For millions of viewers around the world, the name “Ana Shirley” does not conjure the red-headed orphan from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel, but rather the face of a young Canadian actress named Megan Follows. While several adaptations exist, the 1985 Canadian television miniseries Ana de las Tejas Verdes ( Anne of Green Gables ) remains the definitive version. It is a tender, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant production that transformed a beloved book into a timeless cultural touchstone. A Faithful and Heartfelt Adaptation Directed by Kevin Sullivan (who would later helm the sequel Anne of Avonlea ), the miniseries was originally broadcast on the CBC and later on PBS’s WonderWorks . Spanning nearly four hours, the production had the luxury of time. Unlike a feature film, Ana de las Tejas Verdes could breathe, allowing audiences to live with Ana through her mistakes, her triumphs, and the slow blossoming of her relationship with the reluctant Cuthberts.
Equally vital are and Richard Farnsworth as Marilla and Matthew. Dewhurst, known for her powerful stage presence, plays Marilla with a flinty exterior that slowly cracks to reveal a deep, unexpressed love. Farnsworth, a veteran character actor, embodies Matthew’s shy sweetness perfectly. His silent adoration of Ana—especially the scene where he buys her a dress with puffed sleeves—is heartbreakingly tender. Their chemistry as a makeshift family is the emotional anchor of the series. Visual Poetry and Musical Memory The production is a postcard from Prince Edward Island. Cinematographer Robert Saad captures rolling green hills, white farmhouses, the hauntingly beautiful Lake of Shining Waters, and the ominous, romantic “Haunted Wood.” The period costumes and set design are meticulous, immersing the viewer in late 19th-century rural Canada. ana de las tejas verdes 1985
For those who have never seen it: prepare to laugh, weep, and fall in love with a place called Green Gables. For those revisiting it: welcome home, Ana. “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it… yet.” — Ana Shirley For millions of viewers around the world, the