The tremendous success of" Anne of Green Gables", starring Megan Follows, Richard Farnsworth and Colleen Dewhurst led to three sequels: ' (1987 aka "Anne of Avonlea" – US release) starring Follows, Dewhurst and Wendy Hiller, ' (1998) and most recently ' (2009) starring Barbara Hershey and Shirley MacLaine. Sullivan penned all three sequel screenplays as well as the novel for "Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning". An educational, animated series ' produced for PBS Kids and "Road to Avonlea" produced for CBC and Disney, were each successful spin offs from the Anne of Green Gables franchise.