Netflix Renews ‘Little House’ with Paramount, Just Days After WB Defection to Rival!

Netflix is signaling all is well after a surprising twist last Friday, when Warner Bros. Discovery ditched its merger plans with Netflix in favor of a higher offer from Paramount. This decision came after Netflix chose not to increase their initial bid.

Early today, Netflix declared a Season 2 renewal for their highly anticipated remake of Little House on the Prairie, originally a beloved television series adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s novels. This series reboot, a product of Paramount-owned CBS Studios, represents the first official deal between Netflix and Paramount since Paramount’s recent $2.8 billion payment to Netflix as a breakup fee for the WBD deal.

Granting early renewals is common among streaming services like Netflix, which use this strategy to maintain audience interest and reduce the wait time between seasons. However, the decision to announce this renewal more than four months before the July 9 premiere of Little House On the Prairie is particularly notable.

View on Deadline

Despite the unexpected timing, the renewal itself was somewhat anticipated. Netflix officials have been expressing confidence in the series for several months, especially after the completion of Season 1 last fall.

Encouragingly, a writers room for the series was established toward the end of 2025, just after Netflix initially outbid Paramount for WBD. This early move suggests strong faith in the series’ potential.

The decision to renew was clinched after Netflix executives viewed the first season and heard the Season 2 pitch, both of which were met with enthusiasm. The show’s creative interpretation of the source material was described as “fantastic” and “special” by insiders.

Amid recent public disputes between Netflix and Paramount over the WBD situation, operations for Little House On the Prairie proceeded smoothly, ultimately leading to the formal approval of a second season. The upcoming season’s writers room is reportedly exploring the introduction of a beloved character from the original series, Nellie Oleson, who wasn’t in the first season.

“We are thrilled to extend Little House on the Prairie for a second season before its debut on Netflix,” announced Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of U.S. and Canada scripted series. She praised the first season for laying a solid groundwork for future storytelling and expressed confidence in the series’ continued appeal due to its emotional depth and optimism.

At Netflix, Little House On the Prairie fits into the streamer’s expanding category of comforting, feel-good content. The series has been under development for an extended period and was officially ordered to series in January 2025.

Paramount, through Paramount TV Studios, also produces the hit Netflix comedy Emily In Paris, which was renewed for a sixth season earlier this year. Additionally, in January, Netflix secured a U.S. licensing agreement with Paramount for several other series including Mayor of Kingstown, SEAL Team, and Watson.

Little House On the Prairie stars Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls, Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls, Luke Bracey as Pa, and Crosby Fitzgerald as Ma. The series is a joint production of CBS Studios and Anonymous Content, with executive production by Rebecca Sonnenshine, Joy Gorman Wettels, Trip Friendly, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel.