Netflix is ready to stake its claim on the prairie. The streamer has announced the lead cast for its reboot of “Little House on the Prairie,” and it’s a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent ready to bring Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic stories to a new generation.
Luke Bracey, known for his roles in “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Point Break,” takes the reins as family patriarch Charles Ingalls. He’s tasked with embodying Charles’s unique blend of charm, rugged individualism, and that ever-present wandering spirit. Crosby Fitzgerald steps into the role of Caroline Ingalls, the steadfast anchor of the family. Fitzgerald’s take on Caroline will reportedly emphasize her strength, romantic nature, and playful spirit, a vital counterpoint to the hardships of frontier life.
Skywalker Hughes, a relative newcomer, plays Mary Ingalls, the studious and rule-following older sister, offering a distinct contrast to her more free-spirited younger sibling, Laura. Alice Halsey is slated to portray Laura, the series’ central figure, through whose eyes the audience experiences the triumphs and struggles of life on the American frontier.
With Rebecca Sonnenshine, known for her work on genre hits like “The Boys,” “Vampire Diaries,” and the horror series “Archive 81,” at the helm as showrunner and executive producer, this “Little House” reboot looks to be more than just a nostalgic retread. Sarah Adina Smith is set to direct the first episode. This iteration has been described as “part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh take on Wilder’s stories will offer a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.”
Given the enduring popularity of the “Little House” books (over 73 million copies sold worldwide) and the surprising resurgence of the original 1974 series (garnering a reported 13.25 billion minutes of viewing last year alone), Netflix clearly sees potential for striking gold on the prairie once again. Whether this new generation of Ingalls can capture the hearts of viewers the way the original cast did remains to be seen, but with this casting announcement, the buzz is officially underway.
“Little House on the Prairie” is a CBS Studios and Anonymous Content Studio production for Netflix. Executive producers include Joy Gorman Wettels for Joy Coalition, Trip Friendly for Friendly Family Productions, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel.
