Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reboot Focuses on Osage Family, Creator Responds to ‘Woke’ Criticism
8 reported
Rebecca Sonnenshine, creator of the new Netflix adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie," says she is sticking with her vision for the series despite criticism that it may be "woke." The show, which premieres July 9, centers on the Ingalls family but introduces a mixed-race Osage family called the Mitchells. Sonnenshine, a lifelong fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, pitched the streamer and producers for the job and landed it in part because of her genre writing background. The series has already been renewed for a second season, now in production. Criticism first emerged in January 2025 when Megyn Kelly posted on X that she would "ruin" the project if Netflix "woke-ified" the story. Original series star Melissa Gilbert responded on Threads, arguing the original show already tackled topics like racism, addiction, and antisemitism. Sonnenshine said she is unsure what "woke" means to critics but believes audiences will enjoy the show's exploration of Native American stories and its balance of dark survival themes with wholesome, DIY aesthetics.
What’s reported
Rebecca Sonnenshine, creator of "Archive 81" and writer for "The Boys," created the Netflix adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie."
The show premieres July 9 and has already been renewed for a second season, now in production.
The series introduces a mixed-race Osage family, the Mitchells, alongside the Ingalls family.
Sonnenshine worked with story consultant Robert Warrior on the Osage portrayal.
In January 2025, Megyn Kelly posted on X: "Netflix, if you woke-ify 'Little House on the Prairie' I will make it my singular mission to absolutely ruin your project."
Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls in the original series, responded on Threads, saying the original show tackled "racism, addiction, nativism, antisemitism, misogyny, rape, spousal abuse and every other 'woke' topic."
Sonnenshine said she is "not even sure what 'woke' means to people anymore" and described it as "a catch-all word for things that I don't quite understand."
Sonnenshine described herself as "super crafty" and "a non-tradwife," saying DIY skills like knitting and baking should not be "cornered by tradwives."
Key figures
Rebecca Sonnenshine: Creator and writer of the Netflix "Little House on the Prairie" adaptation
Megyn Kelly: Criticized the reboot on X in January 2025
Melissa Gilbert: Original "Little House" star who defended the original show's handling of social issues
Alice Halsey: Plays young Laura Ingalls
Luke Bracey: Plays Charles Ingalls
Crosby Fitzgerald: Plays Caroline Ingalls
Skywalker Hughes: Plays Mary Ingalls
Meegwun Fairbrother: Plays William Mitchell
Alyssa Wapanatâhk: Plays White Sun Mitchell
Wren Zhawenim Gotts: Plays Good Eagle Mitchell
Robert Warrior: Story consultant on the Osage portrayal
Sources: Variety
