Alice Halsey, the New Laura Ingalls, Reveals How She Reacted to Meeting Melissa Gilbert

Alice Halsey, 11, is taking on the role of Laura Ingalls for the upcoming Netflix series, The Little House on the Prairie, adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s book series.

In a June 2026 interview with Entertainment Tonight, alongside her Little House on the Prairie castmates, Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald, and Skywalker Hughes, Halsey shared that she met actress Melissa Gilbert, now 62, who played Laura in the NBC Little House on the Prairie television series, which had a nine-season run until 1984.

Halsey told the publication that she was delighted to meet Gilbert. According to Halsey, she “ran up to her” and “gave her a big hug” when Gilbert visited the set of the new Little House on the Prairie show, which premieres on July 9.

Hughes, who is playing Laura’s sister, Mary, also described Gilbert as being “so amazing and so supportive” towards the new show’s cast.

“I think she’s really just excited that the fact that another little girl gets the experience of being Laura and gets to have such an amazing time. And I know she was so proud of her,” said the 14-year-old actress, before telling Halsey she’s also proud of her.

Alice Halsey Discussed Her Instant Bond With Her On-Screen Sister

In a June 2026 interview with Comic Book Resources, alongside Bracey and Fitzgerald, Halsey shared she felt an instant bond with Hughes. According to Halsey, she immediately felt that Hughes was perfect for the role of Mary.

“We just, kind of, we clicked. It was, like, I saw Skywalker and I was like, ‘Okay, that’s her. There you go,'” said Halsey during the interview.

Fitzgerald then shared that Halsey and Hughes’ friendship made it easier for her and Bracey to play their parents, Caroline and Charles Ingalls.

“It was pretty instantaneous for them, and they made it so comfortable for us. Meeting us, they kind of like ran into our arms, first time having met both of us. And they made the vibes like really, really nice,” said Fitzgerald.