‘Anne with an E’: Why Did Netflix Cancel the Canadian Series?

by

“Anne with an E” is a Netflix series that follows Anne Shirley as she grows up after being adopted by a family on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Inspired by the classic book Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, the show updates the beloved story for a contemporary audience.

With its charming story and cozy, countryside style, Anne with an E was perfect for relaxing and enjoying. The show skillfully balanced heartwarming moments with important themes like gender equality, racism, and the difficulties faced by abandoned children. It even won a Canadian Screen Award – Canada’s top TV prize – for Best Drama Series, proving it lived up to the beloved books it was based on. Sadly, Netflix canceled the show after just three seasons, leaving fans puzzled and disappointed.

The Series Is Based on “Anne of Green Gables”


Netflix

Anne with an E is a series inspired by the beloved children’s book Anne of Green Gables, which takes place in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The show tells the story of Anne (played by Amybeth McNulty), a 13-year-old orphan who dreams of finding a place to call home. Through a mix-up, she’s sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island.

Throughout the series, Anne finds herself and her place in the world. Anne with an E was applauded for updating a beloved Canadian story and appealing to a new audience. It became a popular Netflix hit, so fans were disappointed when the third season was announced as the last, and they started petitions to try and save the show.

Even stars like Ryan Reynolds asked Netflix to continue the show, but despite a global fan campaign, it ended as scheduled and was ultimately canceled.

Why ‘Anne with an E’ Was Canceled


Netflix

Even though Anne with an E received good reviews and viewers loved it, Netflix still cancelled the show. This came as a surprise to fans, who were left wondering why it was dropped. One early theory was that the show didn’t get enough viewers to justify continuing to fund it.

To clarify this further, the show’s producer, Moira Walley-Beckett, wrote in an Instagram post:

We did everything we could to save the show. We argued for its continuation, explored alternative options, and even hoped for a concluding film. It’s always a challenge balancing creative vision with business realities, and sometimes the reasons for decisions are hard to understand. This is one of those times. Ultimately, the networks based their decision on factors like cost, data analysis, and audience numbers, and those are difficult arguments to overcome.

Netflix isn’t alone in canceling shows before their time, and it’s frustrating when high-quality programs don’t get the chance to finish their stories. Shows like Mindhunter, Glow, The OA, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – all critically acclaimed and highly engaging – were also canceled by the streaming service, just like Anne With An E.

The cancellation of Anne with an E happened around the same time CBC, the Canadian network behind the show, stopped working with Netflix. This likely played a role, as Netflix contracts usually prevent shows from finding a new home right away – we saw this with Daredevil and other Marvel series that ended up on Disney+ years later. CBC’s CEO, Catherine Tait, even stated that the network believed making shows for Netflix was harming Canada’s film industry, adding another possible reason for the show’s cancellation.

Does ‘Anne with an E’ Have a Future?


Netflix

Although the show’s creators have confirmed that Anne with an E won’t be returning, many fans haven’t given up hope. Despite a large fan campaign – including thousands of petitions since the show was cancelled in 2019 – there’s been no indication of a revival. With Amybeth McNulty, who played Anne, now older and no longer the right age for the role, it’s safe to say the series has ended, even though it will always hold a special place in the hearts of its viewers.

If you enjoy Amybeth McNulty’s work in Anne with an E, you might like her film All My Puny Sorrows. She also delivers a strong performance as Vickie in seasons four and five of Stranger Things.

Where To Stream ‘Anne With an E’?

Okay, I was totally devastated when Netflix canceled Anne With an E, but honestly, I’m so glad the whole series is still available to stream. It’s a beautiful show, and being able to revisit Anne’s journey from the moment she arrives at Green Gables all the way to that emotional ending is amazing. It’s rare for a canceled show to stay so accessible, and it means both longtime fans like me and people who are just discovering it can see why it captured so many hearts. It really is a special Canadian gem!

Netflix makes it incredibly easy to watch shows one after another, and it’s especially tempting with a series like Anne With an E where you can watch all three seasons back-to-back. Plus, Netflix is good at suggesting similar shows, so you’ll probably find another period drama to enjoy once you finish Anne. However, nothing really compares to the unique charm and emotional depth of Anne With an E itself.

So while the cancellation may have cut short the series’ future, its past remains reserved.

Read More

2026-03-04 16:19