For generations, the spirited orphan Anne Shirley has captivated hearts with her vivid imagination, fierce independence, and unwavering optimism. From Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novels to various screen adaptations, Anne’s journey has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. The most recent and widely celebrated iteration, Anne with an E, brought Anne’s world to life with a fresh perspective, making its season (and ultimately, series) finale a moment of intense anticipation and, for many, profound emotion.
The End of an Era: Season 3 as the Series Finale
The third season of Anne with an E, which premiered in November 2019, unexpectedly became its final season. Co-produced by Netflix and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the announcement of its cancellation left a loyal fanbase devastated and sparked widespread campaigns for its renewal. Despite the outcry, including millions of tweets, petitions, and even billboards, the decision stood, making the Season 3 finale, “The Better Feelings of My Heart,” the show’s conclusive chapter.
Unraveling “The Better Feelings of My Heart”
The Season 3 finale deftly wove together several critical narrative threads, offering a sense of closure for many beloved characters, particularly Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty) and Gilbert Blythe (Lucas Jade Zumann). The episode is a tapestry of misunderstandings, heartfelt confessions, and new beginnings.
Anne and Gilbert: A Love Confirmed
A central plotline revolved around the long-awaited romantic resolution between Anne and Gilbert. The episode opened with Gilbert breaking off his engagement to Winifred, realizing his true feelings for Anne. However, a series of miscommunications complicated their path. Anne, believing Gilbert was still engaged, wrote a letter confessing her love, but it never reached him. When Gilbert penned his own sincere declaration of love, Anne, misinterpreting his words due to her prior assumption, inadvertently tore up his letter, believing it to be a farewell confirming his engagement.
The truth finally emerged through Diana Barry (Dalila Bela), who informed Gilbert about Anne’s letter. This revelation prompted Gilbert to rush to Anne, culminating in their long-anticipated reunion and a passionate kiss. They finally acknowledged their mutual feelings and agreed to be pen pals as they embarked on their separate college journeys — Gilbert to the University of Toronto for medicine and Anne to Queen’s College.
Discovering Anne’s Roots and Embracing Her Future
Beyond romance, the finale also provided Anne with a significant piece of her personal history. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (R.H. Thomson and Geraldine James), ever loving and supportive, tirelessly searched for information about Anne’s birth parents. They eventually found a book belonging to Anne’s mother, containing a painting by her father, revealing that Anne inherited her distinctive red hair from her mother, who was also a teacher. This discovery offered Anne profound closure and helped her embrace her identity and physical appearance, completing a significant emotional arc.
Diana’s Educational Ambition
Diana’s journey also saw a pivotal moment. Initially, her parents vehemently opposed her desire to attend college, insisting she focus on finding a husband. However, with the support of Marilla and Miss Stacy, Diana eventually convinced her parents, securing her place at Queen’s and planning to room with Anne.
Unresolved Stories and Fan Disappointment
While many core storylines reached satisfying conclusions, some viewers felt that certain character arcs were left incomplete due to the unexpected cancellation. Notably, the storyline of Ka’kwet, a young Mi’kmaq girl who faced the horrors of residential schools, was left tragically unresolved, a point of significant concern and disappointment for many fans. The cancellation also meant that beloved book events, such as Matthew’s death and Rachel Lynde moving in with Marilla, would not be explored in this adaptation.
The Impact of Cancellation and Enduring Legacy
The decision to end Anne with an E after three seasons was met with widespread disappointment and a fervent #RenewAnneWithAnE campaign. Creator Moira Walley-Beckett expressed her devastation, stating that efforts to find a new home for the show or create a finale film were unsuccessful. Reports suggested that the cancellation was due to a breakdown in the partnership between Netflix and CBC, and a failure to meet specific audience targets in certain demographics.
Despite its untimely end, Anne with an E‘s finale provided many fans with a sense of completion for Anne’s central narrative, especially regarding her relationship with Gilbert and her journey of self-discovery. The show’s exploration of themes like feminism, prejudice, and identity, while occasionally diverging from the original novels, resonated with a new generation of viewers, solidifying its place as a cherished adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s timeless stories. The “Anne Shirley” character continues to inspire new adaptations, with a new Japanese anime series having premiered in April 2025, taking its own approach to Montgomery’s initial novels. The enduring appeal of Anne Shirley ensures that even as one chapter closes, her story, in various forms, will continue to be told.
