The Two Newest Films Include The Good Stars' and Fire & Dew' starring Martin Sheen, Ella Ballentine and Sara BotsfordTORONTO (March 15, 2017) - Following the success of PBS' Thanksgiving 2016 U.S. primetime premiere of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, leading Canadian studio Breakthrough Entertainment announces a new deal with the tenured broadcaster which will bring the second and third installments of the trilogy, The Good Stars and Fire & Dew, to audiences in the United States.
We are thrilled to bring Anne Shirley back to PBS stations and viewers in the second and third installments of the Anne of Green Gables trilogy, said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming, at PBS. The first Anne of Green Gables premiered last Thanksgiving and reached 3.2 million viewers. In addition, it was streamed more than 230,000 times across PBS digital platforms. These films are a wonderful example of the family-friendly programming PBS provides to viewers year round, and especially during the holiday season.
The iconic Canadian literary classic returns to PBS stations after the successful February 2017 Family Day premiere of The Good Stars in Canada on YTV. L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables is produced by Breakthrough Entertainment, in association with Corus Entertainment's YTV and the author's granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, who served as Executive Producer.
I am so delighted that PBS will bring the two newest installments of L.M.Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables to viewers in the United States. My hat is off to Breakthrough Entertainment for producing such beautiful movies that encapsulate my grandmother's most famous novels, says Kate MacDonald Butler.
The Good Stars, written and directed by John Kent Harrison, and Fire & Dew, written by Susan Coyne and directed by John Kent Harrison, will once again star critically acclaimed actor Martin Sheen as Matthew Cuthbert, along with the return of Ella Ballentine as Anne Shirley and celebrated Canadian actress Sara Botsford as Marilla Cuthbert.
It is rewarding for us as a studio to partner again with PBS in the acquisition of the next two films of this series. We are delighted that PBS will be able to fulfill the demand from their viewers and fans for more time with Anne after such a successful broadcast of the first film, says Nat Abraham, Partner and President of Distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment.
Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic novel, Anne of Green Gables the trilogy tells the story of Anne Shirley, a precocious little girl taken from an orphanage and placed in the care of the uptight Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew. In The Good Stars Anne Shirley turns thirteen and faces complex issues with her friends, learns from inspirational adults and experiences an escalating friendship with Gilbert. Her free-spirited nature is challenged by her perceived need to become sensible. In Fire & Dew, Anne Shirley moves to Charlottetown and is overwhelmed by her new surroundings, difficult classes at teacher's college and a deepening romance with Gilbert. At the same time, Matthew and Marilla deal with health and financial difficulties that jeopardize their lives at Green Gables.
About Breakthrough Entertainment
Breakthrough Entertainment Inc. is an award-winning producer and distributor of premium content for worldwide audiences. The entertainment studio's operations include the development and distribution of feature films, television and digital content; international co-productions and production services. Breakthrough's digital media division ranks amongst the industry's most respected producers of high quality interactive entertainment on mobile and online platforms. Established over 30 years ago, Breakthrough's library now boasts over 40 feature films and 4000 television episodes which air on major networks and digital channels across the globe. The studio has been recognized with international awards including numerous Geminis, Canadian Screen Awards, and Canadian Comedy Awards. www.breakthroughentertainment.com. Follow @breakthru_ent on Twitter.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS' premier children's media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV - including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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Lowell Hall
Ireland + Hall Communications Inc.
416-887-1636, lowell@irelandandhall.com
Carrie Johnson
PBS 703-739-5129, cjohnson@pbs.org
