Netflix has officially opened the casting process for its reboot of Little House on the Prairie, signaling the next step in bringing Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic tale back to the screen. Announced earlier this year, the series—helmed by showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine of The Boys and The Vampire Diaries fame—is now on the hunt for actors to portray the iconic Ingalls family. Trevor Decker News has the latest on this developing story, including details straight from the casting call.
The search is underway for Charles, Caroline, Laura, Mary, and other key characters, with filming scheduled to begin this summer in Winnipeg, Canada, from June to October. The production, a collaboration between CBS Studios and Anonymous Content Studios, is being overseen by a team of executive producers that includes Joy Gorman Wettels, Dana Fox, Susanna Fogel, and Trip Friendly, son of the original series’ producer Ed Friendly. Sarah Adina Smith is set to direct, and the first season will adapt Wilder’s book Little House on the Prairie, chronicling the family’s move from Wisconsin to Independence, Kansas, with Osage characters factoring into the storyline.
The casting call, detailed by Deadline, paints the reboot as “part-hopeful family drama, part-epic survival tale, and part-origin story of the American West,” promising a “kaleidoscope view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.” For aspiring actors, the process is specific: submissions are due by April 4, 2025, and require a self-tape. The spotlight is particularly on finding Laura, described as a “disruptor” who is “honest to a fault” and “questions authority.” Candidates for Laura must be Caucasian, aged 9 to 11, and submit a self-tape with a full-body shot. This emphasis on self-tapes aligns with modern audition trends, allowing Netflix to cast a wide net for talent without initial in-person auditions.
The original series, which aired on NBC from 1974 to 1983 and starred Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, remains a cultural touchstone—its recent 13.3 billion streaming minutes on Peacock underscore its enduring appeal. This reboot, however, isn’t leaning on the past cast. Gilbert, the original Laura, told Entertainment Weekly she supports the project but sees it as a new interpretation, distinct from Landon’s vision. She hinted at possibilities like diverse casting, while Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) quipped to Deadline about playing Mrs. Oleson, though no original cast returns are confirmed.
Sonnenshine, a lifelong fan of Wilder’s books, brings a personal passion to the project, backed by a team intent on honoring the story’s legacy while updating it for today. Trip Friendly’s involvement ties it to the original, but the focus is on a fresh narrative lens. As the April 4 deadline approaches, the industry is abuzz with speculation about who might step into these pioneer shoes. Will Netflix find a Laura to rival Gilbert’s “Half-Pint”? Trevor Decker News will keep you posted as this prairie tale takes shape.
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