Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reboot: The Original Cast vs. the New Stars

Erin Maxwell
7 Comments
Little House on the Prairie. Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie. Cr. Eric Zachanowich/Netflix© 2026, Original Little house and the Netflix Little House on the Prairie
Everett Collection; Netflix

Netflix is bringing the Ingalls family back into living rooms with a reboot of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House on the Prairie.

Based on Wilder’s own experiences growing up in the American West in the 1800s, and first published in the 1930s, Wilder’s stories were adapted into the hit TV series that ran on NBC from 1974 to 1983. The stories centered on Laura Ingalls and her family as they navigated frontier life, faced hardship with resilience, and built a sense of community on the Dakota prairie. The new series, which is currently being filmed in Canada, will offer a completely fresh take on the classic stories and characters.

Now, a new generation of viewers will discover the joys of the Ingalls family, but who will guide them through their many adventures? Here is a look at how the new cast stacks up against the original ensemble.

Little House on the Prairie, July 9, Netflix

Laura Ingalls
Courtesy Everett Collection; Netflix/YouTube

Laura Ingalls

Melissa Gilbert vs. Alice Halsey

Alice Halsey from Lessons in Chemistry takes over the role from Melissa Gilbert as the young heroine of the story.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE (1974-1983) Michael Landon.; VIOLET, Luke Bracey, 2021. ph: Mark Williams / © Relativity Media / Courtesy Everett Collection
NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection; Netflix/YouTube

Charles Ingalls

Michael Landon vs. Luke Bracey

Luke Bracey steps into the role of “Pa,” made famous by Michael Landon, who played the role with a gentle hand.

Caroline Ingalls

Caroline Ingalls

Karen Grassle vs. Crosby Fitzgerald

Crosby Fitzgerald will portray the loving matriarch of the Ingalls clan.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, Melissa Sue Anderson, Season 3, 1974-1983; ORDINARY ANGELS, (aka ANGELES INESPERADOS), Spanish language character poster, Skywalker Hughes, 2024. © Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection; Netflix/YouTube

Mary Ingalls

Melissa Sue Anderson vs. Skywalker Hughes

Skywalker Hughes will portray big sister Mary in the new reboot.

Little House on the Prairie. Warren Christie as John Edwards in episode 102 of Little House on the Prairie. Cr. Eric Zachanowich/Netflix © 2026
Courtesy Everett Collection ; Netflix

Mr. John Edwards

Victor French vs. Warren Christie

Warren Christie takes over the role of family friend Mr. Edwards.

Little House on the Prairie. Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie. Cr. Eric Zachanowich/Netflix © 2026; Little House onthe Prairie, Everett Collection
Everett Collection; Eric Zachanowich/Netflix

Jack the Dog

Barney vs. Good Boy

The scruffy mixed breed Barney who played Laura’s faithful friend is now played by a Blue Heeler pup.

Little House on the Prairie (1974)Little House on the Prairie (2026)Alice HalseyKaren GrassleLuke BraceyMelissa GilbertMichael Landon



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  1. M

    mschiefsfan

    It doesn't need a reboot.

  2. H

    Horsewoman

    Cannot replace the original.

  3. N

    normanstanley50

    I Never watch rebooted classics

  4. T

    Teri

    Should have gone a bit further about Osage racism

    And according the books Laura’s views were not that friendly as portrayed in both the original and this new one m. Laura wrote about the Osage which is why the books negative view of indigenous people were thought offensive in recent years

    I am glad they did better address the Osage plight but the new series kinda soften it a bit much

    The racism towards the black store owner was shown but not towards the doctor ir the indigenous family active in the town of Independence

  5. M

    Mark’s Mom

    The original television show was made from the book series, so was kind of a reboot in the first place.

  6. K

    kyirs

    Who's going to play Nellie Olsen?

  7. F

    FF55

    Things that both series got wrong:

    Jack was a brindle bulldog.

    Mr. Edwards was tall and skinny. Mr. Edwards in both series is closer to Charles than either actor playing him.

    Things that are wrong with the new one:

    Mary was blonde with blue eyes. Anyone remember the hair ribbons, blue for Mary and red for Laura. Ma put the wrong ones on the girls. Laura talks about how happy it made her to see the blue ribbons. That she was tired of the red.

    Things that the original got wrong:

    I love Michael Landon, and his demeanor made him one of the best fathers of all time. But look-wise, he was completely wrong for the part. Charles had a thick beard. If Pernell Roberts wasn't balding, he would have been fine in the role. I think Warren Christie is closer to the character than Luke Bracey.

    I still cannot believe that Carrie has been removed. She would have been about 4 years old.

    Having the girls go to a school doesn't line up with the books either. Having First Nations attending as well is beyond the pale. The despicable treatment that the government displayed towards the Osage is being whitewashed. The family was in Oklahoma, not Kansas. At least if you go by Charles' statement about being 3 miles into Indian Territory.