Anne with an E

NZ release: 12 May 2017

Violence Rated on: 12 May 2017

Seasons 1-3

What’s it about?

Anne, a young orphan girl finds a new life on Prince Edward Island. She must navigate the ups and downs of growing up in a community which is sceptical of her vibrant and imaginative nature.

The facts

Created by Moira Walley-Beckett (Breaking Bad, Flesh and Bone), with the opening episode directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider)
English language
30 episodes, about 50 minutes each
Adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 work Anne of Green Gables

Why did it get this rating?

Violence

There is conflict and some physical exchanges in the show. Two characters have a fist fight in a long scene that includes physical kicks and punches. It ends when one of them is knocked out unconscious.

Two characters get into a fight before one of them gets their head pushed against a furnace. The sound of their cries and their flesh sizzling is heard. Their wound is shown; however, it is not detailed.

A child slips off a rock. They get a large and bloody wound which is briefly shown twice.

A character is shot in the arm off-screen. A later scene shows their wounded arm and blood dripping down.

Cruelty

Anne is physically abused. This is shown through flashbacks and discussions about her past. In one brief scene, she is hit with a belt.

Bullying is a consistent theme throughout the show, which may be distressing for some viewers. Anne and other characters in the show are bullied. Adults and children verbally abuse her and mock her looks and personality.

A character intentionally hits a ladder when someone is on it, causing them to fall violently onto the floor. They break their wrist, and we hear their cries.

Racism

The Mi'kmaq characters in the show are discriminated against and treated harshly. They also get into conflict and their children are abducted. They are imprisoned.

One of the Mi'kmaq children is hit by a ruler. It is not shown but we hear the ruler hitting her hand and her scream. Another child is slapped in the face for being clumsy. They are imprisoned later on.

Black characters are discriminated against and treated unfairly.

Imitable behaviour

There is a scene where children use rifles without parental supervision.

The children celebrate by drinking moonshine.