Breakthrough’s Anne of Green Gables Trilogy to Continue on PBS

TORONTO: PBS is slated to air the second and third installments of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables trilogy from Breakthrough Entertainment following the success of the first film on the U.S. channel late last year.

The second and third movies, respectively titled The Good Stars and Fire & Dew, star Martin Sheen, Ella Ballentine and Sara Botsford. The trilogy is based on the classic novel penned by Lucy Maud Montgomery. It is produced by Breakthrough in association with Corus Entertainment’s YTV and the author’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, who serves as exec producer.

“We are thrilled to bring Anne Shirley back to PBS stations and viewers in the second and third installments of the Anne of Green Gables trilogy,” said Beth Hoppe, the chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming at PBS. “The first Anne of Green Gables premiered last Thanksgiving and reached 3.2 million viewers. In addition, it was streamed more than 230,000 times across PBS digital platforms. These films are a wonderful example of the family-friendly programming PBS provides to viewers year-round, and especially during the holiday season.”

Macdonald Butler noted: “I am so delighted that PBS will bring the two newest installments of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables to viewers in the United States. My hat is off to Breakthrough Entertainment for producing such beautiful movies that encapsulate my grandmother’s most famous novels.”

Nat Abraham, partner and president of distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment, added: “It is rewarding for us as a studio to partner again with PBS in the acquisition of the next two films of this series. We are delighted that PBS will be able to fulfill the demand from their viewers and fans for more time with Anne after such a successful broadcast of the first film.”