Megan Follows became widely known for playing Anne Shirley in the beloved 1985 miniseries Anne of Green Gables, based on the 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Follows was just 17 when she took on the role of the imaginative orphan adopted by two farmers, and she later reprised the character in sequels released in 1987 and 2000. Now 53, she’s still active in the industry and has expanded her career beyond acting.
Although Anne of Green Gables made her a star, Follows had already begun acting before landing the part. She appeared in the Canadian series Matt and Jenny and guest-starred on shows like The Facts of Life. Her breakout performance earned her a Gemini Award for Best Lead Actress in a Single Dramatic Program or Miniseries, helping launch a long and steady career.
Over the years, Follows has appeared in a variety of television projects, including Law & Order, ER, and The X-Files, while also performing in Canadian theater productions. In more recent years, she gained new fans as Catherine de’ Medici in the CW drama Reign and later took on a recurring role in Wynonna Earp. She has also appeared in The Republic of Sarah and the long-running Canadian series Heartland.
Beyond acting, Follows has stepped behind the camera as a director, working on several projects she also starred in, including Reign and The Republic of Sarah. She has said she enjoys shaping stories from both perspectives and finds directing a rewarding extension of her creative work.
Off-screen, Follows is a mother of two children, Lyla and Russell, whom she shares with ex-husband Christopher Porter. She often brought them to sets and rehearsals while they were growing up, and her daughter Lyla has even followed in her footsteps, appearing alongside her in Reign.
Decades later, Follows still appreciates the lasting impact of Anne of Green Gables. She has said the passion from fans never fades and that hearing how deeply the character resonated with audiences continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of her career.
