Original Little House on the Prairie cast member reveals heartbreaking update on Netflix reboot
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One of the original stars of Little House on the Prairie delivered some heartbreaking news for fans of the beloved series.
In January, Netflix announced a reboot of the iconic Western drama—42 years after the original show wrapped up in 1983.
The new series is described as 'part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West,' according to the streaming giant.
However, it seems the original cast won’t be making an appearance.
Alison Arngrim, who portrayed the notorious Nellie Oleson from 1974 to 1982, confirmed that she and her fellow OG cast members won’t be part of the reboot.
'None of us, as far as I know, our gang, are in at this point,' she revealed in an interview with ReMIND on Wednesday.
One of the original stars of Little House on the Prairie delivered some heartbreaking news for fans of the beloved series; (Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls, Michael Landon as Charles Philip Ingalls, Karen Grassle as Caroline Quiner Holbrook Ingalls, Lindsay/Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls, Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls Kendall)
In January, Netflix announced a reboot of the iconic Western drama —42 years after the original show wrapped up in 1983; (Matthew Laborteaux as Albert Quinn Ingalls, Melissa Gilbert as Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder, Michael Landon as Charles Philip Ingalls, Dean Butler as Almanzo James Wilder, Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls Kendall, Linwood Boomer as Adam Kendall, (bottom l-r) Karen Grassle as Caroline Quiner Holbrook Ingalls, Lindsay/Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls)
Still, the actress isn’t ruling it out, joking, 'I have been joking for years that I’m finally old enough to play Mrs. Oleson, so call me!'
Arngrim went on to explain how the new show will differ from the original series, which ran for nine seasons and featured iconic cast members such as Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls, Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls Wilder, Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls, and Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls.
'It’s not really like a reboot, they’re not going back to Walnut Grove,' she explained.
'They’re not going to have Doc Baker and Miss Beadle, and they’re certainly not going to have Al Burton and all the people who were made up for the show. It is going back to the books.'
'This [show] is part of the Laura Ingalls Wilder multiverse,' Arngrim continued, speaking of the author of the novel that inspired the initial adaptation.
'So concerns that they’re going to run amok away from the books and make it into something weird — not happening.'
In a statement, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Jinny Howe, VP of Drama Series for Netflix, revealed that the reboot will be a 'fresh take on this iconic story.'
Howe also praised showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine for bringing 'emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.'
Alison Arngrim, who portrayed the notorious Nellie Oleson from 1974 to 1982, confirmed that she and her fellow OG cast members won’t be part of the reboot; (pictured 2021)
'None of us, as far as I know, our gang, are in at this point,' she revealed in an interview with ReMIND on Wednesday
'I fell deeply in love with these books when I was five years old. They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new global audience with Netflix,' Sonnenshine said of the upcoming project.
Following the reboot announcement on X, social media users expressed outrage and worry that the reboot would be too 'woke.'
'Please don't ruin another treasured piece of literature and Americana,' one tweeted.
A second wrote: 'Reimagining? No thank you.'
'Why does it have to be "reimagined"? You're going to screw this up,' a third predicted.
Another pleaded with Netflix to 'leave things alone for the love of God.'
'If this is made from a woke leftist perspective the family should sue Netflix,' a fifth wrote.
Even Megyn Kelly chimed in, 'If you wokeify Little House on the Prairie I will make it my singular mission to absolutely ruin your project,' Kelly wrote on X account about the news.
In June, the Little House on the Prairie cast reunited at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco (members of the cast seen in 2014)
It grabbed the attention of original star Melissa, who fired back on Instagram.
'Apparently Megyn tweeted (I'm not on that platform) asking that Netflix not "woke-ify" their Little House remake,' Gilbert wrote.
'Umm…watch the original again. TV doesn't get too much more "woke" than we did.'
'We tackled: racism, addiction, nativism, antisemitism, misogyny, rape, spousal abuse and every other "woke" topic you can think of. Thank you very much.'
Gilbert captioned the post: '@megynkelly watch any episode on any streaming platform anywhere in the world. x.'
