The Little House on the Prairie TV series (1974-1983) remains one of the most enduring family dramas in American television history.
Loosely adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, the show brought frontier life to millions of viewers, blending historical drama with themes of family, resilience, and morality.
The series featured an ensemble of actors who became household names. These included Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, the hardworking patriarch, farmer, and moral center of the Ingalls family; Karen Grassie as Caroline Ingalls, the nurturing yet strong-willed matriarch; Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls, the spririted daughter and eventual narrator of much of the story; Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls, the eldest daughter, whose later blindness would become a major storyline; Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls, the youngest daughter in early seasons; Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder, Laura's eventual husband; Katherine MacGregor as Harriet Oleson and Richard Bull as Nels Oleson, the owners of the mercantile and comic antagonists; Alison Arngrim as Nellie Oleson, Laura's rival and one of television's most iconic "mean girls." The supporting cast of regulars included Victor French (Isaiah Edwards), Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson), and Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls).
Set in the late 19th century, the series follows the Ingalls family as they settle near Walnut Grove, Minnesota. The series depicts their struggles and triumphs as pioneers, detailing the hardships of farming, natural disasters, and personal tragedies, while also highlighting moments of joy, love, and community.
In 1972, producer Ed Friendly acquired the TV rights to Wilder's novels. Blanche Hanalis was hired to write the pilot. Michael Landon agreed to direct the pilot on the condition that he also play the role of Charles Ingalls. The pilot aired on March 30, 1974, and the series began that September on ABC. Creative tensions between Friendly and Landon led to Landon assuming near-total creative control, serving as executive producer, writer, and frequent director.
The series ran for nine seasons (1974-1983), with the final season retitled Little House: A New Beginning. Three post-series TV movies followed.
The series consistently ranked among NBC's most popular programs, praised for its wholesome storytelling and moral lessons. It also became a cultural phenomenon internationally. Little House on the Prairie has, thus far, never been out of syndication since its original run.
The Little House franchise has inspired several adaptations. Post-series TV movies produced between 1983 and 1984 included Look Back to Yesterday, The Last Farewell, and Bless All the Dear Children. Young Pioneers (1976-1978) was a short-lived ABC series based on Rose Wilder Lane's novel Let the Hurricane Roar, produced by Ed Friendly and Blanche Hanalis. Beyond the Prairie (1999, 2001) were CBS movies marketed as the "true story" of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
In 2012, Sony Pictures announced that a film adaptation of the Little House on the Prairie novel was under development. In early 2016, it was reported that Paramount Pictures acquired the project in a turnaround, but an agreement was never reached. In 2020, Paramount Television Studios and Anonymous Content announced they were developing a reboot as a one-hour dramatic series adaptation, but it never came about.
However, on January 29, 2025, Netflix announced a new series based on the Little House on the Prairie books with CBS Studios in association with Anonymous Content Studios, following up on the 2020 reboot plans. Trip Friendly, son of Ed Friendly, is an executive producer alongside Rebecca Sonnenshine, Joy Gorman Wettels, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel. Reportedly, the Netflix series is intended to be more tightly focused on the original books, rather than a reboot of the Michael Landon series. On May 2, 2025, it was announced that Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald, and Skywalker Hughes had been cast as Laura, Charles, Caroline, and Mary Ingalls, respectively. Directed by Sarah Adina Smith, the series is expected to be filmed from June to October 2025 in Winnipeg, Canada. On June 10, 2025, it was reported that production had started.
Topics related to any movie, series, or film production based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's series of books are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Illustrated Little House on the Prairie Episode Guide, The
This is a fan-run, mobile-friendly episode guide for the 1974 "Little House on the Prairie" series, covering the pilot movie and seasons 1-10, as well as a complete episode menu, alphabetical actors and crew lists, a character picture album, additional images, the sets, and an interactive Walnut Grove map, related shows. The family TV show, which ran on NBC-TV from 1974 to 1984, was loosely based on the novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder during the 1930s and 1940s.
https://lhop.steve-p.org/
The Ingalls Homestead is an open-air museum and living history site near De Smet, South Dakota, devoted to recreating the childhood world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It invites families to immerse themselves in frontier life through hands-on activities and authentic experiences. Key activities include covered wagon rides, interactive, activity-based demonstrations of 19th-century homesteading, and an exhibi showcasing native prairie ecosystems as they appeared in Wilder's time.
https://www.ingallshomestead.com/
Laura F. Keyes: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura F. Keyes is a historian and performer who brings history to life through two signature formats: historic portrayals and illustrated lectures, drawing on her proprietary research to share authentic voices and stories from the past. Her articles on Laura Ingalls Wilder include illustrated lectures on the Ingalls' family ordeal during the brutal winter of 1880-1881, her later move from South Dakota to Missouri, the importance of music in the Ingalls household, and her novels.
https://www.laurafkeyes.com/laura-ingalls-wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder & Little House Books
Also known as Laura's Prairie House, this is a fan and reference site dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books and TV series. It offers book summaries, episode guides for the Little House on the Prairie television shows, historical-site travel information, homeschool and teacher resources, crafts, recipes, music, and researcher-focused materials. Include is a complete episode guide, cast biographies, behind-the-scenes details, and a Walnut Grove visitor guide.
https://laurasprairiehouse.com/
Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion, The
A resource for those who want to engage with the Ingalls and Wilder families, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion is a guide that provides a chapter-by-chapter exploration of the "Little House" books. It includes brief introductions, "Fact or Fiction" sidebars, and a variety of activities, crafts, and recipes that encourage readers to "Live Like Laura." The Companion is designed for children and offers thoughtful questions to deepen their understanding of the stories and the historical context.
https://www.wildercompanion.com/
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum
The museum in Mansfield, Missouri, is a treasured destination for fans of the "Little House" series and American pioneer history. Located at Rocky Ridge Farm, the site preserves the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, offering a personal glimpse into her life and work. Includes is the historic farmhouse built by Almanzo and Laura Wilder in 1894, the Rock House constructed by their daughter in 1928, and museum exhibits, which include Pa's fiddle, first editions of the books, and other memorabilia.
https://lauraingallswilderhome.com/
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes
Maintained by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, committed to preserving and restoring the Ingalls-Wilder heritage in De Smet, South Dakota, while also providing a learning experience for all interested individuals, the site focuses on the history of the family in De Smet. It includes tours of the Original Surveyors' House from Wilder's fifth book, the Original Ingalls Home built in 1887-1889, and the Original First School attended by Laura and her sister Carrie.
https://discoverlaura.org/
The museum in Pepin, Wisconsin, offers an immersive experience into the early life of the author of the "Little House" series. Located on 3rd Street in Pepin, the museum sits near the site of Laura's birth. It celebrates her legacy with a collection of memorabilia, photographs, and exhibits that highlight pioneer life in the "Big Woods of Wisconsin." Included are historical artifacts, a replica of the log cabin where Laura was born, and a gift shop. Seasonal hours are posted.
https://www.lauraingallspepin.com/
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum
The Masters Hotel, now operating as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum, is located in Burr Oak, Iowa. It is the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls that remains on its original site. Built in 1851, the hotel began as the Burr Oak House, becoming the Masters Hotel in 1873. In 1876, Laura Ingalls and her family lived and worked in the hotel, which her father managed while also working at a sawmill after leaving Walnut Grove, Minnesota, after two years of grasshopper plagues.
https://www.lauraingallswilder.us/
Dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder, her famous children's books, and the shows based on them, Cheryl C. Malandrinos has many interests, including the "Little House" series. In this blog, which has been active since 2008 and continues to be updated, the author discusses various topics related to books, movies, and series, archived by year in the standard blog format. Popular posts are listed on the right, and the content is posted in chronological order, starting with the most recent.
https://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/
This appears to be a fan-run travel blog dedicated to tracing every significant Laura Ingalls Wilder site across the United States. It invited "Little House" enthusiasts to follow along on an "epic Laura Ingalls Wilder & Little House road trip," which combines historical homesteads with the TV series filming locations. It includes detailed stories of visits to important Wilder locations, from her childhood homes to those she lived in as an adult, as well as filming locations.
https://laurasprairie.com/
The official website for Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series offers information bout the books, the author, spin-off chapters, and additional fan resources. Featured publications include all of Laura Ingalls Wilder's original novels, the "Little House Girls" chapter books, "The Little House Cookbook: New Full-Color Edition," and box sets and collections. Visitors can subscribe for sneak peeks and special offers by submitting their email address and date of birth.
https://www.littlehousebooks.com/
Copyrighted by Friendly Family Productions, which holds the trademarks, licensing rights, and brand assets for the series, with Ed Friendly co-creating and producing the original TV series, while his son, Trip Friendly, is one of a few executive producers for the Netflix series in production. The website serves as a one-stop hub for fans seeking cast and crew spotlights, pioneer-era crafts and activities, authentic recipes, literary and historical insights, and episode guides and news.
https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/
Little House on the Prairie Anniversary Podcast
The Little House 50 Podcast is a special event series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the "Little House on the Prairie" television series. It features cast members Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler, alongside host Pamela Bob, in nostalgic insider conversations about the people, stories, and events that have made Walnut Grove a beloved fictional home for decades. New episodes are released weekly, and special segments reveal how the series was crafted by its original family of actors.
https://littlehouse50podcast.com/
Little House on the Prairie Forum
Powered by phpBB, this forum is dedicated to "Little House on the Prairie." It is organized into five main sections (Aaron's Corner, Little House on the Prairie Topics, Walnut Grove Community, The Pen & Plow's Entertainment Section, The Prairie Playground), each housing multiple subforums where members discuss everything from character analysis to recipes, games, and other topics related to the books, TV series, or movies. Registration is required for participation.
https://lhotp.editboard.com/
Little House on the Prairie Museum
The Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, Kansas, preserves and celebrates the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the late 1800s prairie era. Visitors can explore authentic-looking structures and immerse themselves in the pioneer life experience. The museum's mission emphasizes education about Wilder's legacy and the importance of historic preservation. Included is a replica of the Ingalls family cabin, a historic post office, a one-room schoolhouse, and a barn with live animals.
https://www.lhopmuseum.com/
Little House on the Prairie TV Cast
This is a fan-run resource about the Little House on the Prairie TV series, aggregating cast information, episode broadcast and streaming details, video clips, reunion events, behind-the-scenes materials, and a blog. Included is a landing page with featured images and links, cast pages and filmographies, video highlights from the show, information about cast reunions, behind-the-scenes production notes, an informational blog, and links to external fan pages.
https://www.littlehouseontheprairietvcast.com/
Prairie Legacy Productions LLC
Headquartered in Studio City, California, the officially licensed producer of immersive fan events celebrating "Little House on the Prairie" delivers personal, fan-centric experiences that honor one of television's most beloved family dramas. Its leadership team includes Alison Arngrim, Dean Butler, Michael Davidson, and Jennifer Bralier. Its site features upcoming event highlights, ticket information, and schedules. Contact details, including a contact form, are posted on the site.
https://www.prairielegacyproductions.com/
Walnut Groovy is a fan-maintained blog dedicated to recapping and analyzing episodes of the classic "Little House on the Prairie" TV series, featuring in-depth summaries and witty commentary by Will Kaiser. It features detailed episode summaries that blend humor with insight. Editor's notes highlight memorable or controversial moments, and high-resolution episode stills and custom visuals are included. Kaiser has maintained a consistent posting schedule with archives going back to early 2025.
https://walnutgroovy.com/
The website represents the official home for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant and Museum in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. It features event details (dates, ticket sales), museum visitor information (hours, exhibits, gift shop), historical resources (Ingalls dugout site, educational scavenger hunt), announcements, and fundraising updates, all centered on celebrating the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and local heritage. Information on where to stay is also included.
https://walnutgrove.org/
