Former Anne of Green Gables actress Megan Follows will portray the creator in the Lucy Maud series.

      Former Anne of Green Gables star Megan Follows is preparing to reprise her role related to the beloved character, but in a new capacity. According to Variety, Follows will portray Lucy Maud Montgomery, the creator of Anne Shirley, in the biopic series titled Lucy. Maud, which focuses on the life of the renowned Canadian author.

      Originally published in 1908, *Anne of Green Gables* tells the story of the orphaned Anne Shirley, who is sent to reside with the Cuthbert family in Prince Edward Island. Anne distinguishes herself from other children in her community with her imaginative spirit, outspoken nature, and a strong belief in the goodness of those around her.

      Throughout her career, Montgomery authored eight novels about Anne, with a ninth released posthumously over six decades after her passing. Despite writing numerous books, short stories, and poems, *Anne of Green Gables* has consistently remained her most celebrated work globally, spawning numerous adaptations in film, television, and stage productions. In Canada, both Montgomery and Anne hold a place of reverence, with Montgomery's hometown in PEI attracting many tourists as it served as the primary inspiration for Anne’s residence.

      "I’ve always been incredibly grateful to have been introduced, as a young woman, to the power of a character who was a central figure in her own narrative," Follows expressed to Variety. "One thing I share with the writers [of the show] is that our lives were profoundly impacted by Anne. She shaped us as artists, as writers, and me as an actor."

      Follows first took on the role of Anne in the 1985 adaptation of *Anne of Green Gables*, playing the character again in two of its three sequels. In 2018, she discussed her experiences in *Anne*, *Reign*, and *Wynonna Earp*, noting of Anne Shirley, “As a young person, I was privileged to portray such an extraordinary character, who is wonderfully crafted. I played someone who, as a young female, was at the heart of the story; her thoughts and feelings, her aspirations were fundamental to the plot. She wasn’t merely an accessory to someone else’s narrative.”

      In *Lucy. Maud*, Follows will depict Montgomery from her 40s until her death, with other actresses portraying her younger self. The series will draw inspiration from Mary Rubio’s biography of Montgomery, *The Gift of Wings*, and is being developed and written by Susan Coyne and Rosa Laborde for A Story Girls Production.

      "I will portray Maud, as that was her preferred name, from her forties until the end of her life," Follows stated. "We will also embark on an exciting journey with a young Maud and her in her twenties. There will be multiple timelines that we will uncover and experience with her."

      Furthermore, Anne Shirley will appear in the series through Montgomery's imagination "as a presence she engages with." Follows elaborated, "Maud was an incredibly vivid dreamer: she had hyperphantasia. She truly brought her characters to life. Although pressured by her publisher to make them more conventional, she was truly ahead of her era. Women had to navigate their ambitions carefully, and Anne, for example, is an extremely ambitious character."

      In addition to her acting role, Follows will also direct the series and co-produce alongside Edwina Follows and Mary Young Leckie.