Anne’s mother’s dearest friend, Louisa Thomas initially embraces Anne when she is left destitute and abandoned by her father. Louisa has little backbone in the face of adversity and under difficult circumstances in her own life she leaves Anne in the care of the county poorhouse. When Anne later escapes and finds Louisa, she makes an attempt to reclaim her role as surrogate mother to Anne, out of a sense of obligation to Anne’s mother. With young Anne in tow, Louisa and her three children flee their own tragic circumstances and make their way to the apparent safety of their wealthy grandmother, Amelia Thomas. Louisa tries to defend Anne from those who don’t approve of her, allowing her into their family. Eventually she succumbs to the swirling forces around her that prompt her decision to leave the security of the Thomas household. Louisa becomes caught in the coils of Amelia’s downfall through her association with Anne’s father. When Louisa finally deserts Anne once again, the impressionable child becomes all the stronger for it.

One of the most sought-after young actresses working in Hollywood today, Rachel Blanchard has managed to make a name for herself within the acting community. She has appeared several popular movies including ROAD TRIP (2000) with Tom Green and Sean William Scott; SNAKES ON A PLANE (2006) with Samuel L. Jackson; Atom Egoyan’s WHERE THE TRUTH LIES (2005) with Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth; and CARELESS (2007) with Colin Hanks and David Koechner.

Born March 19, 1976 in Toronto, her career began when she appeared on the popular Canadian children’s series, THE KIDS OF DEGRASSI STREET (1982), where she played Melanie Schlegel. She also had a reoccurring role on the Nickelodeon show, ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? (1991-1993). Her break through role though wouldn’t come until 1996 when she was picked out of hundreds of hopefuls to have the starring role in the television series, CLUELESS, based on the 1995 hit movie. Replacing Alicia Silverstone in the television adaptation, the series ran from 1996-1999 and garnered a huge cult following.

She has since appeared on several other popular television shows including a role on the family drama 7th HEAVEN (2002-2004), JOEY(2005), THE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS (2007), and the popular UK television program PEEP SHOW (2004-2007).

Throughout the years, she developed a strong relationship with renowned Canadian director, Atom Egoyan, who hand selected the actress to star in several of his films. In 2008, she teamed up with Egoyan once again for his film ADORATION. The movie which also starred Canadian actor Scott Speedman, made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it received much accolade from fans and critics alike and was nominated for the prestigious Golden Palm Award.

In addition to her role as Louisa Thomas in Kevin Sullivan’s ANNE OF GREEN GABLES – A NEW BEGINNING, Rachel can be seen this year in GROWING OP (2008) with Rosanna Arquette and Katie Boland.

When not filming in Los Angeles, the actress spends her time residing in Toronto.

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