United States: Original 'Little House' stars pursue new paths
PUBLISHED Jul 26, 2026, 3:13 PM ET
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A new adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie," which began streaming on Netflix earlier this month, is drawing renewed attention to the original 1974 television series and its cast, including Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon. Gilbert, who started playing Laura Ingalls at age 9 and narrated the series, remained on the show for all nine seasons until it ended in 1983. She subsequently appeared in numerous television movies, reprised her role in several "Little House" specials, and voiced Barbara Gordon in "Batman: The Animated Series." Gilbert also acted in various series and recently said on Instagram she will not return to Hallmark’s "When Calls the Heart," citing budget issues.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 1974 Melissa Gilbert begins playing Laura Ingalls
- 1974–1983 Gilbert stars through nine seasons
- 1980s Gilbert appears in multiple television movies
- 1992–1994 Voices Barbara Gordon on Batman
- 2013 Marries actor and director Timothy Busfield
- Earlier this month Netflix streams new adaptation
- Recently Announces exit from When Calls Heart
- Recently Cites budget issues for series departure
News Intelligence
- Melissa Gilbert's career journey is a reminder of the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. Her recent departure from "When Calls the Heart" due to budget issues shows that even successful actors face challenges. If you're a fan, it might be time to revisit the original "Little House" series on Netflix.
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