The new Netflix adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie" offers a nuanced portrayal of Charles and Caroline Ingalls, with actors Luke Bracey and Crosby Fitzgerald diving into the complexities of the iconic parental figures. Unlike simpler depictions, this series allows viewers to see Ma and Pa Ingalls as imperfect individuals, grappling with regrets and doubts.
Bracey, who plays Charles Ingalls, highlighted the appeal of portraying a character who, despite making mistakes, strives to be a good man, husband, and father. "Human beings aren't perfect," Bracey told Decider. "I mean, I do love that about Charles, is that he makes plenty of mistakes, but he wants to be a good man. He wants to be a good husband and he wants to be a father, a good member of the community, and I admire that in anyone."
Crosby Fitzgerald, who takes on the role of Caroline Ingalls, echoed this sentiment, finding joy in playing a character who is not merely a stock archetype. "To me, that’s what made it so fun and so nice to do," Fitzgerald said. "I like that Caroline is a human who’s flawed and complex. That’s the most fun type of character to play, not just like a stock character of a mother or a wife. She is those things, but sort of multitudinous within those things, and I think that’s what’s exciting to attack."
The series explores Caroline's internal struggles, including moments where she considers leaving her husband and returning to the safety of her family. Simultaneously, Charles is shown dealing with regrets over past family decisions.
Musical Interludes
A significant element carried over from Laura Ingalls Wilder's books is the family's love for music. Pa Ingalls' fiddle is frequently featured, accompanied by Ma, Mary, and Laura singing along. These musical scenes served as the primary form of entertainment for the family.
"This is all they had," Bracey explained. "This was their entertainment. They loved singing as a family. They loved the music." Fitzgerald added, "Yeah, this was their TV at the end of the day."
The actors also noted the natural musicality of the young actresses playing Laura and Mary, Alice Halsey and Skywalker Hughes, whose singing is a prominent part of these scenes.
Bracey, however, admitted that his fiddle-playing is an illusion. "I'm going to lead you on a little secret here," he confessed. "I still don’t know how to fiddle." He focused on making his bow strokes appear authentic to maintain the illusion during filming.
Both Bracey and Fitzgerald expressed their privilege in participating in this new interpretation of the beloved story, emphasizing the value of portraying relatable, human characters facing challenges. "Look, to play someone nice in a show that is nice, but that doesn’t shy away from inconvenience, and mistakes, and problems — that’s a real privilege," Bracey said.
"Little House on the Prairie" Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.