Dr. Tann: A Forgotten Hero on the Prairie

Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" adaptation, premiering July 9, will significantly expand the story of Dr. George Tann, a Black physician. Wilder's original books and subsequent adaptations only briefly featured Dr. Tann, who treated her family for malaria around 1870 in Kansas. The new series elevates him to a central character for its entire first season.

Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine describes Dr. Tann as a "connector of different communities and different economic strata." The series delves into his journey after the Civil War, showing him as an eclectic physician who treated settlers of all races, including Native American tribes.

Historical records suggest Tann, born to a free family, used the Homestead Act to move to Kansas in 1869. His practice involved herbal remedies and physical therapy, and he treated locals from his home and businesses, sometimes establishing hospitals.

The showrunners utilized historical accounts and even an out-of-print book on Dr. Tann to build his character. They also drew inspiration from World War I and II memoirs due to a lack of contemporary documentation. Census records helped flesh out Tann and other Black characters in the show.

Actor Jocko Sims, portraying Dr. Tann, researched Frederick Douglass's autobiography to understand the post-Civil War mindset. The costume and props departments meticulously recreated period-accurate medical tools, clothing, and an illustrated book on frontier medicine to ensure authenticity.

Sonnenshine aims to portray Dr. Tann as a figure embodying community and reinvention, reflecting the diverse reality of Kansas after the Civil War. This expanded role is intended to offer a more complete picture of American history and challenge the notion of the West as a solely white space.

Sims, who has a history of playing doctors, feels a profound connection to this role, seeing it as an opportunity to highlight the importance of Black doctors. He supports initiatives like MoreBlackDoctors.org, noting that Black physicians remain underrepresented in the U.S.

The adaptation seeks to honor Laura Ingalls Wilder's original depiction of Dr. Tann while addressing problematic elements in the books concerning Black and Indigenous people. Sonnenshine emphasizes Wilder's humanist perspective and openness, aiming to translate that spirit into the series.