Netflix's ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Will Please Fans of the Classic, Warren Christie Says

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As Netflix prepares to launch its own version of Little House on the Prairie, one of its actors has a simple message for skeptical fans: Give it a chance.

The first season of Netflix's reimagined Little House on the Prairie debuts July 9, following the lives of Charles, Caroline, Laura, Mary, and Carrie Ingalls as they build a life on the American frontier in a series based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic Little House books.

Of course, many Americans were introduced to the Ingalls family through the hit 1970s television series starring Michael Landon. Although Netflix's adaptation maintains the family-friendly focus that made the franchise a hit, it more closely follows Wilder’s original books.

Warren Christie, who portrays John Edwards in the new series, said he understands why many Americans are skeptical, given what they see as Hollywood's tendency to “ruin” beloved classics. But Christie – best known for his role in Hallmark films – says the Netflix series maintains the charm, heart, and family appeal of the 1970s series.

“I understand [the concern], because truthfully, it does happen sometimes,” he told Crosswalk Headlines, referencing remakes of classic stories that have disappointed fans.

“We're based on the books – so if you're a fan of the books, I think you're going to be a fan of the show.”

The series’ “ace in the hole” is showrunner and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine, a “passionate” fan of the books who “also happens to be brilliant and knows how to make great television,” Christie said. He also credited executive producer Joy Gorman Wettels and another executive producer, Trip Friendly of Friendly Family Productions, which owns the rights to the 1970s TV series. The filmmakers behind the project are “very passionate” about the original story, Christie said.

“It wasn't done kind of willy-nilly,” he said.

Five decades have passed since the Michael Landon series aired from 1974 to 1983.

“We're trying to introduce a new generation,” he said.

“For the purists that loved the original, I think if you give it a chance, you're going to really love it. I think it's sweeping, I think it's beautiful, I think it's stunning, and I think more importantly, the themes that you loved – whether it be with the books or the original show about community and hope, strength in the human spirit, people coming together, all that different stuff, they're absolutely core to this.”

Christie believes the series offers something increasingly rare in today's entertainment landscape: a television series the whole family can watch together. Season 2 is already in production.

“I have a kid, and so I know what it's like,” he said. “We're either watching a show with our kids that we don't love, or else we're watching a show that maybe they can't see. But to be able to go a little bit old school and bring everybody around the same TV and share that moment and share that journey – I don't think there's enough of it, and I think we really hope that this hits in that way where people want to sit around together and share in that moment.”

Photo Credit: ©Netflix

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.