Alison Arngrim has made a surprise return to the world of Little House on the Prairie – although even the show’s most devoted fans may struggle to recognise her.
The 64-year-old actress, who came to fame playing spoiled troublemaker Nellie Oleson in the beloved 1970s television series, appears almost completely unrecognizable in the second episode of Netflix’s new adaptation.
Rather than reprising her iconic role, Alison plays Ida, a mysterious and slightly menacing woman living in the woods with a group of fellow drifters.
The character encounters Laura and Mary Ingalls while the sisters are searching for their missing friend John Edwards. Ida assures the girls that John is with the group and will return, but Laura becomes increasingly frightened as time passes.
When the young girl attempts to escape, Ida grabs hold of her – prompting Laura to bite her arm in a tense encounter.
It is a brief appearance, but Alison’s dramatic transformation makes it particularly easy to miss. The show’s hair, make-up and costume departments gave the naturally glamorous star weathered skin, stained teeth and grimy, unhealthy-looking nails to reflect Ida’s difficult life in the wilderness.
© Eric Zachanowich/Netflix“They proceeded to make me look like I took much less care of myself than I actually do,” Alison told Tudum.
“They painted my teeth and made them look horrible. They painted my nails to look disgusting, filthy and diseased. All my beautiful nails, my beautiful teeth, my beautiful skin – out the window.”
Alison explained that the dramatic look made sense for a woman surviving outdoors during the 1800s, adding that Ida had clearly endured a hard life and was “rough”.
© Getty ImagesThe actress received the offer only around two weeks before she was required on set in Winnipeg. After hearing the unusual description of the character and her unsettling woodland scene, Alison immediately knew the part suited her.
She was also delighted by the production’s commitment to historical detail, particularly after remembering the much simpler undergarments and costumes used during filming of the original series.
Alison played Nellie opposite Melissa Gilbert’s Laura Ingalls, becoming one of television’s most memorable love-to-hate characters. Even decades later, viewers still approach her to recall the terrible things Nellie did to Laura.
© NBCUniversal via Getty Images“Apparently, I did it right,” she said, noting that audiences eventually came to adore the character they once despised.
While Nellie does not appear in the first season of the new adaptation, Willa Dunn has been cast in the celebrated role for season two. Alison’s advice to her young successor was simple: “Take it and run with it.”
Netflix’s new Little House on the Prairie, starring Alice Halsey as Laura, is now streaming.
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