In 1932, Laura Ingalls Wilder published a series of books about her childhood called Little House on the Prairie. The series documented her life in the midwest and the life of her parents and siblings. The books were an instant success and are still published regularly to this day. The success of the novels sparked interest in Hollywood and NBC decided to option the book for a series. The network asked actor Michael Landon to direct the pilot and he agreed on the condition that he would also star as Charles Ingalls. He adored the books and jumped at the opportunity to embody the beloved patriarch of the family. NBC agreed and they went into production in 1974.
The story follows the Ingalls family after they move to Walnut Grove, Minnesota. We watch how Laura and her siblings grow up and mature and how they manage the drama with the townspeople on the prairie. The coming-of-age series touched upon heavy topics including alcoholism and abuse and was one of the only primetime shows addressing these very difficult issues at the time. TV critics still regard the Little House on the Prairie as a series that paved the way for these sort of discussions on television. At the time no other series was really doing this. Little House didn’t shy away and viewers loved it.
The series was an instant success and spawned nine seasons and three television movies. It was nominated for several Emmys and put stars such as Melissa Gilbert and Jason Bateman on the map. It continues to run in syndication on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. and at various stations in other territories around the world. A handful of the original cast continue to appear at Q&As and other events honoring the series. It still has a active fanbase who are so eager to catch a glimpse of the stars who played their beloved characters they grew up with.
It was recently announced the Paramount bought the rights to the best-selling children’s series and will adapt it into a major motion picture. The adaptation will be directed by Martha Marcy May Marlene director Sean Durkin with a script by The Iron Lady screenwriter Abi Morgan. Fans are eager to to check out the film when its released in 2020 but until then we have your look at all the characters from Little House on the Prairie that we all remember and love so dearly.
[post_page_title]James Cooper Ingalls (Jason Bateman)[/post_page_title]
While his sister Cassandra had an easier time adjusting to her new life with their new adoptive family, the Ingalls, brother James didn’t have as easy of a time. Eventually they were adopted by Mr. Cooper, much to James and Cassandra’s dismay, and were taken to his home in Minneapolis. He later realized his mistake and he returned the children to the Ingalls. James was shot after walking into a bank during a robbery but was miraculously cured.
