Fresh Ginger

Amybeth McNulty, the new Anne of Green Gables, on red hair, gritty dramas and portraying CanLit’s most beloved heroine.

- Courtney Shea

You’re Anne Shirley in the new Anne of Green Gables miniseries. Nearly 2,000 actors tried out for the role. Any idea how you clinched it? 

I didn’t realize what a big deal it was until just before I came to Toronto from Ireland for the final audition! I haven’t experienced the trauma that Anne did, but I’ve been told we have similarities. We share a love of the world—of God, humans and nature. We merged really well, so it wasn’t just acting for me.

With the books and the 1985 CBC series, there’s lots of material to draw on. How did you prepare? 

I didn’t watch or read any versions of the story, other than our script, because I didn’t want to be affected by them. 

Anne has a real knack for landing in sticky situations. Do you share that quality?