Alright, “Little House on the Prairie” fans, buckle up—because the beloved classic is getting a fresh take courtesy of Netflix. But before anyone panics, former “Little House” star Alison Arngrim, better known as the infamous Nellie Oleson, wants you to know: “This is not a reboot.”
In a recent chat with “Fox News Digital”, Arngrim reassured fans that Netflix’s new adaptation isn’t trying to rehash Michael Landon’s 1970s series.
Instead, it’s going “way” back to the original “Little House” books, focusing on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s early years. That means no made-up TV characters like Albert Ingalls and no rewritten timelines—this version is sticking closer to history.
Now, for those wondering if they’ll see any familiar faces, don’t count on it. As of now, none of the original cast members are making cameo appearances.
And while Arngrim admits nothing will ever match the magic of the original (“lightning in a bottle”, as she put it), she’s keeping an open mind. After all, if “Star Trek” can have countless adaptations, why not “Little House”?
So, what can we expect from Netflix’s version? The streaming giant describes it as “part family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West.”
With Rebecca Sonnenshine (“The Boys, The Vampire Diaries”) at the helm, this won’t be your grandma’s “Little House”. The question is: Will it capture the heart and warmth of the original, or will it take a darker, grittier turn?
As for whoever ends up playing Nellie Oleson, Arngrim has one piece of advice: “Go all in.”
She’s proud of her role as one of TV’s most iconic villains and reminds any future Nellie, ““Your job is not to be liked.”” If people throw orange soda at you during a Christmas parade, you’ll know you’ve done it right.
For now, we wait. But one thing’s for sure—whether this new “Little House” is a hit or a flop, it’ll have a tough time stepping out of Michael Landon’s very large shadow.
