Road to Avonlea
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Road to Avonlea (also known simply as "Avonlea") is a television series which was first broadcast in the United States and Canada between 1990 and 1996. It was a U.S.-Canadian co-production (between The Disney Channel and Kevin Sullivan Entertainment), and was based upon a series of books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, which had previously been made as a TV-movie. The series premiered on 1990-01-07 in Canada and the following day in the U.S., and ran until October 1996.
The series is set in the fictional small town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, in the early 20th century (1898-1910). There, 10-year-old Montreal heiress Sara Stanley 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.
Main Cast of Characters
- Sara Stanley (played by Sarah Polley), an adventurous 10-year-old girl used to fine living, who must adjust to the simple life with her farmer relatives. (Seasons 1-5)
- Hetty King (played by Jackie Burroughs), a staid, humorless, middle-aged schoolteacher who takes care of Sara.
- Olivia King (Dale) (played by Mag Ruffman), Hetty's more forgiving, younger sister.
- Alec King (played by Cedric Smith), Sara's uncle, who runs the family farm next door.
- Janet King (née Ward) (played by Lally Cadeau), Alec's loving but independent-minded wife.
- Felicity King (played by Gema Zamprogna), 13-year-old daughter of Alec and Janet, who insists on taking on adult responsibilities.
- Felix King (played by Zachary Bennett), 10-year-old son of Alec and Janet, who is constantly getting into trouble.
- Cecily King (played by Harmony Cramp, later by Molly Atkinson), the shy, youngest daughter of Alec and Janet.
Other characters
- Rachel Lynde (played by Patricia Hamilton), a local busybody and self-appointed moral guardian; a character brought back from Anne of Green Gables
- Marilla Cuthbert (played by Colleen Dewhurst), Rachel's more tolerant best friend; a character brought back from Anne of Green Gables (seasons 1-3; character passes away after the death of the actress in 1991)
- Gus Pike (played by Michael Mahonen), a young vagabond who grows to earn the respect of the townsfolk (seasons 2-5)
- Jasper Dale (played by R.H. Thomson), a shy, stammering photographer who eventually marries Olivia.
- Muriel Stacey (played by Marilyn Lightstone), a schoolteacher who is a friend and sometimes a rival to Hetty; in terms of personality, they are polar opposites.
Guest stars to the show have included Michael York, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Christopher Reeve, Kate Nelligan, and Stockard Channing, to name a few.
The show was one of the most popular Canadian TV programs and received numerous awards.