Alice Halsey Leads Netflix's New 'Little House on the Prairie' as Laura Ingalls

Alice Halsey is starring as Laura Ingalls in Netflix's new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie, which premiered on July 9. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 11-year-old actress is at the top of the call sheet for the series.

What does the young star say about the role?

Halsey described seeing herself on billboards as "insane." "It's mind-blowing," she told THR. She prepared for the part by reading the original books and studying the late 19th-century era. "I just wanted to get a sense of who the character was, how I would play her," Halsey said. She found the prairie setting both magical and unpredictable, recalling a chaotic Chinook wind that blew through during filming.

Where did she get her acting experience?

Halsey's first professional gig was on Lessons in Chemistry, but she says her most formative experience was on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. "It was a great learning experience," Halsey said. "Having a schedule that’s so fast-paced — you would shoot a couple episodes in one day — was very new to me. It kind of whipped me into shape." She credits the veteran actors on the show with teaching her how to work efficiently.

Halsey acknowledged the weight of leading a beloved story. "It’s definitely a big responsibility," she said, but noted the supportive set environment helped. She is next set to appear in Amazon MGM's Ally Clark alongside Viola Davis.