Melissa Gilbert is breaking her silence about the Little House on the Prairie reboot. The new series dropped on Netflix earlier this month, and it stars DAYS alum Alice Halsey, who plays Laura Ingalls Wilder. The show has already received mixed reactions from fans of the original series.
Key Takeaways
- Melissa Gilbert starred in the original 1970s adaptation of Little House on the Prairie, which became a cult classic.
- Days of Our Lives alum Alice Halsey stars as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Netflix’s revival.
- Gilbert broke her silence on the criticism in a new Substack post, highlighting the historical and narrative inaccuracies in both adaptations.
- Gilbert advised fans to learn more about the real Laura Ingalls Wilder on the PBS documentary Prairie to Page.
Melissa Gilbert Breaks Her Silence on Little House on the Prairie Reboot
Gilbert played Laura Ingalls Wilder on the original series. The highly anticipated reboot of the classic series dropped on Netflix on July 9. The series stars Days of Our Lives alum Alice Halsey (ex-Rachel), who plays Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Despite just coming out this month, the show has already received criticism from fans of the OG series. Gilbert admitted that she had to break her silence on Substack after seeing the criticism on social media.
“Honestly, I’m afraid that I’m unable to be fully objective because I am too deeply involved to weigh in without emotion,” Gilbert wrote. “Second, I really don’t think it’s my place to weigh in. The audience’s reactions should speak for themselves. Critics and pundits be damned.”
However, Gilbert noted that she had to address a particular “issue I am seeing run rampant on social media and in articles.” Most of the criticism is about whether the original or the new series is historically accurate.
In her lengthy post, Gilbert urged fans to get the real story of Wilder in the PBS documentary, Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page. The documentary is available to stream on the PBS app and is available to purchase on Apple TV or Prime Video.
DAYS Alum Alice Halsey Stars in Netflix Reboot
Halsey was cast in the Netflix revival. According to a previous People report, the DAYS alum was aware that she had some big shoes to fill. She learned about the role by watching the episodes of the 1970s series.
“I watched a few episodes after we had shot Season 1, and I really, really loved it,” Halsey admitted. “I kept asking if we could watch more.”
Halsey received guidance from Gilbert, who visited the show’s set during Season 1. She wanted to officially welcome the former soap actress into the Little House family.
Halsey claimed that Gilbert was “so supportive” that it made her feel part of something special. As for Gilbert, she wants fans to enjoy the Little House on the Prairie reboot and the OG series for what it is.
“So rather than getting all twisted up in what’s real and what’s dramatized, maybe just sit back and go for the ride the creative minds behind these shows want to take you on,” Gilbert added. “If you like it, stick with it. If you don’t, you don’t have to watch.”
What are your thoughts on the Little House on the Prairie reboot?
