Alison Arngrim appears unrecognizable in Netflix's Little House reboot

Original “Little House on the Prairie” star Alison Arngrim made a surprise cameo in Netflix’s 2024 reboot of the series. Rather than reprise her iconic role as Nellie Oleson, she portrays Ida, a disheveled forest drifter who confronts the Ingalls sisters in episode two. Makeup artists gave her “rotting” teeth, filthy nails and dirty skin to convey a hard life in the 1800s.

The reboot premiered on July 9, dropping all eight episodes at once and featuring a new cast that follows Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books more closely. Fans reacted enthusiastically on social media, noting how unrecognizable Arngrim looked and expressing excitement about the return of the classic franchise. Arngrim said she was contacted just weeks before filming began in Winnipeg, Canada, and felt the part was “right up her alley.” She also offered advice to the actress taking over the role of Nellie in season two.

The series is now streaming worldwide on Netflix, reviving a beloved American television legacy while introducing it to a new generation.