‘Anne with an E’ planning Indigenous storyline

TORONTO — “Anne with an E” tied "Schitt's Creek" with a leading 15 Canadian Screen Award nominations Thursday for a season that focused on inclusivity and diversity — a theme producers say they plan to continue to expand upon.

The CBC show inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel is up for trophies including best drama series and best actress for Amybeth McNulty, who stars as the plucky young Prince Edward Island heroine.

The nominations were for season 2, which included an LGBTQ storyline and the show's first black character, a Trinidadian sailor played by Dalmar Abuzeid, who is nominated for best guest performance.

Next season, which starts shooting March 11, will see an Indigenous storyline, executive producer Miranda de Pencier revealed Thursday in an interview.

“There’s no sense in reinventing a classic novel if you’re not going to make it relevant for today’s audience,” said de Pencier, who also directed the film “The Grizzlies,” which got three nominations Thursday.

“So it was really important for us to find themes that matter for Canadians.”

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television administers the awards, which honour Canadian talent in film, television and digital media.

The other best drama series contenders are City’s “Bad Blood,” OMNI’s “Blood and Water,” CBC’s “Frankie Drake Mysteries” and History’s “Vikings.”

“Schitt’s Creek”’s nominations include best comedy and acting nods for the CBC show’s main stars, who play a riches-to-rags family — Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy.

The best comedy series category is rounded out by Crave’s “Letterkenny,” CBC’s “Mr. D” and “Workin’ Moms,” and OMNI’s “Second Jen.”

“I think it’s safe to say that Canadian comedy is really having a moment right now and our nominations reflect that,” said academy CEO Beth Janson.