Road to Avonlea

Set in Avonlea, a fictional town on Prince Edward Island in the early 1900s, Road to Avonlea follows Sara Stanley, a ten year old heiress from Montreal who is sent to live with her two maiden aunts, Hetty and Olivia King. Left by her father to be near the side of her late mother, Sara arrives into a close knit, bustling household where curiosity and kindness shape every day. The young girl exchanges privilege for small town rhythms, making friends with neighbors, sharing lessons taught by grown ups and discovering her own voice. The show treats ordinary childhood with warmth, humor, and a gentle sense of wonder, while framing family bonds as its heartbeat. The tone grows with Sara's presence.

First aired in 1990, Road to Avonlea is a Canadian drama series created by Fiona McHugh. Led by a strong ensemble that includes Sarah Polley as Sara Stanley, the show blends domestic life with period charm and small town adventures.

The series earned recognition in the television world with multiple nominations at Canadian awards, underscoring its solid performances and production values. Critics highlighted the ensemble chemistry, period detail, and thoughtful storytelling that treats family life with respect and tenderness, earning it steady audience admiration across generations and enduring appeal.

Road to Avonlea became a beloved touchstone of early 90s family television in Canada, noted for its gentle tone, vivid depiction of Avonlea life, and emphasis on character over spectacle. It also helped launch Sarah Polley into a prominent acting and directing career. Its warmth echoed in later Canadian productions.

Critics praised the show's focus on family, community, and growing up with grace. The stories emphasize resilience, curiosity, empathy, and the small choices that shape character, using Sara's interactions with neighbors and the King family to explore loyalty, kindness, and belonging.