Netflix has released its remake of the beloved children's book Little House on the Prairie, and it's already storming the charts. The novel series by Laura Ingalls Wilder came out in the 1930s and is inspired by her childhood memories on the American Frontier, including her family's brief move to Kansas in the 1870s.
Plot and Cast
Following the lives and times of the Ingalls family – Charles (Luke Bracey) and Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald) with their children Mary (Skywalker Hughes) and Laura (Alice Halsley) – the books were adapted into a hugely popular TV series which ran from 1974 to 1983 and starred Michael Landon as the patriarch Charles. Over four decades on, Netflix is revisiting Ingalls for a brand new eight-episode adaptation from Rebecca Sonnenshine, which starts with the Ingalls' arrival in Kansas after leaving their home in Wisconsin behind. Lured by the promise of free land, they soon discover that the local indigenous people still have rights over the land, leaving the future of both the newly-established town of Independence and the homes of the Osage up in the air. At the heart of the show is 10-year-old Laura, who has a fiery spirit and a vast love for those around her.
Critical Reception
Despite the scepticism at a re-imagining in the lead-up to the series coming out, especially for such a well-loved tale, it has raked in several glowing reviews. The Financial Times called it 'a gripping new take on the beloved saga'. 'Cleverly, it leaves enough room for audiences to take what they want from it, whether that's indulging in the fantasy of living off the land or balking at the show's grittier truths,' the review reads. The Guardian's three-star take reads: 'This revamp of the 19th-century settlers show is a precision-tooled and well-oiled machine. It's a cosy world full of faith, hope and the American way.' 'Though the show is slightly slow at the start, the childlike whimsy and robust themes are as resounding today as they were 150 years ago,' the Variety critic praised. Decider called it an 'addictive family drama full of stunning visuals, sweet storylines, and a vivid sense of realism.'
Mixed Reviews
However, the muddling tone did put some off. The Times questioned: 'It looks amazing but feels confused and hamstrung. Is this a nostalgia trip for us oldies or an attempt to find a new young audience?' With Daily Beast adding: 'Its intentions are noble, but its execution is messy.' Senior TV reporter Asyia Iftikhar shared her two-star review for Metro, stating: 'The show invites us to see the full picture, as it should, but then can't handle the weight of it. It also means the tonal shifts are all over the place, oscillating between a tense political drama about the future of the land and having wholesome Christmas episodes blanketed in snow. By committing to meaningful representation, Netflix has undermined the very characters we should be getting behind, and I can't help but feel that if they wanted to try this version of Little House on the Prairie, then they should have taken it all the way.'
Cast Insights
Talking about going up for the iconic role of Charles, Luke Bracey told Buzzfeed: 'I actually had no connection to the books or the show growing up. My first experience with Little House was actually my first audition.' A stark contrast to his TV wife, played by Crosby Fitzgerald, who shared she 'grew up reading the books, and my mom is also a huge fan.' She added: 'During my audition process, she was collecting antique copies of the series without telling me.'
Streaming Success
This modern take on the dated story has won critics and viewers over, already climbing to number four on the top 10 chart. Little House on the Prairie is available to stream on Netflix now.
