“Little House on the Prairie” fans are dreaming big — and their dream actress for the Netflix reboot is none other than Jennifer Garner.
The buzz began when the official Instagram page for Little House on the Prairie announced an open casting call for the role of young Laura Ingalls, famously played by Melissa Gilbert in the beloved original series. “Do you know an amazing child who could play the role of Laura Ingalls in this epic and thrilling family adventure?” the post asked.
To the delight of fans, Jennifer Garner herself responded with a playful emoji — a person raising their hand. That simple gesture set off a flood of excited comments urging Garner to join the project.
“YES PLEASE,” one fan gushed.
“Honestly, @jennifer.garner… you’d be PERFECT!!! You actually would be the perfect Laura!” another raved.
“How can we help you make this happen because this would be a BIG yes!!” wrote another eager supporter.
While Garner, known for her wholesome roles in 13 Going on 30 and Miracles from Heaven, is no longer the right age to play Laura, many fans quickly pivoted to another idea: casting her as Ma Ingalls, the beloved matriarch originally portrayed by Karen Grassle.
“Jennifer as Ma Ingalls would be a dream come true,” one person commented. “She has the perfect warmth and strength for the role.”
The new Little House adaptation is shaping up to be quite different from the 1970s classic. Alison Arngrim, who played the iconic Nellie Oleson, shared in a February interview with Fox News Digital that the creators are intentionally going back to the roots of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books.
“They’re going back to the books. They’re going back to the beginning,” Arngrim explained. “They’re still hiring directors and everything. It’s still very, very early, but they’re looking into the first books when Laura is a very tiny girl. They’re going back to their roots.”
Arngrim was clear that the new series will not be a simple remake. “Even the people making it have said, ‘Oh God, don’t call it a reboot.’ They’re not trying to remake the ‘70s show,” she said. “Michael Landon did it, he achieved it and, boom, it’s good. We’re leaving that alone.”
While no original cast members are expected to make cameo appearances, fans are holding onto hope that new beloved stars — like Jennifer Garner — might step into the world of Walnut Grove.
Garner, a vocal Christian and advocate for family-friendly entertainment, would seem a natural fit for a story so rich in faith, perseverance, and heart. Whether she ends up donning Ma Ingalls’ apron remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: fans are ready to welcome her home.