Dean Butler, best known for portraying Almanzo Wilder on the original Little House on the Prairie television series, has shared his honest reaction to Netflix’s new adaptation of the beloved story — and his comments have been overwhelmingly positive. The actor, who became part of the classic series during its sixth season and remained connected to the franchise’s legacy, praised the new production for its emotional connection to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original books, its talented cast, and its beautiful presentation.

The original Little House on the Prairie series, which aired from 1974 to 1983, became one of television’s most cherished family dramas. The show followed the Ingalls family as they navigated life on the American frontier, with Michael Landon starring as Charles “Pa” Ingalls, Karen Grassle as Caroline “Ma” Ingalls, Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls, and Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls. Dean Butler later joined the cast as Almanzo Wilder, the man who would eventually marry Laura’s character in the story.

Decades after the original series captured audiences worldwide, Netflix introduced a new version of Little House on the Prairie. However, the new adaptation is not designed as a direct remake of the 1970s television show. Instead, it aims to follow Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original book series more closely, focusing on the Ingalls family’s journey as they leave Wisconsin and establish a homestead near Independence, Kansas.

Butler recently opened up about the new series in a video shared on Instagram, giving fans insight into his feelings about the latest interpretation of the story. In the post, he highlighted one particular element that stood out to him: the role of music and family singing throughout the new adaptation.

“My first thoughts on the new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie! This new Ingalls family really can sing! Now streaming on Netflix. Go check it out!” Butler wrote while introducing his thoughts on the show.

While speaking directly to viewers, Butler acknowledged that the series has received a strong response from audiences and explained why he believes the production captures an important part of the original books. He said that one of the things he appreciates most about the Netflix version is the inclusion of musical moments between family members.

“There has been a lot of strong response to the program,” Butler said. He explained that the family singing featured in the new series is something he believes would have been a wonderful addition to the original television show.

“Something that I love about the program that I think would have been really fun in the original — which we did not do — is the family singing,” he shared.

According to Butler, the new writers incorporated songs that were present in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, including moments where Pa Ingalls played his fiddle and the family joined together in song. He praised how naturally these scenes fit into the story and noted that the performances were done beautifully.

For Butler, the music represents more than just an entertaining feature. He believes it reflects the true spirit of Wilder’s writing. The original books included many scenes of family gatherings, music, and shared moments that showed the warmth and closeness of frontier life. By bringing those elements into the adaptation, Netflix’s version appears to capture a side of the Ingalls family that was not explored as deeply in the earlier television series.

“This really is the spirit of Laura’s books,” Butler explained. “She wrote it that way; there was a lot of that in the books.”

Beyond the music, Butler also complimented many other aspects of the production. He described the new cast as appealing and praised the quality of the filming, noting that the visuals and overall presentation are impressive.

“This is a very appealing cast, the show is beautifully produced, pictures are gorgeous,” Butler said. “There is a lot of good stuff going on here.”

The actor also encouraged fans to pay close attention to the soundtrack, emphasizing that the musical elements are among the strongest parts of the series. “But check out the music,” he added. “Love the music.”

Although Butler admitted that he had only watched through the fourth episode at the time of his comments, he still encouraged viewers to experience the adaptation for themselves. His early reaction suggests that the Netflix series has successfully honored the foundation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s work while offering a fresh perspective for modern audiences.

Butler’s positive response carries special meaning because of his personal connection to the franchise. As someone who was part of the original Little House on the Prairie cast, his perspective offers a unique viewpoint on how the new version compares with the beloved classic. Rather than simply recreating the past, the Netflix adaptation appears to be embracing the heart of the original stories while exploring details that were not fully represented in the earlier television version.

With its focus on family, resilience, music, and the challenges of building a new life on the frontier, the new Little House on the Prairie series is continuing a legacy that has lasted for generations. Dean Butler’s enthusiastic reaction suggests that the adaptation has captured the qualities that made Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories timeless while bringing something new and meaningful to longtime fans and new viewers alike.