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Over two decades ago, fans the world over embraced Megan Follows as the embodiment of Anne Shirley. Many cannot picture anyone else in the role.

Now, however, a new girl will take her place.

In June 2007, Sullivan Entertainment announced that — in honour of the one hundredth anniversary of the original publication of Lucy Maud Montgomery's popular novel — he was going to write, produce, and direct a prequel movie about Anne. In addition, an open casting call went out. Not only could aspiring Annes mail their audition videos to Toronto; but auditions could also be posted to the popular video site YouTube. Over 100 girls from Canada and abroad have submitted their auditions. The deadline for YouTube submissions has passed; some girls will be called to audition across Canada. In September, filming for the prequel will begin in anticipation for a spring 2008 release.

Out of the one hundred plus who uploaded videos, I've found quite a few favourites. My personal criteria for "rating" them were the ability to show emotion as if she were Anne (fiery temper, vocal amazement), whether or not she looked the part, originality of the audition, how well the performance audition connects with Megan's performances in the previous three miniseries, and her overall appeal to me as an Anne fan. The list is in the order I saved my favourite auditions on YouTube.

my favourite aspiring annes

Joy Clarkson; 12 years old: This was the first audition video I saw that I really liked. Rather than recite dialogue from the first miniseries or even a passage from the novel, Joy decided to give a monologue based on the content of the books and movies. She could go from awe to angst and back again in one fell swoop. She doesn't look like her twelve years--just slightly younger. She could definitely pull off the role of Anne if given a shot.

Angelina Kelly; 11 years old: Like Joy, Angelina went with an original monologue. However, she took the monologue one step further and based it on what Anne's experience at the Hammond home may have been like at some point during her time there. She has the ability to vocalize her emotions without completely over-egging the pudding (if you will). I wouldn't mind watching more of her. (Aside: A tip of the hat goes to Angelina's "shelter tree".)

Megan M.; 11 years old: Megan is among the first of the more professional young actresses who have auditioned for the role, not to mention she won a Young Artist Award earlier this year for her performance in the short film Little Samantha Tripp. She used two excerpts from the movies: Matthew coming to pick Anne up at the train station; and Anne meeting Rachel Lynde for the first time. While she did very well with the first excerpt, I think she could've been more feisty with the second. Anne's temper is red hot; I didn't quite sense it from Megan. That said, it was a solid audition tape.

Laurel Sullivan; 12 years old: There are some problems with sound in this video; however, it doesn't take away from Laurel's audition. She went an original route with her audition, opting to give a monologue about Anne's family history. I do wish she had redone her audition and resubmitted; it's unfortunate there were so many difficulties with what was happening outside, because it was done well. (Aside: I don't think she's any relation to KS.)

Meagan Lia Stewart; 11 years old: Meagan is probably the only one who went "on location" to film her audition, not to mention she was one of several to use another person on-camera as another character. To boot, according to the YouTube description, she was "Anne" herself at the Avonlea Village on PEI. Her scene choice was a staple among most of the girls: the scene where Matthew meets her at the train station. She seems to have a lot of spunk and a bubbly personality, which would be good criteria to have. If she doesn't get this Anne, I do hope she can get more work somewhere... "Don't'cha think?"

Abby Stanczak; unknown: For her audition, Abby opted to go with the scene with Anne and Matthew driving to Green Gables. (This was a script excerpt posted on the site as an option for girls auditioning.) Some of the dialogue was given out of order; and her delivery of some of the lines could have been delivered better; but it's still a solid audition.

Elizabeth Adams; 12 years old: Elizabeth's audition is three-fold; it includes some of Anne's ride with Matthew, Anne losing her temper in front of Rachel Lynde, and Anne's apology to Mrs. Lynde. She nabbed every emotion in every scene she acted out. The dialogue could've been delivered somewhat slower; but I suppose it could be chalked up to nerves. Yet another job well done.

who should be the new anne?

Well, I'm not completely sure, actually! One would think that after watching all the various YouTube auditions that I'd have my perfect "Anne". However, I don't. Besides there, there are probably some gems in the audition videos that weren't posted online but, instead, were mailed to Toronto for consideration. Only time will tell. I hope whomever is selected for Anne will do an excellent job, and the other girls who will, unfortunately, be turned down will continue to pursue their dreams. Perhaps, just perhaps, some of these girls will snag a role on-screen in a different project; and we, the collective of Anne fans who watched these online auditions, can point to the screen and tell our friends, "I saw her audition for Anne".