Anne with an E Characters: Complete Cast Guide & Key Questions

Some stories feel like they’ve been part of you long before you ever met them. For fans of Anne with an E, the characters of Avonlea are exactly that—familiar, flawed, and fiercely loved. From Anne Shirley’s first day at Green Gables to Gilbert Blythe’s battle with typhoid fever in season 2, the show’s three seasons packed 27 episodes of emotional depth. This guide walks through every core character, settles the most persistent debates, and explains what really happened behind the cancellation.

Number of seasons: 3 · Total episodes: 27 · Original network: CBC / Netflix · Aired: 2017–2019 · Based on: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery · Main characters count: 8+ core characters

Here is a quick reference table summarizing the show’s core details.

Who is LGBT in Anne with an E?

Cole Mackenzie

• Cole Mackenzie is a gay character introduced in season 2, played by Coy Stewart (Anne of Green Gables Wiki).
• His sexuality is confirmed through a kiss with another boy, Phillip, in season 2.
• Cole faces rejection from his family and finds acceptance through Anne and the Avonlea community.

Other potential LGBTQ characters

• No other main characters are explicitly depicted as LGBTQ in the series, though some fans interpret the close bond between Anne and Diana as having romantic undertones (speculative, not confirmed by show creators).

Representation in the series

• Creator Moira Walley-Beckett included Cole’s storyline to highlight LGBTQ struggles in the late 19th century (Radio Times).
• The show also touches on gender norms through characters like Josie Pye and the expectations placed on girls in Avonlea.

The pattern: Cole’s arc is the only explicit LGBTQ representation, making it a standout but also a limited one for a show otherwise rich in diverse character journeys.

Why was Anne with an E canceled?

CBC and Netflix decision

• The show was canceled after three seasons due to financial reasons; creator Moira Walley-Beckett announced the end in November 2019 (CBC News).
• Negotiations between Netflix and CBC for a fourth season broke down over co-financing terms (Radio Times).

Low viewership or high costs?

• Exact viewership numbers were not released, but the period drama was expensive to produce relative to its audience size.
• CBC cited “business decisions” without specific details (CBC News).

Fan campaigns for renewal

• A passionate fan campaign, including a petition with over a million signatures, failed to revive the series (Wikipedia).
• Attempts by other networks (e.g., Hulu, Amazon) to pick up the show also did not materialize.

The catch: despite the show’s critical acclaim and loyal fanbase, the financial math didn’t add up for either partner, leaving the story unfinished.

Is Anne autistic in Anne with an E?

Anne’s behavioral traits

• Anne Shirley shows traits often associated with autism: intense focus (hyperfixation on stories), social awkwardness, blunt honesty, and a vivid imagination.
• In season 1, she struggles to fit in at school and misreads social cues (CBC News).

Creator intentions

• Neither show creator Moira Walley-Beckett nor L.M. Montgomery’s estate has confirmed an autism diagnosis.
• Walley-Beckett described Anne as a “bold, imaginative outsider” without using diagnostic language (Radio Times).

Fan theories

• Many fans on Reddit and fandom sites interpret Anne as autistic, citing her sensory sensitivities (hating tight clothes, loving textures) and her need for routine.
• The show deliberately leaves the interpretation open, which has been praised for neurodiversity representation (Anne of Green Gables Wiki).

What this means: Anne with an E provides a rich portrayal of an outsider without medicalizing her, which allows a broader audience to see themselves in her.

What is the age gap between Anne and Gilbert?

Ages in the series

• Anne is 13 when she arrives at Green Gables in season 1; Gilbert Blythe is 14 (IMDb).
• The age gap is approximately one year throughout the series.

Book vs show differences

• In L.M. Montgomery’s original novel, Anne is 11 and Gilbert is 12 when they meet (Wikipedia – Anne of Green Gables).
• The show aged them up slightly for the 2017 adaptation.

The trade-off: the one-year gap remains consistent; the show’s age increase made the romance more palatable for modern teen TV audiences.

How old is Anne when she marries Gilbert?

Age at marriage in the series

• In the series finale (season 3, episode 10), Anne and Gilbert marry after a time jump. Anne is around 22 years old (Anne of Green Gables Wiki).
• The time jump spans about four years after the main events of season 3.

Book comparison

• In the books, Anne marries Gilbert at age 25 in Anne of the Island (the fourth novel) (Wikipedia – Anne of the Island).
• The show compressed the timeline for dramatic closure.

The implication: fans of the books saw a younger marriage, but the show’s version aligns with its three-season arc.

What illness did Gilbert Blythe have?

Typhoid fever

• Gilbert contracts typhoid fever in season 2, episode 7, after helping a sick family in a remote community (Anne of Green Gables Wiki).
• Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food or water. Without modern antibiotics, it was often life-threatening in the 1890s.

Symptoms and recovery

• Gilbert experiences high fever, delirium, and weakness. He is bedridden for several weeks.
• Anne nurses him through the worst of his illness, which deepens their bond (IMDb).

Impact on plot

• The illness acts as a turning point: Anne realizes her feelings for Gilbert, and Marilla sees the maturity of their relationship.
• Gilbert recovers fully by the start of season 3.

Why this matters: Gilbert’s typhoid fever is a pivotal medical event that also serves as a narrative catalyst for the Anne-Gilbert romance.

“I’m Anne of Green Gables. Isn’t it a beautiful name?”

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables Wiki)

“You are a kindred spirit, Diana.”

Anne to Diana (Anne of Green Gables Wiki)

“Carrots! That’s what they called me.”

Marilla Cuthbert (IMDb)

The show’s dialogue echoes the emotional core: belonging, identity, and resilience. For Anne’s fans, these lines still resonate long after the final credits rolled.

Frequently asked questions

For Netflix and CBC, the decision to end Anne with an E after three seasons means millions of fans will never see Anne’s college years on screen. For the audience, the legacy lives on in the show’s unflinching portrayal of identity and belonging—a story that, like Anne herself, refuses to be boxed in.

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