Several characters from the movie Anne of Green Gables (1985) were brought back as recurring characters in this series, most notably Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde, and, in early years, Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla Cuthbert.
The third season finale dealt with the death of Marilla Cuthbert. Since Colleen Dewhurst had already died, her "appearance" was pieced together from movies, in which she had been, from the same production company.
Gema Zamprogna (Felicity King) is over 10 years younger than Michael Mahonen (Gus Pike), her love interest on the show. He was careful to only kiss her on the cheek in earlier seasons.
The series is loosely based on several books by Lucy Maude Montgomery, including The Story Girl and The Golden Road, with characters such as Felicity, Felix, and Cecily King, and Sara Stanley taken directly from these novels.
Tara Meyer was originally supposed to play the part of Felicity King, but due to a scheduling problem, Gema Zamprogna was given the part a few days before filming began, and Meyer was given the role of Sally Potts.