Road to Avonlea

Road to Avonlea
Format Drama
Created by Kevin Sullivan
Starring Sarah Polley, Jackie Burroughs, Mag Ruffman
Country of origin Flag of Canada Canada
No. of episodes 91 + Road to Avonlea Christmas Movie (2000)
Production
Running time 60 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBC and Disney Channel
Original run January 7, 1990 – March 31, 1996
External links
Official website
IMDb profile

Road to Avonlea is a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films (later Sullivan Entertainment) in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada. It was adapted from a series of books by L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, which Sullivan had previously adapted as Anne of Green Gables in 1985 and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel in 1987.

In the United States, its title was shortened to simply Avonlea, and a number of episodes were re-titled and re-ordered. When the series was released on DVD in the United States, the title changed from Road to Avonlea to Tales from Avonlea.

The series is set in the fictional small town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, in the early 20th century (1907-1914). There, 11-year-old Montreal heiress Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley) is sent by her wealthy father to live with her two maiden aunts, Hetty and Olivia King, to be near her late mother's side of the family. The show's focus shifted over the years from Sara's interactions with her new-found relatives, to stories about the King family. Later seasons of the show focused more on residents of Avonlea who were connected to the King family, and Sarah Polley, who appeared in 6 seasons, and returned for several guest appearances in the 7th season.

Contents

Synopsis

In the tradition of Anne of Green Gables comes another chronicle of the journey to adulthood: Road to Avonlea, set again in the Maritime province of Prince Edward Island. The adventure begins in 1903 when a sheltered city girl, Sara Stanley, is transplanted to a rural community to stay with the relatives of her late mother. The town of Avonlea is peopled with unforgettable characters that we come to know and love as much as Sara does. The series follows her story until she "comes of age". Along the way, Sara must prove herself to her cousins before she can feel a sense of belonging with the stable, loving family. As the children become older, the plots of the episodes begin to highlight the blossoming romance between the young adults, Felicity and Gus. This affair of the heart is still of great interest to a wide audience. A multitude of heart-warming stories focuses on the other central characters in the family: the sisters Olivia and Hetty, the King parents and children and some colourful Avonlea fixtures. Of course, the world outside Avonlea encroaches in an entertaining way by providing a diverse parade of visitors to the island. These personalities provide rich opportunities for great adventures. As the series matures and develops, award-winning guests lend their talents to portray these larger-than-life characters; Faye Dunaway, the late Christopher Reeve and Stockard Channing are just a few of the renowned actors who appear in Seasons 2 through 7. Other notable guest stars included: Christopher Lloyd, Michael York, Eugene Levy, Diane Wiest, Shiela McCarthy and Ryan Gosling. Their stories encompass situations that run the gamut from poignant to screwball.

Among the 91 episodes there are many uproarious stories that celebrate childhood and imagination and others that deal in a light-hearted way with the serious subjects of birth, childhood, love, old age and death as experienced by a small North American community during the Edwardian era. Road to Avonlea is "One of the television’s more successful family shows." The long running Canadian saga is regarded as something of an institution. Its sumptuous production values and satisfying story lines continue to captivate new viewers all over the world.

Characters

Major characters

Minor characters

Notable guest stars on the show included Jonathan Crombie, Diana Rigg, Faye Dunaway, Shirley Douglas, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Christopher Reeve, Stockard Channing, Michael York, and Kyle Labine.

Locations

The Road to Avonlea set was created 15 minutes outside Leaksdale, Ontario, Canada (the town where Lucy Maude Montgomery lived and wrote for a decade after moving from Prince Edward Island). The town of Avonlea was adapted from existing buildings and roads were painted red to emulate the red sand of the Island. Photography and enhanced digital matter work married second unit scenes of Prince Edward Island with the Leaksdale location where necessary.



Awards and Nominations

During Road to Avonlea's seven-year run, it had won and was nominated for numerous awards worldwide.

External links