Longtime fans of Little House on the Prairie were excited to see one of the original breakout stars back on screen.
Streamer Netflix has just released its reboot of the classic family drama, Little House on the Prairie, and in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, a familiar face appeared.
In an exciting cameo, Alison Arngrim returned decades after her character, Nellie Oleson, became an unforgettable villain in the original production.
This time, she is playing an entirely new character – an eerie woman named Ida who lives in the woods and leads the Ingalls girls into potential danger.
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Arngrim, now 64 years old, described her new character as “basically a crazy lady in the woods. Sort of a forest drifter with drifter friends”.
She admitted the “creepy” role was “right up her alley” and was eager to get involved once more.
A new Nellie Oleson has been announced for Season 2 of the Netflix reboot and Arngrim had some crucial advice for the successor.
She said: “I’ve been waiting for the new Nellie for years. I absolutely went bonkers. My advice? Take it and run with it. Enjoy yourself.
“As far as I know, it’s the most fun part to play ever. There’s enormous fun to be had. Make friends with the other girls — become friends with [the people who play] your mortal enemies on the show.
“Don’t hold back; fraternize away. Become friends with all the other kids. It’ll serve you well.”
She played Nellie on the NBC series from 1974 to 1982, rising to fame as a child star.
She originally auditioned for Laura Ingalls, and later Mary Ingalls, but was instead cast in the antagonist role.
Arngrim would play her for seven seasons, with her portrayal becoming a cultural reference and archetype for the spoiled “bad girl” in the 70s.
Fans were delighted to spot her in the Netflix reboot and took to X to share their thoughts, with one saying: “Alison Arngrim is in the reboot of ‘Little House on the Prairie’. Cool. One of the best shows ever.”
Another said: “Omg. I just watched that scene in the Little House on the Prairie reboot and I kept thinking the creepy woman looked familiar… Way to go, Alison Arngrim aka Nellie Oleson!”
A third added: “What a thrill to see Alison (aka Nellie Oleson!) in the new version of Little House on the Prairie on @netflix, much darker than the original.”
Little House on the Prairie is on Netflix
