By JUDY SLOANE

Front Row Features

HOLLYWOOD-The popular TV series “Little House on the Prairie” premiered on NBC in 1974 and ran for nine years. Based on the popular books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, it told the saga of the Ingalls family and their trek across the west in the 1880s, facing prairie life and all the obstacles that entails.

The original cast included Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, Karen Grassle as his wife Caroline, Melissa Sue Anderson and Melissa Gilbert as their children Mary and Laura. The immediate success of the series launched both ‘Melissas’ to stardom – Anderson was 11- years-old at the time and Gilbert was 10 when the series started its run on September 11, 1974.

Now Netflix is reimagining the classic drama, which premieres on July 9, 2026. Luke Bracey plays Charles, Crosby Fitzgerald is Caroline, 11-year-old Alice Halsey portrays Laura, with 14-year-old Skywalker Hughes playing Mary.

The members of the TV Critics Association spoke with both young actresses about taking on such iconic roles.

Q: Had you read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books?

Skywalker Hughes: I grew up on a farm with little to no Internet, and connection outside of that. So, I grew up heavily on books, specifically Laura Ingalls. They’re amazing books. They were a huge part of my childhood, so this is an absolute dream come true.

Alice Halsey: I had the books in my house, but I hadn’t really read them. When I got the audition, I read the entire series. I just wanted to understand who Laura is. She really is a very complicated character, I think.

Q: Did you watch the TV series?

Alice Halsey: After we finished shooting season one, I watched a few episodes, and I adored it. I kept asking if I could watch more.

Skywalker Hughes: I’ve only seen a couple of episodes. I know it’s absolutely beloved and really amazing.

Q: At what age did you first have a chat with your parents about the name Skywalker and what are the origins in your case?

Skywalker Hughes: My whole life it was a bit of a running joke, grandfather really wanted a son and wanted to name Jay because his last name was Walker, and it’s really funny to name your son after jaywalking. But he didn’t get a son. He got two daughters and my amazing mother. So he decided that his first granddaughter’s name was gonna be Skywalker, and he convinced my father. My mom was like, “Okay, we’ll see what happens.” But I do really love my name, it’s amazing.

Q: It begs the question, are you a Star Wars fan?

Skywalker Hughes: I am a very big Star Wars fan.

Q: What was the audition process like for both of you?

Alice Halsey: I read the entire series of books. I just wanted to understand who my version of Laura would be? After the audition, I got a callback, which was fun because it was in-person which was unique. After that, I got a chemistry read, which was two hours long, and that’s where I met Skywalker and Crosby and Luke for the first time, which was obviously the best.

Then they told me that I got the part, and I cried. I was sobbing in the back seat of my car just because it’s been one of the best experiences of my entire life, and I just feel so privileged that I get to be a part of the Little House world.

Skywalker Hughes: When I first got the audition, sad to say, I didn’t read the very top of the email and didn’t quite realize it for Little House on the Prairie. And then when I was looking for the slate, I saw the title.  It [said,] “Skywalker Hughes audition for Little House on the Prairie.”

I started freaking out. I was like, don’t get too excited.  Keep your hopes in a realistic place. And then I got the callback and [the]chemistry reads.

All of the Lauras were so amazing, but the second I stepped in the room with Alice sparks flew. We became best friends in approximately two seconds.  We were singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”  It was so much fun.  Then in the meeting, they ask me if I wanted to be Mary.  I played it cool.  I was like, “Oh, that’s so amazing.  Thank you so much.”

Q: Alice, how did you like doing the narration? Did that give you a different opportunity to explore Laura than acting in the scenes?

Alice Halsey: I love playing Laura in general, whether it’s the voiceover or acting in scenes. Laura is an icon and is beloved over generations by so many people. She was a writer, a storyteller, an amazing woman. I’m really inspired by her. One of [the traits] that I especially admire is she always stands up for what she thinks is right, no matter the circumstances, even when she doesn’t really feel like it’s the time to.

Q: Has any of the original cast or the Landon family reached out to anybody there?

Skywalker Hughes: We did get to meet Melissa [Gilbert] on set one day and she was really supportive, which was nice.

Q: Skywalker,  you come from a large family, did having such a large family of your own help in the setting of this show?

Skywalker Hughes: Oh yeah, I have four amazing younger siblings that I love with my whole heart. I think that definitely aided me in my journey in finding who Mary is, ’cause she has an amazing little sister.

Alice Halsey: Aw.

Skywalker Hughes: Who I also love a lot. That definitely helped me on my journey to find Mary.

Q: If you were magically transported back into the late 1800s, what about modern life would you miss the most?

Alice Halsey: I would miss air conditioning a lot. From the experience of being on the prairie, it can get pretty hot.

Skywalker Hughes: I think I’d miss being able to talk to my friends,  ’cause I have friends in a billion different places. Some of my best friends are in New Zealand. They live all over, [so not to be able to talk] to the people that I love would be hard.

Alice Halsey: I would also miss In-N-Out.

Q: I thought you’d all say modern bathroom facilities.

Alice Halsey: I thought about saying that!