The Ingalls family will soon be making their way to Netflix, bringing Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s beloved frontier stories to a new generation with a reboot of Little House on the Prairie. With fresh new faces stepping into the roles of the beloved characters who have charmed readers and viewers for decades, the series aims to introduce the classic tale to a new audience while honoring the spirit of the original books.
In the new reboot, classic characters first introduced in the novels and later brought to life in the beloved 1970s television series are getting a fresh new interpretation for a new generation of viewers. This time, a bit closer to the book and the versions originally introduced by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
One of the characters receiving a new interpretation is Mr. Edwards, who was one of the Ingalls family’s earliest and most loyal friends. In the books, he was a rugged frontiersman with a generous heart that made him one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s most memorable supporting characters. In the original television series, he became a fan favorite, serving as a source of comedy, warmth, and, at times, heartbreaking drama. So, who is this Mr. Edwards in the rebooted series? Here is everything we know.
Who is Mr. Edwards in the book series?
Originally introduced in The Little House on the Prairie novel, Mr. Edwards is described by Laura Ingalls Wilder as “the wildcat from Tennessee,” a colorful frontiersman known for his larger-than-life personality, booming laugh, and generous heart. He quickly becomes one of the Ingalls family’s most trusted friends and memorable companions.
He appears in the books:
- Little House on the Prairie: Mr. Edwards helps Charles build the family’s log cabin and crosses the swollen creek to bring Laura and Mary their Christmas gifts.
- By the Shores of Silver Lake: Mr. Edwards briefly reappears to help Charles file his land claim during a settlement rush.
- The Long Winter: He gives a $20 bill to a now-blind Mary.
It is unknown whether Mr. Edwards is entirely fictional or based on a real person, or is perhaps a composite of several frontiersmen Laura Ingalls Wilder encountered during her childhood.
Who is Mr. Edwards in the original Little House on the Prairie?
In the original series, Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) meets Mr. Isaiah Edwards (played by Victor French) on the open prairie in Kansas in the pilot episode. Edwards lives nearby as a down-and-out bachelor, and he helps Charles build the Ingalls family’s first cabin before eventually moving to Walnut Grove.
Everett Collection
He develops a close relationship with Laura, and despite his rough-and-tumble demeanor, he eventually becomes like a member of the Ingalls family.
Throughout the series, Edwards struggles with alcoholism following the tragic deaths of his wife and daughter. Charles helps him through his darkest period and encourages him to return to Walnut Grove, where he finds a renewed sense of community and family.
He eventually marries Grace Snider (Bonnie Bartlett) and adopts her three children.
Mr. Edwards is often a source of comic relief, frequently putting the self-righteous Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) and her spoiled daughter, Nellie (Alison Arngrim), in their place whenever he has the chance.
French portrays Mr. Edwards in about 50 episodes of the series, as well as three television movies.
Eric Zachanowich/Netflix
Who is Mr. Edwards in the new Netflix reboot?
Warren Christie takes on the role of John Edwards in Netflix’s new reboot of Little House on the Prairie. This time around, Mr. Edwards is a Civil War veteran from Tennessee who is both mysterious and foreboding. Before he befriends Charles (Luke Bracey) or Laura (Alice Halsey), he had a lot of healing to do.
According to creator Rebecca Sonnenshine, he has lost a great deal before audiences meet him and is in a dark place, struggling to find meaning in his life. “He’s surviving, not thriving,” she says. But forging connections with Laura, Mary, Charles, and eventually Caroline “gives him a reason to keep going.”
“You’re talking about a man who’s been through a lot of trauma,” Christie explains. “He’s at least looking for some semblance of hope in the world.”
This version is fully consistent in the literary present, which is the convention most entertainment and book coverage follows.
Little House on the Prairie,Season 1, July 9, Netflix