Megan Follows - From Green Gables To Directing
For many, the name Megan Follows immediately brings to mind a certain spirited redhead with a knack for getting into scrapes and a heart full of big dreams. That, is that, truly iconic way she brought Anne Shirley to life in the 1985 Anne of Green Gables television series really captured so many people's attention, and it's a performance that, you know, still resonates with folks today. She's recently been making headlines for a pretty interesting full-circle moment, too, stepping into the shoes of the very person who dreamed up Anne in the first place.
But Megan Follows is, like, so much more than just Anne Shirley. Her work stretches far beyond that beloved character, actually, taking her into a wide array of acting parts across television and movies. She's also, very importantly, made a significant mark behind the camera, steering the direction of many different creative undertakings, which, in a way, shows just how versatile her talents truly are.
This article aims to, sort of, take a closer look at her remarkable career, from her early days as a young actress taking on a role that would define a generation, to her current work as a director and her upcoming portrayal of a literary giant. We'll explore, you know, the different paths her professional life has taken and why she continues to be such a respected figure in the entertainment world, which is quite something.
Table of Contents
- A Look at Megan Follows' Life and Work
- Who is Megan Follows - A Personal Sketch?
- Megan Follows - Early Life and Family Connections
- What Roles Has Megan Follows Played?
- Megan Follows - The Iconic Anne Shirley Portrayal
- How Has Megan Follows' Career Grown Behind the Camera?
- Megan Follows - A Return to the World of Avonlea
- Where Can You See Megan Follows' Work?
A Look at Megan Follows' Life and Work
Megan Follows has, in some respects, built a truly impressive body of work over the years, becoming a familiar face to audiences across Canada and beyond. Her journey in the entertainment business has seen her take on a diverse collection of parts, really showing her range as a performer. It's almost as if she has a natural gift for bringing characters to life, whether they are, you know, well-known literary figures or fresh faces on a television screen. This section will just give a broad overview of her contributions to both acting and directing, painting a picture of a career that is, quite honestly, full of interesting turns and lasting impressions.
Who is Megan Follows - A Personal Sketch?
Many people know Megan Follows for her work on screen, but there's, you know, a bit more to her story than just the characters she plays. She's a Canadian actress, a director, and has even been involved in soundtrack production, which is pretty neat. Born in Toronto, Ontario, she comes from a family deeply connected to the arts, which, apparently, seems to have set her on a path toward a life in front of and behind the camera. This part will offer some personal details, giving a clearer picture of the person behind the performances, and, you know, providing some basic facts about her background.
Here's a quick look at some personal details for Megan Follows:
| Full Name | Megan Elizabeth Laura Diana Follows |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Parents | Ted Follows and Dawn Greenhalgh |
| Spouse (Former) | Christopher Porter |
| Children | Two (with Christopher Porter) |
| Known For | Playing Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables (1985) |
Megan Follows - Early Life and Family Connections
Megan Follows, as a matter of fact, entered the world on March 14, 1968, in Toronto, Ontario, and she was the youngest child of Ted Follows and Dawn Greenhalgh. It's worth noting that her parents were, in fact, part of the founding group for Canada's summer theater, which, you know, gives you a sense of the creative environment she grew up in. This background, you know, likely played a pretty big part in shaping her own interest in performing and storytelling. Growing up in a family with such strong artistic roots probably, you know, made it almost natural for her to find her way into acting and directing, setting the stage for a career that would, quite literally, span decades.
What Roles Has Megan Follows Played?
Megan Follows has, honestly, quite a long list of acting credits to her name, going well beyond just her most famous part. She's, apparently, appeared in over 100 television and film productions, which is a truly impressive number for any performer. While her portrayal of Anne Shirley is, of course, what most people immediately think of, she has also, very consistently, taken on a wide variety of other interesting characters. For example, she was a part of the cast for the series Reign, and also appeared in Murdoch Mysteries, which are both, you know, pretty popular shows. Another notable role was in Under the Piano, where she played a woman with autism who had a special gift for music but relied quite a bit on her sister's care. These different parts really show her ability to, you know, take on different kinds of stories and bring unique qualities to each character she plays.
Megan Follows - The Iconic Anne Shirley Portrayal
It's, you know, virtually impossible to talk about Megan Follows without spending a good amount of time on her portrayal of Anne Shirley. She was, in fact, just 16 years old when she was chosen for the part in the 1985 miniseries adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, which is, honestly, a pretty young age to take on such a significant role. Her performance, quite frankly, captured the very spirit of Anne in a way that truly resonated with audiences all over the world. It was a performance that, you know, brought her a great deal of recognition, including two Gemini Awards for best performance by a lead actress, one in 1986 and another in 1988. She also, obviously, went on to reprise the role in the sequels to the original miniseries, further cementing her connection to the character. This particular part, you know, really launched her into the public eye and established her as a talent to watch, setting the stage for everything else that would come in her career.
How Has Megan Follows' Career Grown Behind the Camera?
Beyond her work as an actress, Megan Follows has, as a matter of fact, also made a significant name for herself as a director. She has, you know, quite recently taken a seat in the director’s chair for several different projects, showing that her creative talents extend well beyond just acting. For instance, she has directed a number of episodes for popular television shows like Murdoch Mysteries and Reign, which, you know, are both pretty well-known series. Her work as a director has, apparently, also earned her some significant praise, including winning the DGC Outstanding Directorial award, which is a pretty big honor in the industry. This shift into directing, you know, really highlights her deeper involvement in the storytelling process and her ability to guide a production from a different perspective, showing that she's truly a multi-talented individual in the entertainment field.
Megan Follows - A Return to the World of Avonlea
In a rather interesting turn of events, Megan Follows is, you know, coming full circle with the story that made her a household name. After her breakthrough role as Anne Shirley, she will now, actually, be playing the author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery, in an upcoming series called Lucy. This is, quite honestly, a pretty special moment for fans, seeing her return to the world of Avonlea, but from a completely different viewpoint. It’s, you know, almost as if her career is weaving back to its beginnings in a very meaningful way. She has also, in fact, directed a new Audible original version of the story, which features the voice talents of Sandra Oh and others, further connecting her to the beloved tale in new and interesting ways. This really shows her lasting connection to the story and its characters, which is, honestly, pretty heartwarming.
Where Can You See Megan Follows' Work?
If you're interested in seeing more of Megan Follows' work, there are, you know, many different places to look. Her full list of movies and television shows from her career is, apparently, quite extensive, offering a wide range of choices for viewers. You can, for instance, find out where to watch her latest movies and television shows by checking various streaming platforms and online guides. Many of her older projects, like the original Anne of Green Gables miniseries, are, in fact, often available on streaming services or through official websites, such as the official Anne of Green Gables site for the 1985 miniseries created by Kevin Sullivan. This site, you know, also offers exclusive materials and behind-the-scenes content that fans might really enjoy, making it a pretty good place to start if you want to revisit the Lucy Maud Montgomery classic and explore the world of Avonlea, which is quite nice.
Megan Follows has, in some respects, built a truly lasting career, moving from a memorable acting part to becoming a respected director. Her ability to, you know, bring characters to life and guide stories from behind the camera shows a remarkable range of talent. From her early days as Anne Shirley, a role that, you know, earned her significant awards, to her current projects, including playing the author of Anne's story, she has, apparently, remained a consistent and important presence in Canadian and international entertainment. She has also, quite clearly, explored many different kinds of stories, from historical dramas to contemporary television, which is pretty cool. Her work, both in front of and behind the lens, continues to, you know, capture the attention of audiences and critics alike, marking her as a truly versatile and dedicated professional in the world of film and television.
Megan Follows
Megan Follows
Megan Follows | StageView
