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Breakthrough Entertainment Joins With Heirs Of Lucy Maud Montgomery To Produce 13-Episode Anne Of Green Gables Television Serie
Association Marks First Time Heirs - Led By Granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler - Are Involved With The Development And Production Of A TV Series Based On L.M. Montgomery's Original Vision
For Immediate Release:
BANFF/TORONTO (June 11, 2012) — Leading Canadian production-distribution studio Breakthrough Entertainment and the heirs of beloved Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery have joined forces to develop and produce a 13-episode series for television based on one of Canada — and the world's — most celebrated and eternal book series, Anne of Green Gable. Announcement of the all-new Anne of Green Gable television series was made jointly at the Banff World Media Festival by Breakthrough Entertainment principals Ira Levy and Peter Williamson, and Executive Producer Joan Lambur and Kate Macdonald Butler, granddaughter of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Set for production in 2013 in the Canadian Maritimes, Breakthrough Entertainment's Anne of Green Gable will be a contemporary retelling of the famed book series while capturing author Lucy Maud Montgomery's original vision for her characters and stories.
First published in 1908, Anne of Green Gable remains an iconic work selling more than 50 million copies worldwide. The eight classic Anne of Green Gables novels have attracted generations of readers inspired by the adventures of the spirited redhead Anne Shirley, who comes to stay at Green Gables and wins the hearts of everyone she meets.
The new television series — to be produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in partnership with the L.M. Montgomery heirs — will capture the timeless novels' themes and present them for contemporary viewing audiences.
Lucy Maud Montgomery granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler resides in Toronto, Canada and is the daughter of Ruth Macdonald and the late Dr. Stuart Macdonald, L. M. Montgomery's youngest son. Macdonald Butler is also the mother of an adult son and daughter.
As the President of family-owned Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc., Macdonald Butler oversees all Lucy Maud Montgomery related inquiries and projects, including publishing, film and television, and merchandising ventures. On behalf of her family, Macdonald Butler travels extensively around the world to attend events celebrating to the legacy of L.M. Montgomery. Macdonald Butler also serves as a Board Member of the Anne of Green Gable Licensing Authority Inc. and manages the Toronto office of the "Anne" Authority, jointly owned by the Province of Prince Edward Island and Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc. As a Board Member of the "Anne" Authority, she reviews licensing applications and negotiates licensing agreements with manufacturing and retail parties seeking to develop Anne of Green Gable merchandise. Having earned a degree from Ryerson University in food and nutrition, Macdonald Butler authored the popular Anne of Green Gable Cookbook, published in 1984 by Oxford University Press Canada, which continues to remain a steady seller.
"Ever since having the Anne of Green Gable television rights returned to the L. M. Montgomery heirs, we have strived to find a production partner that would be committed to the novels' authenticity, and the vision of their author. Breakthrough Entertainment is the partner we have been searching for. Regarded worldwide for its production excellence, Breakthrough Entertainment is also recognized for its nurturing support of the creative community — a quality that is crucial to our family," said Macdonald Butler.
" We are extremely delighted to be producing a television series based on one of the world's most timeless classics — and to be involved with the family whose daily mission through the decades has been to maintain the brilliant legacy of their grandmother," said Breakthrough's Peter Williamson.
"We have long dreamt of producing Anne of Green Gable as a contemporary television series that pays homage to the author's intent. Now, working together with Kate Macdonald Butler and the L.M. Montgomery family we have this rare privilege," said Breakthrough's Ira Levy.
About Breakthrough Entertainment:
Headquartered in Toronto, Breakthrough Entertainment Inc. (BEI) is a leading global producer and distributor of acclaimed primetime comedy and drama series, as well as factual entertainment, documentaries, television movies, family entertainment and children's animation. As one of Canada's largest television production and distribution companies, BEI has licensed programs to major broadcasters in over 200 territories. With a catalogue of over 3000 half-hours of programming, the company handles distribution as well as worldwide pre-sales, co-productions and third-party acquisitions. In addition to its dedicated program development, production and distribution divisions, Breakthrough's digital media division ranks among one of the industry's most respected producers of high quality digital entertainment including websites, and online, mobile, ITV and iphone games. www.breakthroughentertainment.com
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