The upcoming Netflix version of Little House on the Prairie is making a major change from the original 1970s series. The new show will not take place in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Instead, it follows the Ingalls family as they move to Independence, Kansas. This shift in setting is the biggest difference between the two versions. The series is set to release all eight episodes on July 9, 2026.
Why The Netflix Show Is Set In Kansas
The reason for this location change comes from the source material. The new adaptation is based on the third book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series. In that book, the Ingalls family first moves from Pepin, Wisconsin, to Independence, Kansas. They build a house on the prairie there. The family eventually leaves because they discover they have settled on protected Native American reservation territory. They move back to Wisconsin and later go to Walnut Grove, Minnesota. The original NBC show, which ran from 1974 to 1983, was set in Walnut Grove.
Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine, known for her work on The Vampire Diaries and The Boys, explained the show’s direction to Tudum by Netflix. She said the series explores the idea of people looking for a better life.
“It’s about people deciding who they want to be, and it’s about people looking for a better life. It leans into the idea that it’s never too late to do that. You always have a chance to reinvent and to rediscover who you are, what means something to you, what kind of people you want to be, what kind of adventures you want to take, what kind of life you want to seek.”
Sonnenshine also shared her personal connection to the books.
“I fell deeply in love with these books when I was 5 years old. They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new audience.”
A Fresh Adaptation, Not A Copy
The creative team wants audiences to see this as a new version, not a simple copy of the old show. The new series offers a “kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier,” according to the official logline. It is described as “part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West”.
The show does not avoid the difficult parts of history. Sonnenshine told Entertainment Weekly that the series portrays the prejudices of the era.
“People had prejudices. Of course we wanted to portray that there are people who have a problem, and there are people who don’t… I really want to present a very humanist interpretation of the books.”
She also mentioned that the show includes elements from Laura’s real life that are not in the books but were part of her life or history at that time.
Missing Character And New Faces
The new trailer shows a noticeable difference: Carrie Ingalls, the younger sister of Laura and Mary, is missing. In the original show, the role was played by Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush. This omission is intentional because the new adaptation follows the books more closely. Carrie has not been born yet during the time period covered in the first season.
Alice Halsey takes on the role of Laura Ingalls. Luke Bracey plays her father, Charles Ingalls. Crosby Fitzgerald plays her mother, Caroline Ingalls. Skywalker Hughes plays Laura’s older sister, Mary Ingalls.
Other cast members include Jocko Sims as Dr. George Tann, Warren Christie as John Edwards, and Meegwun Fairbrother as Mitchell. The cast also features Ryan Robbins, Barrett Doss, Michael Hough, and Mary Holland.
A Different Tone And Deeper Story
The new series leans more into the hardships the real family faced. The original show was known for being a family-friendly program. The Netflix version touches on topics like racism and poverty. It portrays the historical realities of frontier life more directly. Actress Alice Halsey, who plays Laura, described the danger the family faces.
“Laura’s in a life-or-death situation every single day. She helps and protects her family every day. And in those times, in that century – as a girl, too – it’s hard, but she stays strong throughout it.”
The show also gives voice to characters who did not have one in the original series. This includes Dr. Tann, a Black doctor from the books, and their neighbor Mr. Edwards, a Civil War veteran.
Indigenous Representation In The Reboot
The new adaptation is intentional about portraying Indigenous characters with depth. The show aims to avoid racial stereotypes that the original books have been criticized for. Meegwun Fairbrother, an Ojibwe actor who plays Mitchell, said the producers wanted an inclusive retelling. The story shows a white family settling on Osage land in the 19th century. The goal was to avoid continuing “the history of erasure of Indigenous peoples in North America”.
The show includes the Indigenous Mitchell family as a parallel to the Ingalls family. It shows their love and struggles when settlers come. Fairbrother says this version does not avoid complex issues.
“It’s central to the story of what it means to share land, and to occupy a space with different cultures and people trying to get along to survive.”
The crew included consultants to ensure accuracy. Fairbrother worked with a language consultant for six weeks to learn his dialogue. He said he had to do a lot of research to show respect for the Osage culture.
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Season 2 Already Confirmed
Netflix has already renewed the show for a second season. This decision came in March 2026, months before the first season even premieres. Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of US and Canada scripted series, expressed confidence in the show.
“The exceptional work by Rebecca Sonnenshine and the entire cast and crew on season 1 has established a rich foundation of storytelling for years to come. With its hopeful spirit and emotional authenticity, we’re confident that Little House will deliver even more of what fans truly love.”
The first season consists of eight episodes. All episodes will be available to stream on Netflix on July 9, 2026. The series will launch globally, with UK viewers able to watch at 8am British Summer Time.
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