Enraptured by this Glorious Media Landscape: Anne with an E and cross-platform coproduction

Abstract

This article examines the CBC/Netflix co-production Anne with an E (2017–19), a leading example of cross-platform co-production whose legacy is disrupted by the drama’s unexpected cancellation. Theories of cultural and media imperialism are discussed to contextualise this circumstance, along with an overview of the Canadian media policy context. The relationship between the CBC’s public service model and Netflix’s subscription service is considered, followed by an analysis of the increased cultural representation of the drama, which incorporates Black, queer and Indigenous identities. The article concludes by suggesting what Anne with an E’s cancellation may mean for the future of cross-platform co-productions.