Netflix’s ‘Little House’ Brings Back Familiar Faces from Classic TV

Netflix’s new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie has drawn attention for its surprising cameo appearances. Two beloved actors from earlier television series have joined the cast, creating a bridge between the original shows and this fresh retelling.

Megan Follows, who starred as Anne Shirley in the 1985 PBS miniseries Anne of Green Gables, appears in the Netflix series as the grandmother of Laura Ingalls, played by Alice Halsey. Her character appears during a fever dream sequence while Laura battles illness. Alison Arngrim, known for her role as the villainous Nellie Oleson in the original NBC series from 1974 to 1983, also makes an appearance as a forest drifter named Ida.

Executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine explained the casting decisions to USA TODAY. She noted that many readers of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books also enjoy L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, which made Follows a natural choice. Sonnenshine said she admired Follows’ warmth in the earlier role and was pleased when the Canadian actress agreed to film a single scene in Winnipeg.

For Arngrim, the role was a playful nod to her past. Sonnenshine wanted to address the absence of Nellie Oleson in Season 1, as the character appears later in Wilder’s books and will be introduced in Season 2, played by Willa Dunn. Casting Arngrim as a quirky drifter offered a lighthearted tribute. Arngrim, who wrote the memoir Confessions of a Prairie Bitch, described her character Ida as a “crazy lady in the woods” and embraced the chance to play a role far removed from her iconic pigtailed antagonist.

Arngrim also shared details about her transformation into Ida. The makeup team worked to make her look disheveled, painting her teeth and nails to appear dirty and neglected. She admitted the process was a departure from her usual polished appearance but found the experience enjoyable.

Martin Donovan, known for his role in the Netflix series Archive 81, joins the cast as Mr. Ingalls, the father of Pa Ingalls, played by Luke Bracey. Sonnenshine, who worked with Donovan on Archive 81, invited him to take part in the project as a favor.

These cameos reflect the enduring appeal of the Little House and Anne of Green Gables stories, which remain cherished in many households, including those in Eswatini. The Netflix series continues to honor the pastoral themes and family values that made the original books and television shows beloved.