Netflix has released its eight-part reboot of Little House on the Prairie, sparking renewed interest in the original 1970s series and its cast. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's novels, the original show aired from 1974 to 1983, chronicling the Ingalls family's frontier life. Here is an update on the main cast members.
Charles Ingalls – Michael Landon
Michael Landon portrayed Charles 'Pa' Ingalls and was also a key writer and director. He was known for Bonanza and Highway to Heaven. After the series, he appeared in the TV movie Where Pigeons Go to Die and planned to work on the CBS series Us. However, Landon died from pancreatic cancer in 1991 at age 54. He was married three times, with his third wife Cindy Clerico working as a makeup artist on the show. Landon had nine children, including Yellowstone star Jennifer Landon and director Christopher Landon.
Caroline Ingalls – Karen Grassle
Karen Grassle played Caroline 'Ma' Ingalls. After the series, she focused on theatre. Her later roles include Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner, Lasso, and Not to Forget. She appeared in a documentary marking the show's 50th anniversary in 2025.
Laura Ingalls Wilder – Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert played Laura from age 10 to 19. She earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1981 and appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank and Splendor in the Grass. She competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2012 and recently appeared in When Calls the Heart. Gilbert responded to Megyn Kelly's criticism of the Netflix reboot on Threads, saying the original tackled topics like racism, addiction, and misogyny, adding, "TV doesn't get too much more 'woke' than we did."
Mary Ingalls Kendall – Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa Sue Anderson played Mary. Her credits include Murder, She Wrote, The Equalizer, and X-Men: The Animated Series. More recently, she appeared in The Con is On and Veronica Mars.
Carrie Ingalls – Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush
Identical twins Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush shared the role of Carrie. After the series, they left acting. Sidney married horse breeder William 'Rocky' Foster, and Rachel married Danny Sanchez, whom she met on set, in 2014.
Almanzo Wilder – Dean Butler
Dean Butler played Laura's love interest. He continued acting, with roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Hank Summers and appeared in the Prime Video documentary Little House Homecoming.
Harriet Oleson – Katherine MacGregor
Katherine MacGregor played Harriet and focused on stage work. Little House on the Prairie was her final screen credit. She died in 2018 at age 93.
Isaiah Edwards – Victor French
Victor French played Isaiah and later starred with Landon in Highway to Heaven. He died from lung cancer in 1989 at age 54.
Nels Oleson – Richard Bull
Richard Bull played Nels. He appeared in The Thomas Crown Affair and ER. He died from pneumonia in 2014 at age 89.
The 2026 Little House on the Prairie reboot is streaming on Netflix now.
