Of all the friendships and relationships on Netflix’s Anne with an E, the love between Anne Shirley Cuthbert (Amybeth McNulty) and Gilbert Blythe (Lucas Jade Zumann) is the most memorable. From the first day they met, they share a bond that can’t be broken. Fans knew they would ultimately become a couple based on L.M. Montgomery’s original book series, Anne of Green Gables, but with the Netflix series diverging from the books, fans were quick to wonder, when do Anne and Gilbert get together?
Anne and Gilbert are soulmates, and they have several heartwarming, romantic moments in the show. The Avonlea dup go from rivals to friends to a couple and defined relationship goals from the show’s three seasons. Everyone would be lucky to have a romance like theirs.
Updated on October 14th, 2021 by Amanda Bruce: While the Anne of Green Gables series is undoubtedly about a young girl growing up and finding the family she's always longed for, a huge part of that story is Anne Shirley finding love with Gilbert Blythe. It takes the two a long time to enter into a romantic relationship, but part of the fun for the audience of the adaptations is watching that journey unfold. Though Anne with an E was canceled after the third season, fans can stream (and rewatch) to their heart's content on Netflix.
Their Instant Connection
If there's one thing fans need to know about Anne Shirley, it's that her headstrong nature can get her in trouble without her realizing. That very thing happens when she tries to make new friends at school early in the series. On her way to school, Billy Andrews (Christian Martyn) confronts Anne about the rumors she was spreading about his sister. Gilbert notices the altercation and he defends Anne when they meet for the first time.
Anne and Gilbert have a bond that can’t be broken. Gilbert is teased about talking to Anne, an orphan, but he doesn’t care. As he mentions to his friends, “a cute girl is a cute girl.”
Their Closest Friends Recognize Their Connection First
Gilbert is never really shy about his admiration of Anne. Not only does he call her "cute" right after meeting her, but he's a regular defender of her intelligence and her outspoken nature, even when she frustrates him. When she eventually warms up to him, he's only more vocal. Anne, for her part, frequently denies she has any interest in him, but can't help talking about him. That leaves Diana (Dalila Bela) and Bash (Dalmar Abuzeid) to recognize the chemistry between the two pretty quickly.
Diana tries to talk to Anne about her feelings about Gilbert multiple times, but she doesn't push, only suggests that Anne should give him a chance. Bash, on the other hand, is fully supportive of Anne the moment Gilbert receives his first letter from her, excited to meet her and understand why Gilbert is so interested in her. They very much act as surrogates for the audience in their noticing the chemistry.
Their Academic Competitions
In Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables book series, Anne and Gilbert are the top students at Avonlea school. They compete to have the best grades and they're basically rivals.
This is also true in Anne with an E. In the season one episode “Tightly Knotted to a Similar String,” Anne and Gilbert compete in a spelling contest. Gilbert constantly gazes at Anne, and it seems he throws the contest just to see her win. Even though they compete, they can’t deny the obvious spark between them.
Becoming Friends
In the season one finale “Wherever You Are is My Home,” Anne runs into Gilbert in Charlottetown. His father had passed away and Gilbert is planning to leave Avonlea and Prince Edward Island.
Before this happens, Anne and Gilbert have one last meeting. They make the transition to become friends, and Anne even admits that she misses him at school. Gilbert stares longingly at Anne, and fans just knew their story wasn’t over yet.
Staying Connected Through Letters
During the first half of the show’s second season, Gilbert is working on a ship. He’s traveling the world, and his absence is felt back at home in Avonlea. Anne misses Gilbert, even if she doesn’t like to admit it to herself. Meanwhile, Gilbert also misses his favorite redhead.
They stay connected by writing letters to each other. Anne informs Gilbert about everything going on in Avonlea. It takes a while for their letters to find one another, but they cherish each other’s words. This wouldn’t be the only time their letters would be important.
A Memorable Christmas
It’s Christmastime in the season two episode, “I Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion.” Anne shocks everyone at school with her short haircut, including Gilbert, who returns home from his travels. Because it’s Gilbert’s first Christmas without his family, the Cuthberts invite him and his friend Bash to spend the holiday with them, starting the Cuthbert's having a bit of an extended family in Avonlea.
Gilbert surprises Anne by giving her a present: a miniature dictionary. He wrote inside, “so you can beat me fair and square.” The gift is a homage to their spelling competitions, and it makes Anne blush and smile. When it’s time for them to blow out the candles on the Christmas tree, Anne and Gilbert share a special moment.
Supporting Each Other’s Futures
In the season two finale “The Growing Good of the World,” Bash marries his girlfriend, Mary Hanford (Cara Ricketts). Bash and Mary's story is a new addition to the Anne adaptation, but one change fans absolutely adore. Not only does it better represent diversity in the series, but their relationship serves to expand Gilbert's.
Outside the church, Anne and Gilbert apologize for always tearing each other down in school. Gilbert reveals his plans to become a doctor while Anne tells him that she wants to become a teacher. Anne is comforted knowing that Gilbert supports her future plans. She begins to view him differently, perhaps feeling the same way he has always felt about her.
Dancing Partners
Anne and Gilbert’s budding romance is one of the main focuses of the show’s third season. Fans wanted them to finally confess their feelings. Despite Gilbert’s relationship with Winifred Rose (Ashleigh Stewart), who is clearly just an excuse to suppress his feelings for Anne, Gilbert and Anne flirt with each other throughout the season.
In “I am Fearless and Therefore Powerful,” the Avonlea school is practicing how to dance for an upcoming barn dance. Gilbert flirts with Anne during the entire rehearsal. There is so much romantic tension in this scene. Who wouldn’t want to have a dance rehearsal like that?
Making A Good Team
Whenever something important happens in Avonlea, Anne and Gilbert often team up to persuade others to make a difference. Diana might be known as Anne's best friend, but Gilbert is one of her closest allies. In the season three episode “A Strong Effort of the Spirit of Good,” Anne rallies the town to fight for justice after Josie Pye (Miranda McKeon) was sexually harassed by her beau, Billy. When Anne wrote an Op-Ed in the school newspaper, the Town Council threatens to shut down the newspaper.
Gilbert convinces everyone to stand up for Anne. When they successfully convince the Town Council to keep the newspaper, everyone celebrates. At this celebration, Anne and Gilbert share a private conversation. Gilbert mentions that they make a great “T-E-A-M,” making Anne laugh. They don’t have anything to argue about anymore. They stare into each other’s eyes and no one could deny the chemistry between them.
Confessing Their Feelings Through Letters
Anne realizes she loves Gilbert in the season three episode “A Dense and Frightful Darkness.” However, he’s about to propose to Winifred because he feels it’s the “right thing to do.” He’s convinced that Anne doesn’t love him. Hoping to stop this, Anne leaves a note at Gilbert’s home, telling him that she loves him.
Unfortunately, Gilbert doesn’t see the note. However, he doesn’t propose to Winifred because he can’t marry anyone unless it’s Anne. Gilbert writes a love letter to Anne, expressing his feelings. He tells her, “you are the fond object of my affection and desire. You, and you alone, are the keeper of the key to my heart… I’m not engaged, nor will I, unless it’s to you, Anne. My Anne with an E. It always has been and always will be you.” Swoon.
Finally Kissing
Fans were waiting for Anne and Gilbert to finally kiss and confess their feelings to each other, and in person this time. During the last scene of the season three finale “The Better Feeling of My Heart,” Gilbert finds out about Anne’s original letter and he flees to her before they both leave for college.
When they meet, they finally kiss. They know about each other’s feelings, and they’re going to continue to develop their relationship. Because Anne with an E was canceled by Netflix after the third season, it seems this is all viewers will get from Anne and Gilbert’s relationship. However, Anne and Gilbert are soulmates and they will always be together. They are in “L-O-V-E,” no matter what.