Will Fans of the Classic ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Watch the Netflix Reboot? Here’s What They Have to Say
Netflix has made some big announcements recently regarding their upcoming reboot of Little House on the Prairie. Young actress Alice Halsey was announced as the new Laura Ingalls last week, taking over the part played by Melissa Gilbert in the original series, while Luke Bracey will step into Michael Landon‘s shoes as Charles “Pa” Ingalls. Crosby Fitzgerald will be tackle Caroline “Ma” Ingalls, a part made famous by Karen Grassle, and Skywalker Hughes will play Mary, the role originated by Melissa Sue Anderson.
Decades after the original series aired its final episode in 1983, Little House on the Prairie remains one of the most popular shows of all time — still in syndication, it has also spawned multiple annual conventions, and countless in-person and online fan groups; the Facebook group for Little House fans boasts more than 250,000 members, while the official Little House Instagram page has over 100,000 followers (some fan pages have even more).
With that many devoted viewers, a remake is bound to be a hot topic. But according to a number of fans online, there’s simply no room in their hearts (or on their TVs) for a new Pa and Half Pint.
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One fan on the official Little House on the Prairie Instagram page noted, on a post about the Halsey casting news, “I love the original. Everyone looked more authentic. So sorry but not for me. I think that new cast look too sophisticated , they do not have the head to play people from the 1800. But that’s just my opinion.”
On a Little House fan page announcing the casting, one fan wrote, “I grew up on Little House and it was pure magic. How they chose the characters and made that chemistry work was incredible. They were Ma and Pa, Laura and Mary!!. Michael Landon was a great actor and so heartfelt. His onscreen chemistry with Karen Grassle was second to none and with their onscreen daughters it was so believable. You’ll never re-capture that magic and chemistry. Don’t ruin what’s already a perfect classic!”
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A post announcing the casting news on a Little House Facebook group also drew reactions, with one fan declaring “Only the classic, nobody can play Charles like Michael Landon,” and others adding, “Won’t watch. Only the original for me” and “Won’t last. Nothing like the original cast. I wish they’d stop with the reboots.”
On Reddit’s r/television, one fan wrote, “While I am in general against remakes, I am really, really against this one. There is no need to remake a classic. Without Michael Landon’s heart and vision for the show, it just won’t be as meaningful. Is everyone just out of new ideas??” One predicted, “Ugh, Netflix. So either it’s going to be so faithful to the books it will feel wooden and awkward. Or it’ll be really bleak and start making up their own (worse?) story by season 2,” while another simply exclaimed “Why? Why? Why?”
However, fan sentiment isn’t entirely negative, with several describing themselves as “cautiously optimistic.” In the same Little House Facebook group post, one fan commented, “I am so torn about this show. Been watching LHOTP for as long as I can remember and I am 52 years old. … This show has provided so much security and warmth and happiness for me. I am VERY cautiously optimistic about a remake. These type of things don’t stand up to the original, honest, good feel of the original 
” while another said, “I hate hate hate the idea of a reboot but at the same time I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist at least checking it out 
“
And a handful of fans are already enthused. One commenter on the Instagram post noting the casting news said, “From what I’ve read, this iteration of the series will stick more closely to the books. If THAT is truly the plan, I’m looking forward to it. I began reading the book series as a child and also watched the original series. I remember when I started reading the books and realized that the series had lots of story arcs that weren’t in the books. I loved the original series and I’m really excited about this one as well! ❤️”
One Reddit commenter was on board for the remake — but only if it truly captures the harshness of the Old West: “I’d love to see a series more authentic to the times than the sugar coated show from the 70’s. Give me something based on the books and with the tone of American Primeval and I’ll watch 10 seasons.”
Glamour Goddesses
May 2025
Marilyn Monroe’s iconic wind-aided dress. Audrey Hepburn’s little black gown. Jean Harlow’s form-fitting costumes. Celebrate the lushest Hollywood looks among the stars.
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