The beloved Western series “Little House on the Prairie,” based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s bestselling “Little House” book series, is officially getting a reboot.
On Wednesday, Netflix announced a forthcoming series inspired by the children’s author’s account of growing up during the Western expansion in the late 19th century.
“The series will offer a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.”
Rebecca Sonnenshine, who produced the Amazon Original Series “The Boys” and The CW’s supernatural teen drama “The Vampire Diaries,” will serve as showrunner and executive producer for the reboot.
On Thursday, Sonnenshine shared an Instagram photo of a well-worn copy of Wilder’s third novel in the “Little House” series, “Little House on the Prairie,” which was originally published in 1935.
In a statement shared by Tudum, Sonnenshine noted that she “fell deeply in love” with Wilder’s books when she was 5 years old.
“They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker,” Sonnenshine said. “I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new audience.”
Jinny Howe, vice president of drama series at Netflix, said in a statement that “Little House on the Prairie” has “captured the hearts and imaginations of so many fans around the world.”
“We’re excited to share its enduring themes of hope and optimism with a fresh take on this iconic story,” Howe said.
‘Little House on the Prairie’
Wilder’s first novel in the “Little House” series, “Little House in the Big Woods,” was published in 1932.Subsequent books include “Farmer Boy” (1933), “Little House on the Prairie” (1935), “On the Banks of Plum Creek” (1937), “By the Shores of Silver Lake” (1939), “The Long Winter” (1940), “Little Town on the Prairie” (1941), and “These Happy Golden Years” (1943).
A ninth book, “The First Four Years,” was released posthumously in 1971 following Wilder’s death in 1957.
The “Little House” book series, published by HarperCollins, chronicled the lives of the Ingalls family in the American Midwest.
In 1974, NBC debuted the television film “Little House on the Prairie,” directed by and starring the late actor Michael Landon.
The film served as the pilot for the Emmy Award-winning series of the same name, which aired on the network until 1983.
The film specials “Little House: Look Back to Yesterday” (1983), “Little House: The Last Farewell” (1984), and “Little House: Bless All the Dear Children” (1984) were broadcast after the show’s conclusion.
Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the new reboot.
In addition to Sonnenshine, the adaptation will also be executive-produced by Joy Gorman Wettels, founder of Joy Coalition; Dana Fox; Susanna Fogel; and Trip Friendly, CEO of Friendly Family Productions.
Friendly’s father, Ed Friendly, produced NBC’s “Little House on the Prairie” television movie and subsequent series, which also starred actresses Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle, and Melissa Sue Anderson.
“It has been a long-held dream of mine to carry on my father’s legacy and adapt Wilder’s classic American stories for a 21st-century audience in a way that brings together fans of both the books and the original television series,” Trip Friendly said in a statement.
Gilbert—who was 9 years old when she began starring in “Little House on the Prairie”—discussed the upcoming adaptation during a Friday appearance on “Good Morning America.”
“Anything that works for the ‘Little House’ legacy floats all the boats, so I’m happy with that,” the 60-year-old actress said, touching on the original show’s lasting legacy.
“It’s about love, community, understanding, acceptance, and all the good, wonderful things.
“It’s a very impactful show—it still has tremendous meaning.”
