Young Star Alice Halsey Steps Into Laura Ingalls Role for Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’

Netflix’s highly anticipated reboot of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ is bringing the beloved character of Laura Ingalls back to screens, and actress Alice Halsey is ready for the challenge.

Halsey, who takes on the iconic role in the streaming series, says preparing for the part has deepened her respect for the source material and the people who came before her. She spent time watching the original 1970s NBC series while getting into character, and came away impressed by the creative vision of Michael Landon, calling him a storyteller whose influence still resonates today.

The Netflix adaptation taps directly into Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original novels rather than simply remaking the 1970s show. The production team has worked to stay truer to Wilder’s books while painting a more historically accurate picture of frontier life during that era.

For Halsey, taking on such a recognizable character comes with real responsibility. She hopes both longtime fans of the books and viewers who grew up with the TV version will embrace what the new series is trying to accomplish—honoring the past while creating something relevant for audiences today.

One of the most meaningful moments for Halsey came when she got to meet Melissa Gilbert, the actress who originated the role on television. According to Halsey, Gilbert’s warmth and encouragement left a lasting impression, reinforcing just how important it is to respect what came before while forging a new path forward.

Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine has made it clear the new series returns to Wilder’s original texts, while also weaving in historical perspectives that earlier versions didn’t explore as fully. The result is a show that maintains the family-focused heart of the books while offering fresh context and viewpoints for modern viewers.

The cast includes Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls, Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline, and Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls. As the series launches, Halsey’s performance is introducing Laura Ingalls to viewers who may have never encountered the character before—all while paying tribute to a legacy that’s endured for generations.