Alice Halsey’s name has been dominating soap opera discourse lately, appearing everywhere from Twitter threads to dedicated Facebook fan groups, and it is certainly not by accident. Longtime viewers and major soap outlets are already hailing her as one of Days of Our Lives’ standout newcomers of the year, praising the way she has transformed the character of Rachel Black into “must-watch” television. With that wave of daytime attention colliding with the massive news of her casting as Laura Ingalls in Netflix’s upcoming Little House on the Prairie adaptation, this feels like the perfect time to spotlight her rapidly rising star here at Trevor Decker News.
Alice stepped into the role of Rachel Black earlier this year, taking over from Finley Rose Slater, and both the press and the audience noticed an immediate shift. Soap Hub recently highlighted how she has layered Rachel into one of Salem’s best new young villains, creating a character who is simultaneously a “love to hate” troublemaker and a deeply wounded child in over her head. Critics have been quick to point out her ability to pivot instantly from a bratty schemer—such as when Rachel poisoned Sarah after uncovering her past—to a guilt-ridden kid. That specific emotional whiplash is exactly what has the fandom talking.
The work she is putting in has already translated into formal recognition. Soap Opera News named Alice “Performer of the Week” across all soaps following a series of intense hospital scenes where Rachel confessed her actions to her father. The outlet noted that she “brought the house down” and kept viewers glued to the screen. Furthermore, lists celebrating the year’s top soap newcomers are citing her as one of daytime’s brightest young talents, specifically mentioning how she holds her own opposite veterans and steals entire episodes with just a look or a single line of dialogue.
Fan reaction has been just as loud as the critical praise. There are threads all over Reddit declaring Rachel the best new villain the show has seen in years, with viewers admitting they consider her scenes essential viewing whenever she appears. In fan groups, the consensus is that Alice is an “amazing little actress,” particularly for how she brings Brady’s pain and Rachel’s internal turmoil to the surface. What makes her different is the nuance; even when the writers give Rachel something outrageous to do, Alice’s performance grounds it in anger, fear, and the thrill of the scheme, reminding everyone that this is a child shaped by complicated parents.
All of this acclaim is happening at the exact same time Alice is preparing to lead a major streaming reboot. After an international search that began with an open casting call early this year, producers announced she was chosen to play Laura Ingalls in Netflix’s new Little House on the Prairie series. The adaptation is being framed as a fresh, emotionally grounded take on Laura’s coming-of-age on the American frontier. Official descriptions highlight this version of Laura as observant, outspoken, and fiercely loyal—a natural fit for the curiosity and stubbornness Alice is already displaying on Days.
For daytime audiences, Alice’s current run in Salem serves as a preview of the range she will bring to the prairie. While Rachel Black is shaped by bad influences and trauma, Laura Ingalls will allow her to channel that intensity into a heroine who pushes back against injustice. While soap outlets speculate on what the Netflix schedule might mean for Rachel’s future in Salem, the verdict is clear: enjoy every episode she is in. Alice Halsey is quickly becoming a name to remember, and her journey from daytime scene-stealer to the lead of a beloved classic is a story worth celebrating.