Little House Reboot: Showrunner Defends 'Woke' Choices

The showrunner of the Netflix adaptation of 'Little House on the Prairie,' Rebecca Sonnenshine, is addressing conservative criticism regarding the show's direction. Sonnenshine has stated that the term "woke" has been misused, defining it as an awareness of social justice and inequality, which she considers positive traits. She highlighted the portrayal of Dr. George Tan, a Black doctor, as historically accurate, noting that such an egalitarian dynamic existed in 1870s Kansas. The adaptation also expands the narrative of the Osage people, a departure from the original books and series. Sonnenshine aims to reckon with problematic elements in the books while telling a compelling story about change and adaptability. The series will relocate to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, for its second season, a move Sonnenshine sees as reflecting the nomadic nature of the Ingalls' life as depicted in the books. Production for Season 2 is underway, with the goal of annual releases, and Sonnenshine hopes to adapt all the books and explore beyond them. Iconic characters are being reexamined with added complexity, and the show seeks to remain faithful to historical truth while keeping characters alive.