Ella Ballentine (Anne) played a small role in the TV series Reign. Megan Follows, who had previously played Anne in 1985's Anne of Green Gables, is a main character in Reign.
Martin Sheen's character was previously played by Richard Farnsworth. Farnsworth and Sheen have both appeared in adaptations of Stephen King novels. Farnsworth appeared in Misery, while Sheen appeared in Firestarter and The Dead Zone. The latter featured Colleen Dewhurst, who played Marilla in the 1985 film.