It has been over six years since the heartbreaking cancellation of Anne with an E, and yet, the "Kindred Spirits" aren’t letting go. Honestly, it’s rare to see a show—especially a period drama—spark a fandom so intense that they actually bought billboard space in Times Square. But that’s the magic of this specific cast. They didn't just recite lines from L.M. Montgomery's 1908 classic; they breathed a kind of raw, modern urgency into characters we thought we knew.
The cast of Anne with an E has grown up quite a bit since their days in Avonlea. In early 2026, many of them are no longer the wide-eyed teenagers wandering Prince Edward Island. They’re landing massive roles in Hollywood blockbusters and prestige dramas, yet they still carry that specific "Anne" energy with them. It makes you wonder: how much of that on-screen chemistry was real, and what have they been up to lately?
Amybeth McNulty: From the Red Hair to Hawkins
When Amybeth McNulty was cast as Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, she beat out 1,800 other girls. The producers didn't just want someone who looked the part; they wanted someone who could handle the "thick and dynamic" dialogue. Her audition involved talking to trees and building thrones out of twigs. You can’t fake that level of whimsey.
Lately, though, Amybeth has traded the puffed sleeves for something a bit more... 1980s.
By now, you've probably spotted her in Stranger Things. She plays Vickie, the fast-talking band geek who caught Robin Buckley's eye. As of 2026, she’s become a much larger part of that universe, bringing that same manic, lovable energy to the Upside Down. But she hasn't forgotten her roots. In 2024, she starred in the indie thriller She Came Back, which was actually directed by Megan Follows—the original 1985 Anne Shirley. It’s like a passing of the torch that most fans didn't even realize happened.
The Gilbert Blythe Effect: Lucas Jade Zumann
Let’s be real. Every generation has a Gilbert Blythe, but Lucas Jade Zumann’s version was different. He wasn't just a schoolboy crush; he was a partner who respected Anne's intellect.
After the show ended in 2019, Lucas stayed a bit more low-key than his co-stars. He starred in Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets in 2021, playing a character grappling with heavy anxiety and grief. It was a total 180 from Gilbert’s optimism. More recently, he’s been attached to the project No Address, which is slated for release this year. Interestingly, he’s distanced himself a bit from the social media spotlight, even deactivating his Instagram at various points. He seems to be one of those actors who just wants to do the work and then vanish back into real life.
Why the Supporting Cast of Anne with an E Still Matters
The world of Avonlea would have felt hollow without the older generation. Geraldine James and R.H. Thomson (Marilla and Matthew) were the anchors.
Geraldine James hasn't slowed down a bit. You might have seen her recently in the sci-fi hit Silo as Mayor Ruth Jahns. It’s wild seeing her in a dystopian bunker after years of seeing her in a kitchen on PEI, but she brings that same "stern but secretly soft" vibe to every role.
Then there’s Dalmar Abuzeid, who played Sebastian "Bash" Lacroix.
His addition to the show was historic. He was the first Black actor to play a major character in the history of the Anne of Green Gables franchise. That’s a huge deal. He even won a Canadian Screen Award for it in 2020. Since then, he’s popped up in Luckiest Girl Alive and several TV movies. He’s been a vocal advocate for more diverse storytelling in period dramas, proving that Bash wasn't just a character, but a statement.
The Kids are Alright (and Still Working)
- Dalila Bela (Diana Barry): She’s been acting since she was five. While she's best known for being Anne’s "bosom friend," she’s 24 now and has been focusing on more mature indie projects and voice work.
- Aymeric Jett Montaz (Jerry Baynar): The fan-favorite farmhand has been keeping busy in Canada. There was a huge rumor circulating in 2025 that he might be joining the Stranger Things universe alongside Amybeth, but he’s mostly been focusing on smaller Canadian productions and his YouTube channel.
- Cory Grüter-Andrew (Cole Mackenzie): Cole was a character created specifically for the show, and he became a massive icon for LGBTQ+ fans. Cory has since appeared in The 100 and the horror film Summer of 84.
The "Cancelation" Controversy: What Really Happened?
You can't talk about the cast of Anne with an E without mentioning the drama behind the scenes. People still ask: "Why was it canceled?"
It basically came down to a corporate breakup. CBC (the Canadian broadcaster) and Netflix had a disagreement about how they were sharing content. CBC wanted to focus on their own streaming service, Gem, and didn't want to keep feeding the Netflix beast. The cast found out the show was ending almost at the same time we did.
It’s kind of a bummer because the third season ended on such a high note with Anne and Gilbert finally heading to college. There were so many stories left to tell from the books. But because of the way the rights are structured—split between CBC and Northwood Entertainment—no other network can just "pick it up" easily.
The Lasting Impact of the Ensemble
The reason this cast feels so special is the nuance they brought to "darker" themes. They tackled things like residential schools (through the character Ka'kwet, played by Kiawentiio), gender identity, and the reality of being an orphan in the 19th century.
Kiawentiio, by the way, has become a massive star since the show. She played Katara in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. Seeing her go from the tragic storyline of Ka'kwet to a global franchise lead is probably one of the most satisfying "where are they now" moments for the fandom.
Nuance in the Narrative
- The "Overacting" Debate: Some critics at the time thought Amybeth was too "loud." But if you’ve ever met a gifted, traumatized 13-year-old, you know that her performance was actually incredibly accurate.
- The Look of the Show: It wasn't "pretty." It was muddy and cold. The cast had to film in freezing Canadian winters, which is why their faces often look genuinely flushed and raw.
What You Should Do Next
If you're missing the show, don't just sit there rewatching the same 27 episodes for the tenth time.
Check out the cast’s newer work to see how they've evolved. Start with Amybeth McNulty in Stranger Things or look for Dalmar Abuzeid’s work in The Comey Rule. If you want to dive deeper into the history of the production, seek out the interviews with creator Moira Walley-Beckett—she’s often talked about the "lost" Season 4 scripts.
Also, keep an eye on Megan Follows' directorial work. The fact that she’s working with the new "Anne" (McNulty) is a beautiful full-circle moment for anyone who grew up with the 1985 version. The story of Green Gables never really ends; it just changes faces.
To stay truly up to date, follow the official Instagram accounts of the younger cast members. While some (like Lucas) are elusive, others like Amybeth and Aymeric are quite active and often post "throwback" photos from the PEI sets that will satisfy your nostalgia.
The cast of Anne with an E proved that classic literature doesn't have to be a museum piece. It can be loud, messy, and devastatingly human. That’s why we’re still talking about them in 2026.