Alison Arngrim Discusses the Challenges of Reimagining ‘Little House on the Prairie’ for Netflix

Alison Arngrim Discusses the Challenges of Reimagining ‘Little House on the Prairie’ for Netflix

Alison Arngrim, known for her iconic role as Nellie Oleson in the beloved series ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ shares her thoughts on the upcoming Netflix reboot of the classic show. As someone deeply connected to the original, she emphasizes the unique magic that the series captured during its run from 1974 to 1983.

During a discussion with Fox News Digital, Arngrim reassured fans not to be overly concerned about the new adaptation. She underscored that any new version will not attempt to recreate the original’s formula, stating, “Yes, there is a deal at Netflix. Even the people making it have said, ‘Oh God, don’t call it a reboot.’ They are not attempting to recreate the ‘70s show.”

A Departure from Tradition

The original series was based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, which depict her experiences growing up in the American West during the late 1800s. Arngrim noted that the reboot aims to return to the roots of these stories. “They’re going back to the books – they’re going back to the beginning,” she explained. The new adaptation seeks to explore the early years of Laura’s life, focusing on her as a young girl.

Despite the nostalgia surrounding the original series, Arngrim recognized the necessity for evolution. “How many times have we made Dracula?” she pondered. “How many times have we done Frankenstein? Or ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens? These are fantastic literary properties that were remade many times, and everyone had a different take on them.”

Transformative Adaptation

In January, Netflix confirmed that the reboot had been greenlit, describing it as “a transformed adaptation.” With Rebecca Sonnenshine, known for her work on shows like ‘The Boys’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ at the helm as showrunner and executive producer, fresh directions await.

Arngrim reiterated that the upcoming show will be significantly different from the original. “There were characters in our show that were Michael Landon inventions,