Martin Sheen joins TV movie reboot of 'Anne of Green Gables'

Actor Martin Sheen arrives at the Simply Shakespeare "Much Ado About Nothing" benefit reading in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday, April 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

TORONTO -- Martin Sheen has joined the new TV movie reboot of "Anne of Green Gables."

The 74-year-old will play Matthew Cuthbert, who along with sister Marilla take in the titular orphan.

"Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables" will air on Corus Entertainment's YTV next year with production under way in Canada.

John Kent Harrison is directing the film from a script by Susan Coyne based on Montgomery's novels, with Montgomery's granddaughter Kate MacDonald Butler serving as executive producer.

Thirteen-year-old Toronto native Ella Ballentine will play Anne Shirley, with veteran Canadian actress Sara Botsford portraying Marilla.

Sheen won a Golden Globe for his role as President Jed Bartlet on "The West Wing." The Emmy-winning actor also starred in "Apocalypse Now," "The Departed" and "Catch Me If You Can."

Additional members cast on the film include Julia Lalonde, Kate Honig, Stefani Kimber, Drew Haytaoglu, Kyle Gatehouse and Linda Kash.