Written by Emmy® Award winner Moira
Walley-Beckett, the new ongoing series will introduce the
timeless character to viewers around the world
Director Niki Caro to direct
two-hour series premiere
LOS ANGELES and TORONTO, Aug. 22,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix and CBC are joining forces
with Showrunner Moira Walley-Beckett and Miranda de Pencier's Northwood Entertainment for
the highly anticipated dramatic television series ANNE,
based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's
timeless classic novel Anne of Green Gables. CBC greenlit
the eight-episode, one-hour series earlier this year. The show will
stream globally on Netflix and be broadcast in Canada on CBC in 2017.
Award-winning director Niki Caro
(Whale Rider, McFarland USA,
Zookeeper's Wife) has signed on to direct the two-hour premiere
episode. Caro teams up with three-time Emmy® Award and Golden Globe
winner Moira Walley-Beckett
(Breaking Bad, Flesh & Bone), who is writing the
entire first season of the series produced by Miranda de Pencier (Beginners, Thanks For
Sharing) under her Northwood Entertainment banner. This
all-female powerhouse trio undoubtedly makes ANNE one of
this year's most anticipated television series. Production is
scheduled to begin this September in Ontario, Canada.
ANNE is a coming-of-age story about an outsider who,
against all odds and numerous challenges, fights for acceptance for
her place in the world and for love. The series centers on a young
orphaned girl in 1890, who, after an abusive childhood spent in
orphanages and the homes of strangers, is mistakenly sent to live
with an elderly spinster and her aging brother. Over time,
13-year-old Anne will transform their lives and eventually the
small town in which they live with her unique spirit, fierce
intellect and brilliant imagination.
"Anne Shirley is one of
Canada's greatest gifts to the
world, known and loved internationally, so we're thrilled to be
working with the CBC and Northwood to bring this charismatic
character to both new and old fans around the world," said
Elizabeth Bradley, Netflix vice
president of content.
"I am thrilled and inspired to be joining this incredibly
talented team, and honored to collaborate on material that brings
this iconic character to life in such a bold, fresh, and exciting
way," said Niki Caro.
Moira Walley-Beckett said: "I
adore Anne! Exploring and expanding her story with new depth for a
new generation has been exhilarating!"
"Moira Walley-Beckett has written
eight riveting, funny, emotional, surprising, beautiful hours of
television. With the extraordinary talent of Niki Caro at the helm, we can't wait to deliver
our show to Netflix, CBC and the world," said Northwood's
Miranda de Pencier, who brought the
idea of the series development to Walley-Beckett, the CBC, and
Netflix under her Northwood Entertainment banner. "Netflix as our
global partner means ANNE's indomitable spirit can now enter
homes and hearts all over the world."
While the new series will honor the foundation of the novel held
as a Canadian treasure and global phenomenon, ANNE will also
chart new territory. Anne and the rest of the characters will
experience adventures reflecting timeless issues including themes
of identity, sexism, bullying, prejudice, and trusting one's
self.
Walley-Beckett and de Pencier developed and will executive
produce the series. Alison Owen
(Saving Mr. Banks) and Debra
Hayward (Bridget Jones Diary, Les Miserables) are
also attached to executive produce and Susan Murdoch will produce.
About Netflix
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is the
world's leading Internet television network with over 83 million
members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours
of TV shows and movies per day, including original series,
documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they
want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen.
Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without
commercials or commitments.
About Northwood Entertainment
Northwood
Entertainment is an independent film and television production
company formed with a mission to create a thriving home for
filmmakers with singular voices to reach broad audiences. The
company's slate mixes film and television from both established and
emerging talent.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's
national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural
institutions. We are Canada's
trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment.
Deeply rooted in communities all across the country,
CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and
eight Aboriginal languages. We also provide international news and
information from a uniquely Canadian perspective.
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SOURCE Netflix