Saagar Kote
‘Little House on the Prairie’ is a Netflix drama series set in the American Midwest during the late 19th century. It follows the close-knit Ingalls family as they leave their old life behind to build a new home on the Western frontier outside the growing town of Independence. Laura Ingalls (Alice Halsey), her father Charles Ingalls (Luke Bracey), her mother Caroline Ingalls (Crosby Fitzgerald), her older sister Mary Ingalls (Skywalker Hughes), and their dog Jack face the hardships of prairie life, from illness, wolves, and fire to the daily struggle of surviving on unfamiliar land. Settling into their new community, they cross paths with the Osage people, who have long lived on the prairie, and the Mitchell family, whose roots in Independence run deep.
Through these intertwined stories, the series explores family, survival, hope, and the lasting impact of westward expansion on Indigenous communities. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the drama series is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s ‘Little House’ novel series. Featured in this list are shows similar to ‘Little House on the Prairie’ that intricately tell stories of families, lands, cultures, and the complexities of life.
12. Little Men (1998-1999)
Set as a continuation of Louisa May Alcott’s eponymous novel, ‘Little Men’ begins in Concord, Massachusetts, shortly after the death of Josephine Bhaer AKA Jo’s (Michelle Rene Thomas) husband, leaving her to take charge of Plumfield School on her own. Jo struggles with the responsibility of running the boarding school and finding a new teacher. Merchant mariner Nick Riley (Spencer Rochfort) arrives to help care for the property, while Jo’s nephew, Franz (Robin Dunne), takes over teaching the students.
The drama series follows the everyday lives and adventures of the children at Plumfield as Jo gradually adjusts to her new life and develops a complex bond with Nick. Guided by the ideas of Carl Binder and Meyer Shwarzstein, the narrative is spiritually linked to ‘Little House on the Prairie’ due to its portrayal of the simplicity of life and the emotional challenges that family and loved ones bring. Jo has much in common with Laura, as both characters struggle to come to terms with changing situations in their lives.
11. Ransom Canyon (2025-)
Crafted by April Blair, ‘Ransom Canyon’ is the tale of Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), a rancher marked by loss, who struggles to defend his land while facing two powerful families intent on controlling its resources. His fight for survival collides with his renewed romance with Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), the dancehall owner who reenters his life. When tensions rise, Staten’s determination to protect his property places Quinn’s safety in jeopardy, intertwining love and conflict in unpredictable ways. The Western romantic drama series is based on Jodi Thomas’ book series of the same name. It reflects the essence of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ through its focus on the impact of land, love, family, and conflict on a person’s life, and on how destiny and geography collide.
10. Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011)
In ‘Lark Rise to Candleford,’ Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) leaves the hamlet of Lark Rise at the end of the 19th century to begin a new life in Candleford. Guided by her cousin, the spirited postmistress Dorcas Lane (Julia Sawalha), Laura experiences the contrast between her modest rural upbringing and the wealthier market town. Through Laura’s eyes, the British period drama series captures the rhythms of daily life, farmworkers, craftsmen, and gentry bound by family, rivalries, and friendships. She witnesses joy, hardship, epidemics that threaten the harvest, and the arrival of Post Office Inspector Mr. Rushton (Ben Daniels).
At the heart of her journey is the bond with Dorcas, whose independence and warmth help Laura navigate triumphs and trials. The show is brought to life by Bill Gallagher and is an adaptation of Flora Thompson’s eponymous novel trilogy. Akin to Laura Ingalls in ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ Laura Timmins explores the ups and downs of a completely new world, revealing how friendship and community endure through change, and families shape destiny.
9. Jamestown (2017-2019)
‘Jamestown’ is set in the English colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619. Twelve years after the settlement is founded, three women from England, including Jocelyn (Naomi Battrick), Alice (Sophie Rundle), and Verity (Niamh Walsh), arrive to marry the men who paid for their passage, unaware of the lives awaiting them. Their arrival coincides with that of the new governor, Sir George Yeardley (Jason Flemyng), who soon discovers that the struggling colony is divided by political rivalries. The women settle into their unfamiliar surroundings and find themselves caught in the colony’s growing tensions and harsh realities.
Forced to depend on one another, Jocelyn, Alice, and Verity must navigate an uncertain future while trying to build new lives. Shaped by the creative voice of Bill Gallagher, the British drama series depicts the struggles of rebuilding one’s life in an unfamiliar territory, surrounded by people with different opinions and morals, much like the experiences of the Ingalls family in ‘Little House on the Prairie.’
8. Christy (1994-1995)
Based on Catherine Marshall’s novel of the same name, ‘Christy’ is a period drama series from the mind of Patricia Green. Set in 1912, the story centers on Christy Huddleston (Kellie Martin), an idealistic young woman who leaves the comfort of her home in North Carolina to teach at a mission school in the impoverished Appalachian community of Cutter Gap, Tennessee. Growing closer to the mountain community, she forms a lasting friendship with Fairlight Spencer (Sheryl Lee) while finding herself torn between Reverend David Grantland (Randall Batinkoff) and Dr. Neil MacNeill (Stewart Finlay-McLennan), a local physician working to introduce modern medicine.
Like the members of the Ingalls family in ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ Christy embraces a new life filled with unfamiliar challenges and opportunities, while also navigating the complexities of her own desires. Apart from the characters, the visual elements of the shows forge a deeper connection between them.
7. Road to Avonlea (1990-1998)
With Kevin Sullivan at the creative helm, ‘Road to Avonlea’ or ‘Avonlea’ is a drama series loosely based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s ‘The Story Girl’ and her other novels. Set in the early 1900s on Prince Edward Island, the narrative delves into the life of Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley), a wealthy young girl who is sent from Montréal to live with her late mother’s estranged relatives in the rural community of Avonlea. Away from her privileged life, Sara must adjust to an unfamiliar world and a family she barely knows.
At the center of the household is Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs), who keeps the family running according to her strict standards, alongside her siblings. What follows is Sara’s efforts to settle into her new home and become part of the community. The show’s grounded storytelling, combined with the character motivations and the family morals, reflects the thematic and aesthetic elements of ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ While being sagas of cultures, the shows are also deep character studies.
6. Into the West (2005)
‘Into the West’ traces the lives of a White settler family and a Native American family as their destinies become intertwined during America’s westward expansion. Seeking a new life, Jacob Wheeler (Matthew Settle) heads west and marries Thunder Heart Woman (Tonantzin Carmelo), the sister of Loved By the Buffalo (Joseph M. Marshall III), forging a bond between two families as relations between settlers and Native Americans steadily deteriorate. While Jacob pursues the promise of a better future, Loved By the Buffalo struggles against a prophecy foretelling the destruction of his people. Set against major events such as the Gold Rush, the Pony Express, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Indian Wars, the series follows both families as they endure the hopes, hardships, and lasting consequences of a changing nation.
Directed by Robert Dornhelm, Simon Wincer, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, and others, the Western drama series is an engaging ride. ‘Into the West’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’ depict the hardships of frontier life while navigating how settlers’ ambitions intersect with the lives and morals of Native American communities. Family relationships, personal journeys, and conflicts in a changing landscape are ideas that both shows explore.
5. 1883 (2021-2022)
Created by Taylor Sheridan, ‘1883’ or ‘1883: A Yellowstone Origin Story’ is a Western drama series and a prequel to ‘Yellowstone’. Set in the late 19th century, the story chronicles the trials and tribulations of James Dutton (Tim McGraw), Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), and their family as they hope to secure a future by settling in Montana. They undertake a difficult journey to build a new life and establish a home while navigating their individual desires.
Along the way, the family members face relentless hardships that test their determination and resilience. Through the Dutton family’s struggle to claim land, the series traces the origins of a legacy that will shape generations to come. A family settling down in an unfamiliar land, clashes with local communities, conflicting interests, layered characters, commentary on the American Dream, and the consequences of ambition are ideas that both ‘1883’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’ explore.
4. When Calls the Heart (2014-)
‘When Calls the Heart’ takes place in 1910 and revolves around Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher from a wealthy family who leaves her comfortable city life behind to teach in the small coal-mining community of Coal Valley in Western Canada. While she adjusts to the challenges of frontier life, Elizabeth dedicates herself to the town’s children and forms close friendships with local residents, including Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin). Elizabeth also grows close to a cop named Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing), and the two gradually fall in love. Guided by the community’s support, Elizabeth learns to embrace her new home and the changing lives of the people around her.
Inspired by Janette Oke’s book of the same name, the Western drama series is brought to life by Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird. Akin to ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ the show is shaped by character relationships, personal growth, and the emotional challenges of daily life in a setting away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The sense of isolation that characters experience also connects the shows on a deeper level.
3. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1998)
With Beth Sullivan at the creative helm, ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ is a Western drama series set in 1867. After the death of her father, Boston physician Michaela Quinn (Jane Seymour) leaves her wealthy upbringing behind to establish a medical practice in the frontier town of Colorado Springs. She soon discovers that convincing the townspeople to accept a woman doctor is an uphill battle. With the support of frontiersman Byron Sully (Joe Lando) and midwife Charlotte Cooper (Diane Ladd), Michaela begins adapting to her unfamiliar surroundings.
Before dying, Charlotte entrusts Michaela with the care of her three orphaned children. Embracing her new role as both a doctor and a mother, Michaela must now earn the community’s trust and find love. Frontier life is a major thematic and plot element in both ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ The stories emphasize community relationships, survival, misunderstandings, and other challenges as the characters go through transformative experiences.
2. Heartland (2007-)
‘Heartland’ explores the aftermath of the death of Amy Fleming’s (Amber Marshall) mother. Following this tragedy, Amy remains on her family’s ranch, living with her grandfather and devoting herself to rescuing and rehabilitating abused horses. Still grieving her loss, Amy’s life becomes even more complex when her estranged father, Timothy Fleming (Chris Potter), and her sister, Samantha Fleming (Michelle Morgan), return. As the family struggles to move forward, Amy must balance the responsibilities of the ranch with the emotional challenges of rebuilding relationships and healing from the past.
With her father and sister carrying problems of their own, Amy’s journey proves more difficult than she imagined. Based on Lauren Brooke’s novel series of the same name, the drama series is crafted by Murray Shostak. Much like ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ the show is a poignant exploration of family bonds, resilience, and the healing power of remote settings. Through Amy’s eyes, the narrative explores how personal growth and the enduring legacy of a home shape one’s destiny, as they do for the Ingalls family.
1. Anne with an E (2017-2019)
‘Anne with an E’ unfolds in the late 1890s on a farm named Green Gables, on the outskirts of the Canadian town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. It tells the story of Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty), a teenage orphan scarred by years of abuse in orphanages. She is mistakenly sent to Green Gables, which belongs to aging siblings Matthew Cuthbert (R.H. Thomson) and Marilla Cuthbert (Geraldine James), who had intended to adopt a boy. Anne’s intelligence and fierce spirit immediately unsettle Marilla, who doubts her place in the household, and Anne is sent back to the orphanage. Matthew retrieves her, and Marilla realizes Anne is innocent, welcoming her into their family. Even as Avonlea’s schoolchildren bully her and the community judges her for class and status, Anne refuses to give up. Through her resilience, she sets out to carve out a sense of belonging and possibly change the town’s views.
Guided by the creative vision of Moira Walley‑Beckett, the period drama series is loosely adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ There is much in common between Laura in ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and Anne. The two characters serve as the driving forces of the shows, which are both about strangers finding their purpose and place in a new world and discovering more about themselves. The narratives are connected at a deeper level through their visual styles, grounded storytelling, and character dynamics.
Read More: Shows Like Dutton Ranch
