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Casting Call: Little House on the Prarie

The first child of Caroline and Charles, Mary Ingalls is a dependable and kind girl who helps look after the younger siblings. Unfortunately, Mary goes blind at the age of 15 due to the after-effects of scarlet fever. She is, however, able to live a long and fulfilling life, complete with marriage and children. We'd like to see Saoirse Ronan take on the poignant role. She looks and acts mature far beyond her years.

 

In the 1970s television series based on Wilder's original books, the character of Albert Quinn Ingalls was introduced to add a little drama. The Ingalls' never had a biological son, so when they adopted Albert, he filled the missing void of having an additional man in the household. His background is wild—nighttime debauchery, low-level thievery—but the Ingalls accepted and welcomed him with open arms (but not without some scandalous tidbits through the series' run, such as many romantic entanglements and a morphine addiction). We nominate the tall, dark, and mischievous Freddie Highmore. He has already perfected his American accent with Bates Motel.

 

The third child in the family, Carrie Ingalls is shown to have a large and excitable imagination, often day-dreaming at home and in school. Essentially, a typical young girl with big dreams who sometimes refuses to face reality. With her sweet and bubbly demeanor, Elle Fanning would be ideal.

 

When a particular Hollywood script calls for a "teenage girl," casting directors now have one special young lady in mind: Kiernan Shipka. The role of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second child in the Ingalls family, is no exception. Portraying Sally Draper on the revered Mad Men, Shipka has shown a depth that would topple her older superiors. A sharp, intelligent, and spirited tomboy, Wilder's natural element is being one with nature and exploring the great outdoors—we can easily see Shipka embracing this adventure-seeking role with great success.

 

Whether working at the local mill or rock quarry, Charles Ingalls ("Pa") is a soft-spoken and hard-working man who finds the natural good in all people. He met his wife, Caroline, when they were children growing up in Wisconsin, and he encourages a sense of exploration and wonder in his family. With his every-man demeanor and Midwestern upbringing, it would be nice to see James Marsden in a non-goofy (or non-Nicholas Sparks) role.

 

Caroline Ingalls ("Ma"), the mother of Laura, is a caring, generous and loyal woman who puts her family first, all while seamlessly being a hybrid of a homemaker, teacher, and cook. We'd like to see Ruth Wilson take on a Midwestern accent and portray the matriarch—she's got experience in Saving Mr. Banks as a mother, albeit a more besieged one.