For Skywalker Hughes, joining Little House on the Prairie was more than another acting job. The actress grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, making the opportunity to portray Mary Ingalls in Netflix's new adaptation especially meaningful.

During her conversation with Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, Hughes described the excitement of seeing the series finally reach viewers after the cast and crew had spent so much time building its world together.

“I grew up with the books, and they were such a huge part of my life. So getting to not only be in Little House on the Prairie, but be in a very book-accurate and book-based version of the show, is so exciting.” Skywalker Hughes

Finding the new Mary Ingalls

Hughes originally auditioned for Mary, a character introduced as Laura's older sister and polar opposite. Although Mary tries to be responsible and takes pride in being “good,” Hughes was interested in finding the emotions beneath that composed exterior.

Rather than leaning heavily on the earlier television series, she returned to the books for her source material. She also worked closely with the cast during rehearsals and preparation, allowing the performers to form the family connection that anchors the series.

That preparation helped Hughes approach even Mary's smallest moments with a fully imagined inner life. For the actress, a short line can carry far more history and emotion than the audience hears aloud.

“My line could be two words long, and in my head I've got way more than two words of backstory behind each line.” Skywalker Hughes

Watch the full interview

Skywalker Hughes speaks with Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias about playing Mary Ingalls in Netflix's Little House on the Prairie.

The following section contains spoilers for Little House on the Prairie Season 1.

Mary and Laura's sisterhood

At the heart of Mary's story is her relationship with Laura. The sisters argue, tease one another and often approach the world differently, but Hughes believes their similarities are also what cause them to clash. Both feel deeply and hold strong opinions, creating a bond that can be as combustible as it is loving.

That closeness was easy to bring to the screen because Hughes and Alice Halsey connected immediately. Hughes recalled running over to hug Halsey when they met and quickly declaring that she had a new little sister. The two used best-friend quizzes to learn about one another and continued growing closer throughout production.

“Me and Alice are basically sisters in real life. We spend so much time together.” Skywalker Hughes

One of the season's most meaningful moments for Hughes comes when the sisters finally confront the hurt between them. As Mary navigates the loss of her old home and the challenge of forming new relationships, her bond with Laura becomes even more important.

Mary's emotional Season 1 journey

Hughes sees Mary beginning the season heartbroken over leaving behind friends and family, uncertain whether she will ever see many of them again. She also feels that Laura does not fully understand the weight of that loss. By the end of the season, however, Mary has created a new circle of people she loves, with figures such as Miss Henderson becoming important sources of encouragement.

Her relationship with Caleb also gives Mary an emotional anchor. Hughes hesitated to describe it as romantic love, instead calling it “puppy love” between two young people who find someone willing to be there for them.

“I think they both really needed someone—like an anchor and a rock—to kind of be there for them.” Skywalker Hughes on Mary and Caleb

The finale brought those emotions off screen as well. Hughes remembered the sadness of saying goodbye to castmates and to the Ingalls family home set before anyone knew whether they would return. She and Halsey ended their final day laughing and crying together in the back of a golf cart—a fitting final image for two performers whose real friendship became central to Mary and Laura's onscreen relationship.

Honoring an iconic story

Hughes understands the expectations that come with revisiting a story loved across generations. Her approach was to respect the books while making this version of Mary feel specific and alive, rather than becoming overwhelmed by the pressure surrounding an iconic property.

Asked whether she would change anything about Mary, Hughes said she would not. She hopes the character becomes more confident and willing to put herself out there as she grows older, but she views that evolution as a natural part of Mary's journey.

As for whether Hughes herself could survive the 1870s, growing up on a farm would give her an advantage. She would enjoy the fashion and horses, but living without an easy way to contact friends around the world would be the hardest adjustment.

Little House on the Prairie Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Watch Skywalker Hughes' complete interview above and subscribe to Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for more conversations with the stars of television and film.