Corus Entertainment Greenlights Second and Third Instalments of L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables: Good Stars and Fire & Dew

Produced by Breakthrough Entertainment and Starring Ella Ballentine, Martin Sheen, and Sara Botsford in Reprising Roles

Production Now Underway in Canada

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TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment announced today it has commissioned Good Stars and Fire & Dew, the second and third instalments of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series of films produced by Breakthrough Entertainment. Ella Ballentine (Anne Shirley), Martin Sheen (Matthew Cuthbert), and Sara Botsford (Marilla Cuthbert) return for the sequels. L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables: Good Stars and Fire & Dew have begun production and will premiere on Corus Entertainment's YTV, the #1 Kids channel in Canada (K6-11)*, in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Following the successful world broadcast premiere of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables on YTV, Breakthrough Entertainment's Joan Lambur, Peter Williamson, and Ira Levy are back to executive produce the next two movies, along with Lucy Maud Montgomery's granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler. Award-winning director John Kent Harrison, who also wrote Good Stars returns, as well as Susan Coyne who wrote Fire & Dew.

"L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables is as iconic as it is Canadian and we're proud to be adding two more films to our repertoire," said Daniel Eves, Senior Vice President, Kids and General Entertainment Content, Corus Entertainment. "This greenlight of two new Anne of Green Gables films is part of Corus' ongoing commitment to producing and presenting the best Canadian kids content for families across the country."

"It's an honour and a privilege to continue to tell the tales of Anne Shirley," said Joan Lambur, Executive Producer, Breakthrough Entertainment. "There are so many relevant and powerful themes present in Anne Shirley's adventures in Green Gables, and through our partnership with Corus we will continue to tell these stories and a new generation will experience watching Anne grow into the inspirational character we have loved for years," said Peter Williamson, Executive Producer, Breakthrough Entertainment.

In Good Stars; our beloved Anne Shirley turns thirteen and faces a host of new milestones: first sleepovers, culinary misadventures, and shifting relationships with her bosom friend Diana and academic rival Gilbert Blythe. Through all this, Anne strives to strike a balance between becoming an upstanding, sensible young woman, and embracing her inquisitive and free-spirited nature.

In Fire & Dew; Anne heads to Charlottetown to attend accelerated classes as she continues to work towards her dream of being a school teacher. While there, she is forced to adapt quickly to her new surroundings and classmates as she navigates her way through her first school experience outside of her beloved Green Gables. Anne finds herself facing daunting choices for her future, the stirrings of romance, and tragedy unlike anything she's ever known. Meanwhile, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert contend with advancing age as they deal with financial challenges and creeping ailments.

Originally published back in 1908 by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the tale of Anne Shirley and her adventures in Green Gables span over 8 novels and has reached readers in over 20 languages.

"Since this story and its beloved characters have been a part of my family for generations, it makes me happy to see Anne Shirley continue to inspire children worldwide," said Kate Macdonald Butler, Executive Producer and granddaughter of Lucy Maud Montgomery. "My grandmother would be incredibly proud of the direction Breakthrough has taken her classic tale and how families continue to bond over the lessons Anne learns through her adventures."

The first film in the series has been watched by families worldwide through broadcasters Corus Entertainment in Canada, PBS in the United States, ITV in the UK, ARD in Germany, and a recent theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand.

*Source: Numeris (BBM Canada), 09/05/2015 – 09/04/2016, Signon to Signoff, Across all Youth Network in Canada.

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 Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands include Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

For Media Inquiries and to schedule interviews, please contact: Rebecca Rebeiro, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6474, [email protected]; Cynthia Amsden, Roundstone Communications, 416.910.7740, [email protected]; Kevin Perkin, Ireland + Hall Communications, 416.700.8681, [email protected]