Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine says she considers herself the “world’s biggest ‘Little House’ fan”
Credit: Eric Zachanowich/Netflix
NEED TO KNOW
- Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine emphasizes her deep love for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books
- The series, which premieres on Thursday, July 9, adapts the original book series, focusing on the Ingalls family’s journey and life on the Kansas frontier
- Sonnenshine tells PEOPLE the show highlights family, community, and kindness while introducing Little House to a new generation of viewers
Little House on the Prairie showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine wants fans to know they’re in good hands.
Ahead of Netflix’s adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved books, Sonnenshine spoke with PEOPLE about her love for Wilder’s semi-autobiographical novels. More than anything, she wants fans of the books and the NBC series, which aired from 1974 to 1983, to know she considers herself the “world’s biggest Little House fan.”
“I want people to know, first of all, everybody making this show cares about the books and bringing it to life and being as authentic as we can and bringing all those details to life that people love,” she says of the new series, which arrives on Thursday, July 9. “Everyone cares so much.”
Sonnenshine makes it clear that the Netflix series is not a reboot of the ‘70s classic starring Michael Landon (Charles), Karen Grassle (Caroline), Melissa Gilbert (Laura), Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary) and twins Sidney and Lindsay Greenbush (Carrie), which primarily was set in Walnut Grove. Instead, it’s grounded in the book series and its first season adapts 1935’s Little House on the Prairie, which follows the Ingalls’ journey to start a homestead just outside the town of Independence, Kan.
Credit: Eric Zachanowich/Netflix
The showrunner, who worked on The Boys and wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid, first read the books when she was 5 years old. “It really shaped my worldview as a person and an artist that a female author wrote the most important books in my life about a female character that made me feel like I could do anything,” she says.
That character is the adventurous Laura, now played by 11-year-old Alice Halsey. She’s joined by Luke Bracey as Pa Charles, Crosby Fitzgerald as Ma Caroline and Skywalker Hughes as Mary. Sonnenshine says she knew Halsey was the right person to take on the iconic role because “she really embodies the spirit of Laura.”
“This series is basically told through the eyes of Laura, who’s taking all of us on this journey of discovery and joy and adventure,” Sonnenshine says, adding that “you needed someone who could really mine the reality of it,” with Halsey being the perfect choice.
Credit: Eric Zachanowich/Netflix
As for the books, Sonnenshine calls them “such an important piece of American literature” and “window into all the complicated and good things about our country.” She also wants fans to know that the stories will be “focused on people doing good works and being generous and kind to each other and building community.”
It’s a show that is “very much about a family” and one “people can watch with their kids,” she promises, noting that it never talks down to children.
“I think it’ll bring both people who love the show, that already know they love this property, they already love Little House, but I also think that it will introduce Little House to a whole new group of people,” she says of the new series.
In addition to Halsey, Bracey, Fitzgerald and Hughes, the cast also includes Warren Christie, Alyssa Wapanatâhk and Wren Zhawenim Gotts. The show’s official logline calls the series a “fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books” that “offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.”
Credit: Netflix
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While the Netflix series isn’t a reboot of the classic NBC show, at their core, both shows are about the power of family. “I think the thing that binds the two shows is just this sense of it’s a love story about a family and it’s all about this family who supports each other and loves each other and they’re there for each other,” Sonnenshine says. “They entertain each other. There’s no Netflix. They sing together. They tell stories together.”
She adds, “It’s very much about being present and in the moment and doing good work and being generous and finding a way to become part of the community. Those things are shared by both adaptations in different ways, but I think it has a very similar spirit.”
Little House on the Prairie premieres Thursday, July 9 on Netflix.
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