Melissa Gilbert Lists 2 Reasons Why She Hasn’t Addressed The New “Little House” Series
on Jul 24, 2026 • Updated Jul 24, 2026
Laura Ingalls’ life story returned to the screen on July 9th when Netflix released the first season of its Little House on the Prairie series. The original program, which ran from 1974 to 1983, starred Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, and Melissa Sue Anderson.
Fans have been curious to know how some of the show’s surviving cast members feel about Netflix’s adaptation, especially Gilbert, who played Laura. But she kept quiet until July 17th, when she finally broke her silence on her Substack.
Gilbert listed two reasons why she didn’t address the new series. For starters, she believes she can’t be “objective” about the show because of her deep-rooted connection to the original series.
“Honestly, I’m afraid that I am unable to be fully objective because I am too deeply involved to weigh in without emotion,” she said.
RELATED: SEE THE NEW “LITTLE HOUSE” STARS VS. THE ORIGINALS
Secondly, Gilbert said she feels it’s not “her place” to offer her opinion on the show. “The audience’s reactions should speak for themselves. Critics and pundits be damned,” she wrote.
Netflix’s Little House series generated 6.4 million views in four days. The series currently holds a 79% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 68% audiencec score.
Melissa Gilbert also addressed those who criticized the new series for being inaccurate. She readily admitted that even the original series wasn’t true to life in every respect, citing several plot points to support her claim.
She suggested that those who would love the “one hundred percent truth” rather than a dramatized account of Laura’s story should watch the PBS documentary Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page.
But regarding more fictionalized accounts, Gilbert said, “I truly believe there is lots and lots of room for many stories to come out of the Little House universe for decades to come.” She feels the most important thing for any adaptation is that “the core tenets” of Laura’s story remain.
“Those are, to be kind, to be charitable, patient, tolerant, open, curious, loving,” Gilbert said. “To support those in need. To care for, nurture and love one’s family. To respect nature and be grateful for her bountiful gifts. To love God and each other.”
Melissa Gilbert Previously Shared Her Thoughts About Netflix’s Little House Series Before It Premiered
Melissa Gilbert recently returned to social media following her husband Timothy Busfield’s arrest in January. Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child on February 6th.
PEOPLE reports that Busfield was released from custody on January 20th, and his trial is scheduled for May 2027.
Gilbert had shared some thoughts about Netflix’s new Little House series before it premiered. When speaking to PEOPLE in February 2025, she said:
“I think everyone has a right to tell any story they want to in any way they want to and I think there’s a great deal of room in the Little House universe for multiple stories and multiple points of view.”
At that time, Gilbert expressed her belief that Netflix’s series didn’t need to have the same “spirit” as the original. She shared her hopes for the new show, saying:
“I’m hoping, and from what I understand, is that the remake will hew closer to the books than we did. There’s a lot of information and beautiful stories to mine from the actual writings of Little House.”
Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie series has already been renewed for a second season. What did you think of the show?
