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I'm far from the only person impressed with Taylor Sheridan's impact on Western TV. But after watching a new Netflix series, I can happily say that there's another show in the genre that deserves our attention. Season 1 premiered on July 9, 2026, and with eight episodes, you can watch it fast in a weekend or spread it out over an entire week.
Netflix'sLittle House on the Prairiereboot is a hit. At the time of this writing, it's #2 on Flix Patrol. Varietyreported that, in the four days following the show's arrival on the streaming service on July 9, it had 6.4 million views. So, I'm definitely not the only one who is enjoying it. I looked forward to Netflix's reboot, and there are many reasons why it's compelling.
Netflix's 'Little House on the Prairie' Reboot Is Worth Watching
Whether you loved the original series, watch every Taylor Sheridan show, or enjoy the Western genre (or perhaps all three), I can highly recommend Netflix's Little House on the Prairie reboot. The series follows Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald) and Charles Ingalls (Luke Bracey), who move their daughters Mary (Skywalker Hughes) and Laura (Alice Halsey) from Minnesota to Kansas. Right away, it's a story about huge dreams, huge land, and hope.
Sure, it's a little corny at times, but the Netflix series has some unpredictable moments and heavy scenes, too. From Caroline's tragic family past to the struggles of the Ingalls' new friend John Edwards (Warren Christie), the series moves between the warmth and connection of the Ingalls' bond and the harsher times they now face. I was struck by two moments early on in the series. The first: when Charles/Pa tells Laura, "Hope is everything." The second: when Mary and Laura go through an exciting maze of prairie grass, get lost, and lean on each other to stay safe. Can any of us really argue that, no matter our situation — and even if it sounds cheesy — we can't let go of hope?
However, it's the focus on the Osage community that is the most important part of the Little House on the Prairie reboot. Alyssa Wapanatâhk gives a standout performance as White Sun, an Osage woman who is a crucial character. Mary Holland is also perfect as Jemma James, who welcomes Caroline into her social circle. Jemma and Caroline's interactions make you think about the relatable experience of moving to a new place and attempting to make friends, fit in, and feel like you made the right decision. That's hard, whether you're in an urban environment in 2026 with Netflix and Uber Eats or camping while your husband builds a house from scratch.
Little House on the Prairieexplores serious themes like family, love, trauma, and the experiences of Native Americans. For every sweet moment between Laura and Mary, there's a heartbreaking scene that serves as a painful reminder of the reality of settlements on Native American land. Netflix's reboot leans more heavily into this element than the original series, which is a welcome and significant change. Of course, Taylor Sheridan's Western TV shows like Yellowstone and Dutton Ranch Season 1, which just ended, explore land conflicts, and that's something that the 2026 Netflix show does particularly well. Several scenes explore the cruelty of land ownership, especially early on when Mr. Edwards says, "There's nothing free about this land at all."
Many grew up reading these books and watching the TV adaptation. When you're a kid, there's something so thrilling about pretending to be someone else or pretending that you live in another time. I watched the original series and wondered what it would be like to be Laura, kind of like how I enjoyed playing the '90s computer game The Yukon Trail. (Anyone else?) However, Little House on the Prairie, which Netflix already renewed for a second season, talks about the Osage community more respectfully.
Several decades after the original's premiere in 1974, it's good to see that a story can be revisited and told even more powerfully.
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