Netflix Is Rebooting a Classic Western TV Series With ‘The Boys’ Writer

From Vought Industries to the prairie? The writer and producer on Amazon Prime’s hit supehero satire show The Boys, Rebecca Sonnenshine, is officially bringing fans back to a certain small house on the prairie. With the massively popular superhero series coming to a close, Sonnenshine has set her sights on her next exciting project. Known for her work on Vampire Diaries and Archive 81, the writer is resurrecting an old favorite, family-friendly TV Western for Netflix: Little House on the Prairie .

According to Variety, Netflix recently greenlit a modern reboot of the American classic book series, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie, which was a hit NBC show in the 70s, starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Wanting to adapt the books more closely as a long-time fan of Wilder’s work, Sonnenshine will act as showrunner and executive producer of the new Western series. Sonnenshine told the outlet how she hopes to honor both fans of the books and of the TV show.

“I fell deeply in love with these books when I was five years old. They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new global audience with Netflix.”

This Could Be the Perfect Time for a Family-Friendly Western Close

With more than 73 million copies of the beloved books being sold to date and over 200 episodes of the original NBC series, the new take on the classic is bound to draw a crowd. The original series was even one of the most streamed shows of 2024, according to Variety. Other executive producers include Joy Gorman Wettels of Joy Coalition and Trip Friendly of Friendly Family Productions, son of the original series’ executive producer Ed Friendly, as well as Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel. The new series’ logline reads:

“Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical ‘Little House’ books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.”

Netflix has had recent success in the Westerns department with the hit miniseries American Primeval, starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, and with the impressive streaming numbers for Little House on the Prairie the re-adaptation is surely a no-brainer. Also based off of real life stories, Little House on the Prairie will strive to corner a market that has been dry since the original series ended in 1983. Audiences have plenty of hard-hitting, Western thrillers and dramas, but not many family-friendly Westerns.

Related Little House on the Prairie Cast, 50 Years Later: Where They Are Today

Little House on the Prairie debuted in 1974, and with multiple children in the cast, it’s interesting to see where they all are now, 50 years later.

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While most of Netflix’s Westerns are not for kids, their next project certainly will be. Jinny Howe, the vice president of drama series for Netflix, told the outlet about their excitement to fill this gap for Western-lovers.

“‘Little House on the Prairie’ has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many fans around the world, and we’re excited to share its enduring themes of hope and optimism with a fresh take on this iconic story. Rebecca’s vision threads the needle with an emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.”

With another Western drama titled The Abdandons in the works, Netlfix is staking their claim in the Western show market. Fans of Wilder’s books based off of her childhood on the prairie will no doubt be excited to have a caring showrunner with a love for the source material spearheading the reboot of the American classic. Going from superheros beating the hell out of each other to a family making a life out on the prairie, Sonnenshine has her work cut out for her.

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Little House on the Prairie TV-PG WesternDramaFamily Release Date 1974 – 1982 Cast Melissa Gilbert Dean Butler Karen Grassle

Creator(s) Ed Friendly, Laura Ingalls Wilder Powered by Expand Collapse