''Emily of New Moon'' is a Canadian television series based on the ''

Emily of New Moon ''Emily of New Moon'' is the first in a series of novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery about a Canadian orphan girl growing up in Prince Edward Island. Montgomery is also the author of ''Anne of Green Gables'' series. It was first published in 1923. ...

'' series of novels by

Lucy Maud Montgomery Lucy Maud Montgomery (November 30, 1874 – April 24, 1942), published as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a collection of novels, essays, short stories, and poetry beginning in 1908 with '' Anne of Green Gables''. Sh ...

. The series first aired on

CBC Television CBC Television (also known as CBC TV, or simply CBC) is a Television in Canada, Canadian English-language terrestrial television, broadcast television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcasting, p ...

in Canada from April 1, 1998 to June 6, 2000; it also aired on the

Viva Viva may refer to: Companies and organisations * Viva (network operator), a Dominican mobile network operator * Viva Energy, an Australian petroleum company * Viva Entertainment, a Philippine media company * Viva Films, a Philippine film company ...

, Bravo! and

Vision TV VisionTV is a Television in Canada, Canadian English language Category A services, Category A specialty channel that broadcasts multi-faith, multicultural, and general entertainment programming aimed at the 45 and over demographic. VisionTV is ...

cable channels. In the United States, it aired on the

Cookie Jar Toons ''Cookie Jar Toons'' (also known as ''This is for Kids'') was a daily children's programming block on the This TV digital broadcast network when it was partially owned by the former Weigel Broadcasting (seven years later, the network was acquired ...

block on

This TV This TV (also known as This TV Network and alternately stylized as thisTV) was an American free-to-air television network owned by Allen Media Broadcast Networks, LLC, part of the Allen Media Group division of Entertainment Studios. Originally ...

. The series was produced by

Salter Street Films Salter Street Films was a Canadian television and film production company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. History Salter Street Films was founded by brothers Paul and Michael Donovan in 1983. Paul was trained as a director at the London Film S ...

; the executive producers were

Micheline Charest Micheline Charest (1 February 1953 – 14 April 2004) was a British-born Canadian television producer and founder and former co-chairman of CINAR (later Cookie Jar Entertainment). In 1997, Charest was ranked 19th in ''The Hollywood Reporters l ...

Michael Donovan Michael Donovan is a Canadian voice actor and director. Filmography Television Film Video games Anime *''Dragon Ball''Master Roshi *'' Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies''Penny's father, Master Roshi *'' Dragon Warrior'' - Ado ...

, and Ronald Weinberg as well as Marlene Matthews, Dale A. Andrews, and Matthew Nodella. The series consisted of three seasons of thirteen episodes and one season of seven episodes, for a total of forty-six episodes produced.

Series overview

The series starred

Martha MacIsaac Martha MacIsaac (born October 11, 1984) is a Canadian actress. She has appeared in several feature films, including ''Superbad (film), Superbad'' (2007), ''The Last House on the Left (2009 film), The Last House on the Left'' (2009), ''Dead Before ...

as the titular

orphan An orphan is a child whose parents have died, are unknown, or have permanently abandoned them. It can also refer to a child who has lost only one parent, as the Hebrew language, Hebrew translation, for example, is "fatherless". In some languages ...

Emily Starr.

Susan Clark Susan Clark (born Nora Golding; March 8, 1943) is a Canadians, Canadian actress. She made her big screen debut in the 1967 drama film ''Banning (film), Banning'' and the following year played the female lead in the crime thriller ''Coogan's Bluf ...

and

Sheila McCarthy Sheila McCarthy (born January 1, 1956) is a Canadian actress and singer. She has worked in film, television, and on stage. McCarthy is one of Canada's most honoured actors, having won two Genie Awards (film), two Gemini Awards (television), an AC ...

played Emily's aunts Elizabeth and Laura, who had taken on the responsibility of raising Emily following her father's death, and

Stephen McHattie Stephen McHattie Smith (born February 3, 1947) is a Canadian actor. Since beginning his professional career in 1970, he has amassed over 200 film and television credits. He won the Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in '' ...

played her cousin Jimmy. Susan Clark left the series after the first season when her character, Elizabeth, was killed off. Recurring cast included Chip Chuipka as Mr. Carpenter, Peter Donaldson as Ian Bowles,

Richard Donat Richard Donat (born 1 June 1941) is a Canadian actor, known for his work in Canadian and American television. He is well known for playing the character Vince Teagues in the Canadian–American TV series, '' Haven''. Donat is the younger brot ...

as Dr. Burnley,

Kris Lemche Kris Lemche (born February 23, 1978) is a Canadian actor. Career At 17 years old, Kris Lemche answered a newspaper casting call and won a role on the Disney series '' Flash Forward''. Abandoning plans to study biochemistry in university, Lemc ...

as Perry Miller, John Neville as Uncle Malcolm, Jessica Pellerin as Ilse Burnley,

Shawn Roberts Shawn Roberts (born April 2, 1984) is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in zombie films such as '' Land of the Dead'', '' Diary of the Dead'' and the ''Resident Evil'' franchise. Early life Roberts was born in Stratford, Ontario. He has ...

as Teddy Kent, and

Linda Thorson Linda Thorson (born Linda Robinson; June 18, 1947) is a Canadian actress known for playing Tara King in '' The Avengers'' (1968–69). Early life Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Linda Robinson attended Bishop Strachan School, and then moved ...

as Cousin Isabel. Guest stars included

Janet Wright Janet Wright (March 8, 1945 – November 14, 2016) was an English-born Canadian actress and theatre director. She was best known for her role as Emma Leroy on the Canadian sitcom, ''Corner Gas''. She performed in many film and television shows, ...

Phyllis Diller Phyllis Ada Diller (née Driver; July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012) was an American stand-up comedian, Actor, actress, author, musician, and visual artist, best known for her Eccentricity (behavior), eccentric stage persona, Self-deprecation, se ...

Martha Burns Martha Burns (born 23 April 1957)"Martha Burns ret ...

Maury Chaykin Maury Alan Chaykin (July 27, 1949 – July 27, 2010) was an American-Canadian actor. Described as "one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian cinema," he was best known for his portrayal of Rex Stout's detective Nero Wolfe on the televi ...

Martha Henry Martha Kathleen Henry (née Buhs; February 17, 1938October 21, 2021) was an American-Canadian actress and director of stage and screen. During her lifetime, she was considered one of her country’s most acclaimed and accomplished thespians. She ...

, Lisa Houle, William Hutt,

Michael Moriarty Michael Moriarty (born April 5, 1941) is an American-Canadian actor. He received an Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award for his role as a Nazi SS officer in the 1978 miniseries ''Holocaust'' and a Tony Award in 1974 for his performance in the ...

Barbara Feldon Barbara Feldon (born Barbara Anne Hall; March 12, 1933) is an American actress primarily known for her roles on television. Her most prominent role was that of Agent 99 in the 1965–1970 sitcom ''Get Smart''. Early life Feldon was born Barbar ...

Macha Grenon Macha Grenon (born June 7, 1968) is a Canadian film and television actress.Claire Rankin Claire Rankin is a Canadian actress. Career In the 1990s, Rankin performed in Shakespeare's plays ''Love's Labour's Lost'', ''Romeo and Juliet'' and ''The Tempest''. Rankin has appeared in over 50 films and television shows, including guest ...

Plot

This is the story of a young

girl named Emily Starr who is sent to live at New Moon Farm on

Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island is an island Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. While it is the smallest province by land area and population, it is the most densely populated. The island has several nicknames: "Garden of the Gulf", ...

with her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her Cousin Jimmy after her father dies of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...

. She makes friends with Ilse Burnley, Teddy Kent, and Perry Miller, the hired boy, who Aunt Elizabeth looks down upon because he was born in 'Stovepipe Town', a poorer district. Each of the children has a special gift. Emily was born to be a writer, Teddy is a gifted artist, Ilse is a talented

elocutionist Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone as well as the idea and practice of effective speech and its forms. It stems from the idea that while communication is symbolic, sounds are final and compelli ...

, and Perry has the makings of a great politician. They also each have a few problems with their families. Emily has a hard time getting along with Aunt Elizabeth, who does not understand her need to write. Ilse's father, Dr. Burnley, ignores Ilse most of the time because of a dreadful secret concerning Ilse's mother. Teddy's mother is jealous of her son's talents and friends, fearing that his love for them will eclipse his love for her; as a result, she hates Emily, Teddy's drawings, and even his pets. Perry is not as well off as the other three, so his Aunt Tom once tries to make Emily promise to marry Perry when they grow up, threatening that unless Emily does so, she will not pay for Perry's schooling. Other unforgettable characters are Dean "Jarback" Priest, a quiet, mysterious cynic who wants something he fears is ever unattainable; fiery Mr Carpenter, the crusty old schoolteacher who is Emily's mentor and honest critic when it comes to evaluating her stories and poems; "simple" Cousin Jimmy, who recites his poetry when the spirit moves him; Aunt Laura, who is the kind aunt; and strict, suspicious Aunt Elizabeth who yet proves to be an unexpected ally in times of trouble.

Cast

Main cast

as Emily Byrd Starr *

as Cousin Jimmy Murray *

as Aunt Laura Murray *

as Aunt Elizabeth Murray (main season 1; guest star seasons 2-3) *

as Cousin Isabel Murray (season 2-3) * John Neville as Uncle Malcolm Murray (season 2-3) * Jessica Pellerin as Ilse Burnley (main season 4; recurring seasons 1-3)

Recurring cast

as Teddy Kent *

as Perry Miller * Chip Chuipka as Mr. Francis Carpenter * Peter Donaldson as Ian Bowles *

as Dr. Allan Burnley * Marlene O'Brien as Mrs. Velma Stuart * Emily Cara Cook as Rhoda Stuart * Carroll Godsman as Mildred Kent *

Aaron Ashmore Aaron Richard Ashmore (born October 7, 1979) is a Canadian actor. He is the identical twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore. He is known for portraying Jimmy Olsen on ''Smallville'' (2006–2011), Steve Jinks on '' Warehouse 13'' (2011–2014), ...

as Harrison Bowles

Guest cast

as Douglas Starr *

as Aunt Thom *

as Great Aunt Nancy Priest *

Martha Burns Martha Burns (born 23 April 1957)"Martha Burns ret ...

as Eve Kinch *

as Lofty John *

as Megan Moore * Lisa Houle as Eve Kinch/Dr. Iris Campbell/Iris Burnley * William Hutt as Reverend Pitch/Satan *

as Madame Marlena *

as Juliet Starr * Ken Leckey as Officer Finchley * Sarah Briand as Young Emily * Peter Levi as Wowkiss * William Greenblatt as Duncan McHugh

Production

The series was developed by Marlene Matthews, who also wrote or co-wrote nineteen episodes of the series and served as one of the producers for the first three years. Additional writers include Nobu Adilman,

Leila Basen Leila Basen (born 1955) is a Canadian film and television writer and producer, most noted as one of the writers of the 2006 comedy film '' Bon Cop, Bad Cop''. A graduate of York University, she began her career as a writer for the CBC Television s ...

Heather Conkie Heather Conkie is a veteran Canadian television writer and producer who began her career as an actress. She was featured in multiple children's shows in the 1980s on TVOntario beginning first with '' Polka Dot Door''. Her first screenwriting cr ...

Dennis Foon Dennis Foon (born 18 November 1951) is a Canadian playwright, producer, screenwriter and novelist. He was co-founder and artistic director for 12 years of Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia. There he wrote and produced a body of ...

and Peter Meech. Episodes were directed by

George Bloomfield George Thomas Bloomfield (5 February 1882 – 1 November 1958) was an Australian cricketer. He played three first-class matches for South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, ...

, Richard Ciupka,

Phil Comeau Phil Comeau (born 1956) is a Canadian film and television director, born in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia. He lives in Moncton, New Brunswick and Montreal, Quebec. Biography Phil Comeau is a film and television director and scriptwriter, based i ...

Jimmy Kaufman James Kaufman (born April 1, 1949), known as Jimmy Kaufman or Jim Kaufman, is a film director, a photographer and an artist from Montreal, best known for directing the movies ''Time at the Top'' and ''Whiskers'', and episodes of TV series like ...

, Michael Kennedy,

Don McBrearty Don McBrearty is a Canadian film director. Career In 2003 McBrearty directed the made for television drama film '' Sex and the Single Mom''. It tells the story of Jess Gradwell (Gail O'Grady), a single and overly concerned mother of a 15-year-ol ...

Gabriel Pelletier Gabriel Pelletier (born 1958 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadians, Canadian film and television director. He is best known for his 1996 film ''Karmina (film), Karmina'', for which he was a Genie Award nominee for Academy of Canadian Cinema and Telev ...

Jean-François Pouliot Jean-François Pouliot (born 1957) is a Canadian film director from Quebec. He was born in Montreal and studied at Concordia University. He worked as an assistant cameraman, while also writing and directing short animated films for the National ...

, and

Giles Walker Giles Walker (January 17, 1946 – March 23, 2020) was a Scottish-born Canadian film director. Biography Giles Walker, born in 1946 in Dundee, Scotland, received a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick and an M.A. from Stanford University ...

Episodes

Season 1 (1998)

Season 2 (1998–99)

Season 3 (1999)

Season 4 (2000)

Home Media releases

United States

Echo Bridge Home Entertainment Echo Bridge Entertainment was an American independent distribution company. It acquired and distributed feature films, scripted and non-scripted series, documentaries, and children's programming for home video, digital and television in the Unit ...

has released all four seasons on DVD in the United States, as well as a complete series DVD set.

Canada

Alliance Home Entertainment has released all four seasons on DVD in Canada for the very first time.

Streaming

As of 2017, the show has begun streaming for free on

Canada Media Fund The Canada Media Fund (CMF, ) is a public–private partnership founded on April 1, 2010, by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canadian cable industry. It is used to fund the creation of original Canadian content and support the Canadi ...

's Encore+ YouTube page. Unfortunately Encore+ YouTube channel was discontinued in November 2022.

References

External links

L.M. Montgomery Online
This scholarly site includes a blog, a bibliography of reference materials, and a complete filmography of all adaptations of Montgomery texts. See, in particular, the page fo
''Emily of New Moon''
* {{IMDb title, id=0135727, title=Emily of New Moon *
The Official Emily of New Moon Fan Site
Includes a synopsis of the series and information on the cast and crew behind the Emily of New Moon television series. CBC Television original programming 1990s Canadian drama television series 1998 Canadian television series debuts 2000s Canadian drama television series 2000 Canadian television series endings Television series by Cookie Jar Entertainment Television shows set in Prince Edward Island Television shows filmed in Prince Edward Island Culture of Charlottetown Summerside, Prince Edward Island Period family drama television series Canadian English-language television shows Television series by Alliance Atlantis