What To Know
- Alice Halsey immersed herself in the original series to prepare for the role.
- Original Laura actress Melissa Gilbert visited the set during Season 1.
- With the reboot already featuring a cameo from Alison Arngrim and Season 2 confirmed, there is speculation and hope among fans for a possible appearance by Gilbert in future episodes.
Stepping into the role of Little House on the Prairie‘s Laura Ingalls is no small feat, and Alice Halsey knew she had big shoes to fill when she was cast in the Netflix revival. According to the new “Half-Pint,” she watched episodes of the beloved 1970s series and embraced the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s semi-autobiographical stories before filming began.
“I watched a few of the episodes after we had shot Season 1, and I really, really loved it. I kept asking if I could watch more,” she told People.
After watching the landmark family show, Halsey walked away with a few strong opinions about star Michael Landon, who also exec produced, directed, and wrote for the series.
“I think that that show is really important to so many people. And Michael Landon really was a genius. He did a really great job. I love the show so much,” she said to the publication.
But to help her really inhabit the role of the second Ingalls daughter, Haley received a heaping helping of confidence from original Laura actress Melissa Gilbert, who visited the set during production on Season 1. According to the young star, she welcomed her into the Little House family.
“Melissa Gilbert came to set one day, and we got to meet her, and she’s so nice,” Halsey explained. “I ran off, and I gave her a big hug. We didn’t even know each other. I just saw her, and I ran to her. I think she’s a really nice person. She was just so supportive. So supportive, it just made me feel so welcomed into the Little House world.”
Could Melissa Gilbert have a place in this new Little House? The reboot has already paid tribute to the original series with a cameo from Alison Arngrim, who famously played Laura’s rival, Nellie Oleson. With the series already renewed for Season 2 and introducing the Oleson family, the door certainly appears to be open for more familiar faces.
Whether that includes Gilbert remains to be seen, but after her warm visit to the set and enthusiastic support for Alice Halsey, longtime fans would no doubt welcome seeing the original Laura return in some capacity.
Little House on the Prairie, Season 1, Streaming Now, Netflix