‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reboot Set at Netflix

by

Netflix has given the go-ahead for a fresh television version of “Little House on the Prairie,” the cherished book collection penned by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Rebecca Sonnenshine, known for her work on “The Boys,” “Vampire Diaries,” and “Archive 81,” has been appointed as showrunner and executive producer for the upcoming series. Joining her in these roles are Joy Gorman Wettels of Joy Coalition, Trip Friendly from Friendly Family Productions, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel. The production will be handled by CBS Studios and Anonymous Content Studios for Netflix. It’s worth noting that Trip Friendly is the son of Ed Friendly, who was an executive producer on the original “Little House on the Prairie” television series.

Jinny Howe, Netflix’s vice president of drama series, shared her enthusiasm about reimagining ‘Little House on the Prairie’, a story that has touched and inspired countless readers worldwide. The new adaptation will keep alive the timeless messages of optimism and hope, all while offering a fresh perspective. Rebecca’s creative vision promises to add an emotional layer that will resonate with both old fans and new ones who are about to fall in love with this cherished tale.

This upcoming series is described as follows: “A blend of heartwarming family narrative, thrilling survival story, and origin saga of the American West, this contemporary take on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved semi-autobiographical ‘Little House’ books offers a vibrant perspective on the hardships and victories experienced by those who forged the frontier.

Back in the 1930s and ’40s, I found myself captivated by the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder as she penned her heartwarming “Little House” series. These eight novels were born from her own childhood experiences growing up in the American Midwest during the late 1800s. An additional ninth book was published posthumously in 1971, further enriching this timeless collection. To date, more than 73 million copies of these books have found their way into the hands of readers, a testament to the enduring appeal of Wilder’s storytelling.

Originally written as a series of books, “Little House on the Prairie” became an immensely successful NBC television show that ran for nine seasons and produced over 200 episodes from 1974 to 1983. Following the series, three TV films based on the same title were released. Despite ending years ago, the show’s popularity persists, with it being reported by Nielsen as one of the most-streamed library titles in 2024, amassing a staggering 13.25 billion minutes of viewing time on Peacock throughout the year.

When I was just five years old, I developed a deep affection for these books,” Sonnenshine remarked. “They ignited my passion to write and create films, and it’s an immense privilege and excitement for me to be adapting these tales for a fresh international audience with Netflix.”

Or:

“At the age of five, I became deeply enamored with these books,” Sonnenshine explained. “They sparked my dream of becoming a writer and filmmaker, and it’s an incredible honor and joy to be bringing these narratives to life for a new global audience in collaboration with Netflix.

Sonnenshine is repped by UTA, Circle Management + Production, and Hansen Jacobson.

For years, I’ve cherished the ambition of continuing my father’s work and modernizing Wilder’s timeless American tales for today’s audience. It’s a blend that appeals to admirers of both the original books and the classic TV series,” Friendly expressed. “I’m ecstatic about our gifted creative team, headed by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who are breathing life into these treasured tales about family, community, and survival for both long-time fans and new audiences.

In the last few years, Netflix has greenlit three Western-themed series, the latest being the limited drama “American Primeval” starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin. Another upcoming Western show is “The Abandons,” though its creator and showrunner, Kurt Sutter, left the project in October, leaving production unfinished. The filming was completed, but as of this writing, a release date for the series has not been announced.

In addition to its current offerings, Netflix had earlier launched the miniseries “Godless” in the western genre back in 2017. This production earned a total of 12 Emmy nominations and took home three awards.

Read More

2025-01-29 22:48