Character's Bio: Sara Stanley

Eleven-year-old Sara Stanley is used to a luxurious lifestyle in her hometown of Montreal. Her mother, Ruth King, died of TB when Sara was only a baby. When Sara’s father runs into trouble, Sara is sent to live with her mother’s family - siblings Hetty, Alec, Roger and Olivia. When she arrives, Sara’s nanny is sent back to Montreal, and Sara must adjust to a simpler lifestyle in Avonlea while living at Rose Cottage with Hetty and Olivia. Throughout seasons 3, 4, and 5, Sara takes it upon herself to act as the Avonlea matchmaker. By season 6, her Aunt Hetty and her nanny, Louisa, begin planning her future without her. Sara, however, has other plans. She dreams of becoming a writer and attending a very prestigious school in Paris – alone. Hetty and Louisa agree to let her go, and Sara leaves Avonlea only to return in the final season for her cousin Felicity’s wedding to Gus Pike.

Actor's Bio: Sarah Polley

Sara Polley became a veteran of film and television while still in her teens, and grew up on Road to Avonlea - as did her character, Sara Stanley. Like her character, Sara is an intelligent, fiercely independent woman, and brought many talents and natural charm to the show. Sarah made her screen debut at age four, playing a street waif in the feature One Magic Christmas, starting Jan Rubes. She won North American critical acclaim at the age of nine for her performance in the PBS family series Ramona, and went on to win international recognition for her lead role in Terry Gilliam’s big screen fantasy adventure, The Adventures of Baron Manchausen. Polley’s portrayal of the only surviving child in a school bus crash in Atom Egoyan’s celebrated feature The Sweet Hereafter earned her a Genie nomination as best actress. Other credits include principal roles in feature films The Last Night, The Weight of Water, Exotica, Green Monkey, The Big Town and Pretty Kill. Most recently, Sara has demonstrated her abilities behind the camera as writer and director of the Canadian based feature Away From Her, which earned many nominations and won various awards. Her most recent film was the sci-fi thriller, Splice, starring Adrien Brody.

 

Character's Bio: Hetty King

The eldest of five siblings, Hetty is the head of the King family and respected schoolteacher of Avonlea. She is a humourless middle-aged woman, who finds change difficult to handle. Hetty lives at Rose Cottage with her sister, Olivia, and her niece, Sara. In later seasons, Hetty King gives up being a schoolteacher in order to pursue her dream of being a writer. Once Sara leaves for Paris, leaving Rose Cottage very much empty, Hetty decides to have Mrs. Lynde move in with her, along with the adopted twins Davey and Dora Keith.

Actor's Bio: Jackie Burroughs

An actress of incomparable breadth and talent, Jackie Burroughs earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Canada’s premiere actresses both on stage and screen. She had won just about every conceivable show business award in Canada. Her performance as the well-intentioned, headstrong and domineering Hetty King has garnered her three Gemini Awards for Best Actress in 1990, 1992 and 1994. Jackie Burroughs had a reputation for being an encouraging and enthusiastic supporter of Canada’s young actors and playwrights. She was known to turn down leading roles at some of Canada’s most prestigious theatres to work for nothing on small ‘fringe’ productions introducing a new playwright’s work. Her participation in many so-called alternative productions has been responsible for drawing public attention to many an independent work. Indeed, like her character Hetty, Jackie Burroughs placed a premium on her independence, both creative and personal. Her body of work is extensive, but she is best known in recent years for the critically acclaimed A Winter Tan, which she both co-directed and co-wrote as well as starred in. Filmed on location in Mexico, A Winter Tan garnered her a 1988 Best Actress Genie Award, and gave her a new love. During the hiatus periods of Road to Avonlea, Ms. Burroughs spent her summers in Mexico, overseeing the construction of her home.

Sadly, the beloved actress died of cancer on September 22, 2010, at the age of 71.

 

Character's Bio: Olivia Dale

Olivia is the youngest of the King siblings, and Sara’s most affectionate aunt. Olivia eventually begins working as a reporter for the local newspaper. It is here that she meets the man who will eventually become her husband, Jasper Dale - a photographer for the newspaper. Once she and Jasper are married, Olivia leaves Rose Cottage and has a son named Montgomery. Olivia and Jasper later adopt a baby girl named Alicia.

Actor's Bio: Mag Ruffman

Mag Ruffman brings an enthusiastic innocence to her work on Road to Avonlea, lending vitality to the determined career woman, Olivia Dale. Her natural charms and professionalism help her give a loving push to her shy, inventor husband Jasper. In addition to be being an accomplished actress, musician, dancer and singer, Ms. Ruffman possesses the unique gift of being able to relate to children on their own level. She was sought out constantly by the entire junior Avonlea cast for advice on everything from how to tune a flute to how to smuggle newts into the girls’ trailer. Ms Ruffman’s television credits include Anything I Can Do, A Repair to Remember, Debbie Travis and Mag Ruffman Live. She also appeared in Kevin Sullivan’s Emmy Award-winning film Looking For Miracles, and played the part of Alice Lawson in the Anne of Green Gables series.

 

Character's Bio: Alec King

Alec King was the first born son of the King family. He owns and operates King farm, which is next door to Rose Cottage, where his sisters, Hetty and Olivia, live. He has four children (Felicity, Felix, Cecily and Daniel) and is married to Janet King.

Actor's Bio: Cedric Smith

Cedric Smith never thought he would have children – until he was cast as Alec King, the calm and insightful father of four. His portrayal of the easy-going PEI farmer earned him a 1993 Best Actor Gemini Award, and prepared him for his role as father in his private life. Cedric began his career as a folk-singer in Stratford and has been involved with film and television productions since his first role as Dr. Zvarich in the 1977 film adaptation of Who Has Seen the Wind? Since then his credits number more than one hundred various roles, including Kevin Sullivan’s Butterbox Babies and Sleeping Dogs Lie. He has also provided his voice for a number of documentaries and characters in animated features, such as "Tupper" in Sullivan’s film Anne: Journey to Green Gables.

 

Character's Bio: Janet King

Janet King is married to Alec and has four children. She is a very loving wife, but is also very independent-minded. In addition to her role as mother, Janet becomes a leader of the women’s suffrage movement in Avonlea. She has a sister named Abigail (played by Rosemary Dunsmore).

Actor's Bio: Lally Cadeau

Since winning the ACTRA Award for best newcomer in 1981, Lally Cadeau has received over a dozen nominations and awards for her work in television, film, radio, and stage, including the 1995 Gemini for Best Actress in a leading role for her work as Aunt Janet on Road to Avonlea. Other awards have included a Bijou and an ACTRA for her work in the critically acclaimed You’ve Come a Long Way, Katie. Ms. Cadeau also starred in the CBC series Hangin’ In for six years before performing on Road to Avonlea. Other television credits include guest-starring roles in Street Legal, Kane and Abel, Adderly, Twilight Zone and King of Kensington.

 

Character's Bio: Felix King

Felix is the eldest son of Alec and Janet. He is very mischievous and will often get into trouble. He eventually befriends Isolde Pettibone (Izzy) who is the daughter of Mr. Pettibone, the widowed schoolteacher who takes over the Avonlea schoolhouse when Hetty retires. In later seasons, a romance begins to develop between Felix and his good friend, Izzy.

Actor's Bio: Zachary Bennett

Like Gema Zamprogna, who plays his sister, Felicity, on Road to Avonlea, Zachary Bennett also comes from an acting family. His father teaches drama, his mother is his coach, and his elder brother Gareth, and sisters Marion and Sophie, all work in the field.

Zachary’s role as the irrepressible Felix King matured over the course of the show. The Felix of Season 1 - indefatigable tease, lover of adventure stories and shirker of chores - matured into a responsible young man who knows his own mind and always has an eye for a quick dollar.

Zach is already a veteran actor on an international scale. Aside from his work in Canada, Zach has worked in the United States, Europe, New Zealand, the former Czechoslovakia and Mexico with some of the best known names in the entertainment industry, including Leonard Nimoy, Sam Waterson, Diane Keaton, Liam Neeson and Jan Rubes.

Film credits include The Good Mother with Diane Keaton, Back to Hannibal with Megan Follows, The Muppets Christmas Special, the lead in the four-hour mini-series By Way of the Stars and Sullivan Entertainment’s Looking for Miracles, for which he received an Emmy nomination. Television credits include Shattered City, Blind Faith, Lantern Hill and Twice in a Lifetime. His recent credits include appearances on a number of television series.

Character's Bio: Felicity King

<>Felicity is Alec and Janet’s eldest daughter. She often takes on adult responsibility and feels superior to her four siblings and her cousin Sara.

 

Actor's Bio: Gema Zamprogna

A talented actress, a scholarship winning student and an accomplished dancer, Gema Zamprogna, like her character Felicity King, is one of those enviable young adults who can turn their hand at almost anything with brilliant results. Gema is a native of Hamilton, Ontario and comes from a stage family. Her parents operate a dance school, and her father Lou is a professional Director/Choreographer and director of a performing arts program at Hamilton’s Theatre Aquaris. Dominic and Amanda, Gema’s twin siblings, are also accomplished stage and screen actors.

Gema’s portrayal of the opinionated and frequently bossy Felicity King has brought her 1991 and 1994 Gemini nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

Gema’s other film credits include a co-starring role on Sullivan’s four-hour mini-series, By Way of the Stars, the leading role in the TV film The Challengers, as well as principal roles in Defense of a Married Man, Amerika, Friday the 13th, War of the Worlds and Forever Knight. Her stage credits include The Queen in Winnie the Pooh, Little Marie Antionette in the opera Andrea Chenier as well as productions of Into the Woods, Chess and West Side Story.

 

Character's Bio: Cecily King

Cecily is the younger and quieter daughter of Alec and Janet King. She is more interested in farm work than her brother. As a result, Alec considers leaving King Farm to her after his death, knowing he will be leaving it in good hands.

Actor's Bio: Harmony Cramp

Harmony Cramp’s first major role in a television series was on Road to Avonlea. Prior to that, she appeared in the feature film The January Man, in which she was saved from a burning building by Kevin Kline; and in an episode of the CTV series The Campbells. Eventually, Harmony would leave Road to Avonlea and be replaced by actress Molly Atkinson, who would complete the series as Cecily King and later appear in An Avonlea Christmas.

 

Kevin Sullivan: Executive Producer, Writer, Director

Kevin Sullivan is the President of Sullivan Entertainment Inc. which he and his partner, Trudy Grant, founded in 1979. Internationally recognized as one of the leading producers of high quality entertainment and renowned for his directorial ease with children and top performers, Mr. Sullivan has achieved myriad accolades and awards over the past two decades. His ability to consistently produce top-notch entertainment as well as to attract big name stars has enhanced the image of Sullivan Entertainment throughout the world.

Under Mr. Sullivan’s guidance Sullivan Entertainment has developed a distinctive brand of story-telling. Lavish productions that are emotionally compelling and entertaining have become the hallmark of the company Mr. Sullivan founded more than 20 years ago.

 

Trudy Grant: Co-Executive Producer

Trudy Grant is the President of Sullivan Entertainment International, which she founded in 1981. Through her leadership, the company has emerged as a major player in the world marketplace and particularly in the television arena.

Her involvement in distribution prompted her to form Sullivan Entertainment International to better administer the Sullivan product. The company’s penetration into many of the world’s less accessible markets makes it one of the few companies that can truly be considered international, having developed key relationships with buyers and financiers for various co-productions. One of Ms. Grant’s main achievements is the sale of the mini-series “Anne of Green Gables” to more than 120 countries around the globe.

Ms. Grant has evolved into the guiding light behind the company’s financial success. By strategically maximizing financial opportunities, Ms. Grant has built a very successful international business around the Sullivan brand.

 

Paul Shapiro: Director

Paul Shapiro: Paul Shapiro is a Gemini Award-winning director who, in addition to directing the very first episode of Road to Avonlea, has gone on to direct episodes in a number of well known television shows including Dark Angel, Roswell, 24, Smallville and Heroes.

 

Heather Conkie: Writer

Heather Conkie’s credits include the Canadian television show Heartland, and the Emmy Award-winning made-for-TV movie Beethoven Lives Upstairs. She has also been credited as a producer, actress and composer.

 

Perri Gorrara: Art Direction

An award-winning art director and production designer, Perri joined the crew of Road to Avonlea in its earliest days to work on 13 episodes of the show. Having won a Gemini Award for Best Production Design or Art Direction in 1989 for the dramatized documentary Glory Enough for All, starring R.H. Thomson as Dr. Frederick Banting, Perri went on to win another one in 1994 for the dramatic program, I’ll Never Get to Heaven. Since then, Perri has been nominated an additional two times for her work on the series Emily of New Moon.

 

Richard Benner: Director

Often credited as Dick Benner, Richard has credits both as a writer and a director. He directed television shows, as well as films such as Outrageous!, Too Outrageous! and Happy Birthday Gemini.

 

Martha Mann: Costume Designer

A designer with over 40 years in the stage and film industry, Martha Mann first began designing as a student at the Art College. Director Kevin Sullivan has collaborated with Mann on numerous projects including Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, Lantern Hill, Wild Pony, Road to Avonlea and Looking for Miracles. She has also designed costumes for stage productions such as Aida (Boston Lyric Opera), Julius Caesar (Stratford Festival of Canada), and even the theatrical version of Anne of Green Gables in Calgary. Her work has also been recognized by critics and is the recipient of six Gemini awards for best Costume Design for Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea.

 

Suzette Couture: Writer

Suzette is a five-time Gemini Award winner and has been writing for TV since 1988. Her awarded work includes the titles Doomstown, After the Harvest, Conspiracy of Silence, Love and Hate: The Story of Colin and Joanne Thatcher and Blades of Courage. She also received a Gemini nomination for her work on Road to Avonlea.

 

Hagood Hardy: Composer

Hagood Hardy was truly one of Canada’s greatest composers and citizens. His performing career began as a jazz vibist in New York City, after which he toured with a pop group called the Montage until the early 1970’s. During this period, he began composing commercial jingles for companies such as Kelloggs and General Motors and then began to concentrate on recording music for TV, radio and films. In 1975, Hardy released “The Homecoming”, a piece originally composed as a Salada Tea jingle, and it became an international hit, selling million of copies. Hardy composed many scores for Canadian and US television productions, most notably “Anne of Green Gables” (for which he won a Gemini Award for best musical score) and “Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel”. He also composed music for several episodes of “Road to Avonlea”. In addition to being a celebrated and successful musician, Hagood Hardy was a humanitarian and in 1992 he was awarded the Order of Canada. Hardy continued to compose and perform until the mid-nineties when he was stricken with stomach cancer. Sadly, Hagood Hardy passed away January 1st, 1997 at the age of 59.