Alison Arngrim knows you can't recreate the original when it come to "Little House on the Prairie." The actress, who famously starred as mean girl Nellie Oleson, told Fox News Digital recently.
"Yes, there is a deal at Netflix," the star shared. "Even the people making it have said, ‘Oh God, don’t call it a reboot.’ They’re not trying to remake the ‘70s show. Everyone has said, ‘Obviously, we can’t recreate [it]. We don’t want to recreate [it]. That’s been done. Michael Landon did it, he achieved it and, boom, it’s good. We’re leaving it alone."
Netflix confirmed its reboot plans for the beloved series, which first premiered on NBC back in 1974 and ran until 1983. The original show was based on the novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder about growing up in the American West during the late 1800s. Making it clear this new take wouldn’t imitate its predecessor, Arngrim noted, "They’re going back to the books – they’re going back to the beginning."
Arngrim highlighted the intent behind the reboot as she expressed hope. "They’re still hiring directors and everything. It’s still very, very early, but they’re looking at the first books when Laura is a tiny girl. They’re going back to their roots. ”
The actress likens the reboot to other literary adaptations, likening them to numerous versions of classics like "Dracula" and "Frankenstein." "How many times have we made Dracula?" she remarked with humor. "These are fantastic literary properties... Some [adaptations] were brilliant. Some were terrible. And yet, we still watch them."
Despite the excitement about the new series, Arngrim added some humor and skepticism, saying, "What will this be like? We don’t know yet. But they’re not trying to steal or recreate the thing." She reminded fans about some characters like Albert Ingalls, who were added for the show and don’t exist within Wilder’s works. "There were some characters made up, A Michael Landon invention... But this time, they’re going back to the books. So, it will be extraordinarily different from our show."
Reflecting on the original show's magic, she shared, "Everyone involved agrees there was certain lightning in a bottle... Michael Landon’s vision was magic."
Arngrim went on to give advice for whoever may take on the role of Nellie Oleson, one she's still recognized for today. "If they don’t like you, you’re doing your job," she stated. "Your job is not to be liked. Did Anthony Hopkins pull back when he was playing Hannibal Lecter? Did you ever see a moment where he thought, ‘That’s a little much?’ No – and that's it."
She noted, "If you think, ‘Wow, that's pretty terrible,' – go there. You need to have strong sense of self... because if you do it right, somebody will hate you, preferably everybody." With nostalgia pouring from fans, Arngrim remembered, "Yes, I did get hit in the face with orange soda during a Christmas parade."
Her connection to ‘Little House’ runs deep. Arngrim hosted live readings of the books during the pandemic, which became popular as families sought solace during tough times. "The ‘Little House’ books came at the height of the Great Depression, and the series premiered during another recession, and when times got hard, people turned to ‘Little House’ for comfort," she explains.
"There’s this deep connection people have to the show, and it’s truly amazing. It stood the test of time, just as Michael Landon predicted. When times get hard, there’s always ‘Little House on the Prairie.’" Arngrim's fondness for the show and its themes remains vibrant, promising audiences engagement and nostalgia through her performances.
The surviving cast members have maintained close relationships, and amid recent reconnections, Arngrim has shed light on her working relationship with fellow cast member Melissa Sue Anderson. Discussing past tensions, Arngrim admitted, "There were difficulties between us. We had very different personalities."
Though the relationship started with conflict during their early teens, it has evolved positively. Following years without contact, the two actresses reunited at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival and found common ground. "50 years after the series, things are much improved," Arngrim stated. "It was the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect based on their shared past and mutual friends."
Looking back on her cherished experiences from "Little House on the Prairie," Arngrim affirms its continued relevance, hosting her new show upcoming titled "Totalement 80" across various French towns starting February 28. This show combines nostalgia and humor, connecting audiences to the beloved entertainment era, reminiscent of how she mesmerized earlier audiences as Nellie Oleson.
Alison Arngrim continues to celebrate her past, reflecting not only on her legacy but also on the enduring impact of 'Little House on the Prairie' and its promise of comfort across generations, reminding us just how intertwined our lives become with such cherished narratives.