Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel film succeeded in re-popularizing Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst in their original roles. Sullivan also cast British veteran actress and Oscar winner, Wendy Hiller, in the role of the impossible Mrs. Harris, a character Sullivan specifically invented for the storyline, based on a composite of several matriarchs found in the series of novels. In Canada, the film became the highest rated drama to air on network television in Canadian broadcasting history. This Sequel became known as "Anne of Green Gables - The Sequel" when shown around the world and as "Anne of Avonlea - the Continuing Story of Anne of
Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning that was seen as low compared to Sullivan's earlier "Anne" productions. The film was not well received by critics or fans. "The Globe and Mail"'s Kate Taylor said the film, "never justifies its presumption in inventing a new creation story for a Canadian literary icon." Bill Brioux felt that "maybe Anne just doesn't age all that well. Maybe she is supposed to stay in freckles and pigtails, locked in that perfect P.E.I. prism Montgomery authored and Sullivan so artfully adapted when they both were in their 20s." Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning Anne of Green Gables: A New