The search is on for an actress to play Laura Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie reboot, and fans are throwing Jennifer Garner’s name into the mix on social media.
The chatter first began on March 21 when the Little House on the Prairie Instagram page shared information about a casting call.
“In case you missed it… @netflix announced a new adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic Little House books! And now we’re excited to share that 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐧!” the caption of the post said. “Do you know an amazing child who could play the role of Laura Ingalls in this epic and thrilling family adventure?”
A link with more information was provided, and submissions are due by April 4.
Jennifer, 52, commented on the post, simply leaving an emoji with a person raising their hand. Many Instagram users reacted to the comment, with one person writing, “omg YES!!” with another saying “How can we help you make this happen because this would be a BIG yes!!”
Another person said “Yes! You’d be so good in that.”
“Ma Ingalls?! Please!!” one person said, while another one said, “MA!!!”
Another wrote, “That’d be great … and I know the perfect daughters for you. Amazing young actresses and besties in life too.”
“YES PLEASE,” another commenter said, while several others echoed the same thing.
Netflix first confirmed news that a Little House on the Prairie reboot was in the works in January, as Tudum revealed “a new generation will have its own version with Netflix’s reimagining of the treasured novels.”
“I fell deeply in love with these books when I was 5 years old,” Rebecca Sonnenshine, showrunner and executive producer, said in a statement. “They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new audience.”
An official premiere date for the upcoming reboot has not yet been announced.
“Little House on the Prairie has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many fans around the world, and we’re excited to share its enduring themes of hope and optimism with a fresh take on this iconic story,” Jinny Howe, Vice President, Drama Series, Netflix, said. “Rebecca’s vision threads the needle with an emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.”
Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson in the original series, which ran from 1974 to 1983, said that she was interested in returning to the reboot.
“I’m just the right age to play Mrs. Oleson,” the actress told Closer in February. “I’m totally there. I have no shame.”
She also reflected on why the historical drama is still so popular today.
“We’ve all been asking ourselves this,” Alison, 63, said. “I’ve had people tell me that the problems the Ingalls have are the problems of the world. They live in a tiny house with a bunch of kids and no money. It’s a show that generation after generation can identify with.”
