corus Entertainment’s YTV. It will broadcast on PBS stations around the U.S. on Thursday, November 24, at 8 p.m. as a special Thanksgiving family television event.

“Anne Shirley is the most widely-known fictional character in Canadian literary history,” said Nat Abraham, partner and president of distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to be working with PBS to bring this classical story to American audiences as well.”

Michael Kelley, the senior VP of programming and business affairs at PBS, added: “The story and Anne character have become a staple of childhood innocence and inspiration. Breakthrough’s revival of this globally recognized literary story has delighted so many viewers in Canada and around the world and we are glad to secure this film for broadcast on PBS.”