Anne with an E star Amybeth McNulty says season two is 'less dark' and more about 'growing up'
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Netflix 's adaptation of literary classic Anne of Green Gables may have been the latest of many interpretations of the unique character of Anne Shirley, but its real find was its star Amybeth McNulty.
The sixteen-year-old Irish actress found much acclaim for her turn as an orphan finding a new home at Green Gables, and tackling the difficulties of growing up in such a harsh period.
McNulty sat down with Mirror Online to discuss her breakout role, her acting inspirations, where the second season of the show will go, and where she can see her career going in the years to come.
McNulty isn't used to the fame yet.
"I'm just a wee girl from Donegal and all of a sudden they're like "come to London, we're gonna do press" and I'm just like "okay, yeah, sure". It's wild but I'm very humbled."
She did, however, have nothing but praise for those who come up to her on the street when they recognise the heroine of Green Gables.
"Our fan community is so lovely and worldwide, I love them. Netflix is worldwide so we have a huge audience."
The show has already got a keen following - including very passionate fans.
"When I arrived in Toronto one time, I passed this girl and she yelled out "Amy" and I turned around and she stared crying," McNulty said. "I was so confused and had never had that kind of interaction before, not seeing myself as a celebrity or anything. She was so sweet, I adored her. That was my first proper fan meeting."
This is also Amybeth's first press circuit without the company of Mum and Dad.
"I usually bring my parental units, Eileen and Liam, with me, but I'm sixteen now so they let me go, and I'm doing these on my own, but my friend Angel was in London anyway, so we're going through London together - a Girls trip!"
McNulty also mentioned plans to meet Louis Hynes from A Series of Unfortunate Events, painting a picture of the little Netflix family, saying they're "gonna go around London and [he'll] show [me] around".
(Image: Netflix)
How it compares to the books
If you're completely new to Anne and the LM Montgomery book it's based on, don't worry you can come to the Netflix show fresh.
"The original novels were written by Lucy Maud Montgomery and have now been re-imagined by Moira Walley-Beckett who has worked on Breaking Bad so this is a very different show for her," said McNulty.
"The first season is about Anne, a thirteen-year-old orphan in the 1800s and her struggles with trying to find a family, trying to find love in any form that she can find it, because it was really rough back then. She also has fiery red hair so she wouldn't be considered the most beautiful girl in the world. It's her journey of coming in to herself and her finding someone to care for her.
"The second season is Anne becoming more comfortable in that and realises that she won't be sent home immediately for doing something wrong, she learns from her mistakes, and she has love, parents, friends, and a school. This season is her growing up - and all that entails."
(Image: Netflix)
What to expect
A change of tone and some coming-of-age milestones seem to be the order of the day for Season Two going ahead.
"I think fans can see from the trailer already, it's certainly less dark. It's a lot less glum and depressing, and although there are moments like that, as everyone does have their hardships, she's happier and more comfortable and loved. She's learning, she's learning so much every day.
"Things with Diana, her best friend, and the differences in them growing up in that time and with different lives.
"There are new characters coming in too, which is exciting."
It seems that Anne's surrogate parents will also be getting some juicy screentime away from Anne's journey in the second run.
"That parental side of things is still here, but it's interesting because Matthew and Marilla have their own stories alongside mine."
(Image: Netflix)
McNaulty may have swatted up on Anne if Green Gables but she stays clear of reviews, even when we tell her they're good.
"Wow, that's lovely to hear! I don't usually read reviews, so that's very interesting.
"I'm still gonna stay away, I don't wanna get big-headed. But that's really lovely."
It's hard not to compare the girl to the actress, especially when they both exude such joy and humility.
"Anne and I are very similar, we're close in age: she's fourteen and I'm sixteen. There's not a big age gap and we're going through the same things that every teenage girl is going through, whether it's the 1800s or 2018. We are both bookworms and appreciate the Earth in all its beauty and we both support very big topics that we want to discuss and have conservations with people about. I think what is interesting for her is that no one let her talk about it, but she still has a voice."
(Image: Netflix)
It's easy to assume that Anne is a modern woman misplaced in time, but McNulty is sure she would be more needed in the time in which she was written.
"No, I think she's perfectly placed where she is because I think she's starting conversations back then and she would have been great nowadays but where she is suits her really well, and she went through those hardships to get where she is now and I don't think she would have it any other way."
Although, she does agree that Anne would make an ideal social media personality.
"Oh yeah, very positive, an aesthetic photographer," she joked.
Making Anne her own
McNulty revealed that she had explored the literary works behind the show, but was not interested in exploring other adaptations.
"I was given the book (Anne of Green Gables) on my ninth birthday by my mum and I read it then.
"I haven't seen any other adaptations, because I wanted this Anne to be my own. I'm sure they might be similar and the other adaptations are beautiful, but they're also different, which is good.
(Image: ©2016 Marvin Moore Photography)
"I am reading Anne of Avonlea now, so it's interesting to see where things could go if we get future seasons. That'd be awesome, to see where things are going to go is exciting."
On her favourite characters in the series, Amybeth settled on two in particular she would love to step into the shoes of.
"I love Mrs Lynde, I don't think I could play her as well as Corrine (Kolso) does, as she's so funny. Or Matthew as he's my favourite character in the whole series - and barely any lines," she joked.
On the prospect of the show potentially running for years and another actress taking on the part, similar to Netflix's The Crown, McNulty remained optimistic, and her commitment to the part was clear.
"I think it would be great if they got another actress to play her at a different age, but I think the plan is for me to stay on - or at least I hope it is! If we get future seasons, and tackle her at sixteen and eighteen, I would love to play that time as it's such an interesting period in someone's life.
"Then if she gets older and has kids, it's a whole new dynamic to play. I would want to go with her all through her life."
(Image: Netflix)
McNulty voiced her support too for television adaptations of books to take on a life of their own, beyond being just a faithful retelling of the book.
"I think we've already done that, even from the second episode you can see that in a realistic way and can allow us to explore new storylines.
"And I love that kind of excitement of not knowing what could happen. It's obviously based on the books, but I love veering off and bringing in new discussions, characters, and topics."
What the future holds
McNulty also revealed who she would love to follow in the footsteps of.
"Millie Bobbie Brown. Lovely girl, brilliant actress, very talented," she quickly said. "Been flung into the limelight, I'm very inspired by her staying grounded and respectful and loving. She's younger than me so that just astounds me."
(Image: Splash News)
That's not all. "Malina Weissman from A Series of Unfortunate Events, I would love the opportunity of chatting to her.
"There are some very cool young actors and actresses that I'm inspired by, whether they be younger or older," she added/
There's one in particular though with similar Irish roots who she's dying to meet.
"Saoirse Ronan, I've loved her since I was so little, so she'd be my number one."
On the prospect of acting work beyond of Anne with an E, McNulty has a few ideas, but is also keen to stick with the show to the end.
"Right now I have a project in the mix which is a short film and a part that's actually my age. I've played Anne for two to three years now, so I've very much been in that zone for a while, so it'll be interesting to see what it's like with a new character, crew, and vibe," she said.
"I love playing Anne, but it does come with comparisons to other adaptations and their actresses, so it would be great to tackle something that is very much my own without that comparison.
"I'd also like to do my own short film and be a director too, that would be really interesting."
Keep a look out, McNulty will be one to watch in years to come.
(Image: Netflix)
Anne with an E Season Two is available to watch on Netflix from Friday, July 6 2018.