The most closely watched Little House On The Prairie casting search is over: 10-years-old Alice Halsey (Lessons in Chemistry, Days of Our Lives) has landed the role of Laura Ingalls in the Netflix reboot from showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine and CBS Studios.
Halsey is the first cast member confirmed for the new series, described as part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West. Casting Laura is considered key: she is the protagonist of the show as it is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s semi-autobiographical novels and tells the story of the struggles and triumphs faced by those who shaped the frontier through her eyes.
In the 1974 TV series, Laura was played by Melissa Gilbert who recently welcomed the new take on the classic books.
Per the official character description, Laura (Halsey) is a disruptor. Honest to a fault. Questions authority. She’s our window into this adventure. An American icon in waiting. Forget your modern ideas of childhood — the stakes are high for children living in the 19th century. They have responsibilities — and freedoms — that seem extraordinary in this era of helicopter parenting. Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery. She is observant, tender, strong-willed, hot-tempered. She resists the bounds of 19th-century ladylike behavior — she likes to run barefoot and feel the sun on her face. She is curious and optimistic and fearless, like her father; resourceful and hardworking and honest, like her mother. She is quick to call out anyone who is cruel or unjust. She loves fiercely and unapologetically and is utterly devoted to her dog, Jack. She rubs some adults the wrong way — too many hard questions, too much personality, too much energy — but to the people who matter, she’s a bright light. She absorbs every detail she sees around her, collecting them for stories she will someday share with the world.
Sonnenshine executive produces alongside Joy Gorman Wettels for Joy Coalition, Trip Friendly for Friendly Family Productions, Dana Fox and Susanna Fogel. Sarah Adina Smith will direct the first episode. She was a director and executive producer on the first two episodes of Apple TV+’s Lessons In Chemistry, which didn’t feature Halsey. CBS Studios produces with Anonymous Content Studio
Since its original publication in the 1930s, the Little House novels have sold over 73 million copies in more than 100 countries, translated into at least 27 languages. Their 1974 TV series adaptation has found new audience on streaming with 13.25 billion minutes viewed on Peacock in 2024.
Halsey launched her acting career at the age of 7, playing Madeline Zott, the hyper intelligent — and wise — daughter of Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) in Apple TV+ praised limited series Lessons In Chemistry. She can be seen on Peacock’s Days Of Our Lives as Rachel Black and heard as part of the main cast of Disney Jr.’s animated television series Kindergarten: The Musical, voicing twin sisters Kat and Ellie. Halsey also recently guest starred on the NBC comedy series Night Court.
In a recent behind-the-scenes DoOL video. Halsey reveals that she first auditioned for a commercial when she was 3 but didn’t get the part. After a break, she started acting again when she was 5-6 and soon booked Lessons In Chemistry.
The post ‘Little House On The Prairie’ Netflix Reboot Finds Its Laura Ingalls In ‘Lessons Of Chemistry’s Alice Halsey appeared first on Deadline.
