Posted 28 minutes agoSubscribe to Screen Time NewsletterCaret DownInside The Final Season Of "Little House": Stan Ivar And Pamela Roylance Share Heartfelt Memories Of The Carter FamilyThe actors behind John and Sarah Carter reflect on moving into the Ingalls' house, support from Michael Landon, and working with the hilarious Katherine MacGregor.by Andrew FirrioloBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestLink It's been over five decades since Little House on the Prairie first graced television screens, and the beloved drama still inspires generations. While fans usually associate the iconic little house with the Ingalls family, Season 9 introduced the Carters: Sarah, John, Jeb, and Jason.
Continuing to celebrate 50 years of Little House, I sat down with Stan Ivar and Pamela Roylance - who played John and Sarah Carter - to talk about stepping into television history, favorite behind-the-scenes memories, and reuniting for the play Love Letters. NBC / NBCUniversal / Via Everett Collection Stan Ivar, Pamela Roylance, and Melissa Gilbert in 'Times Are Changing: Part 1.' Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. BuzzFeed: You both entered the show in Season 9, when the Carter family moved into the Ingalls' house. What was that first day on set like, starting as new characters on an established show?Stan Ivar: Our first day was in Simi Valley, on location right in front of the little house. It was a scene with Pam and me facing each other, and then Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert standing right alongside us. The four of us were standing in a tight circle, and it was when Charles was turning the house over to the Carter family. We're doing our lines, and I'm just not getting them out right; I keep flubbing them. NBC / NBCUniversal / Via Little House on the Prairie: "Times Are Changing: Part 1" Sarah and John Carter chat with Charles in the Season 9 premiere. Michael was directing, and he said, "Let's cut. Stan, why don't we go out behind the little house?" So we did, just he and I, out of earshot of everybody else, and he asked me, "What's wrong?"I said, "I'm just nervous. I mean, I'm here with Little Joe from Bonanza, and Half-Pint!" He said, "Look, don't worry. I'll make you a promise. I'll never let you look bad. So leave it up to me, and don't you worry about it. You just do what you do, and I'll tell you if I don't like it, okay?" He took the pressure off me completely. He was a great guy that way, and then we filmed the scene, and it was fine.
You know, Michael was from New Jersey, and I'm from Brooklyn. Every now and then, my New York accent would come back. Sometimes when he was directing, and I had just filmed a scene, he would walk up behind me and whisper (in New York accent), "I hear New York!" NBC / NBCUniversal / Via Andrew Firriolo A picture I received from Pamela a few years ago, from their first day on set. Pamela Roylance: That first day was really beautiful because it was the four of us, and the whole cast and crew were very gracious and accepting of the new actors. For me, Little House was a dream come true. It was one of the shows that I wanted to do when I left my teaching job in Portland, Oregon.I remember standing in the little house and looking up at the loft for the first time. I was thinking, "I am the only woman on this entire planet who gets to be in these boots, in this prairie dress, and have this be my home for however long it lasts." NBC / NBCUniversal / Via Getty Images Pamela Roylance as Sarah Carter. I love Season 9. I love the edginess of it. We entered an iconic show with the gift of being series regulars. We got to live in the little house and be best friends with Laura and Almanzo. Michael really set it up so the audience would accept us. He gave us two adorable boys who were irresistible. He brought in Shannen Doherty to play Almanzo's niece. Michael put us in a position of being able to be utilized almost every episode that season.
It didn't occur to me that people might not like us. It wasn't until recently, meeting fans and doing autograph signings, that I discovered not everybody liked the Carter family. I understand where they are coming from - as a fan, I wouldn't have liked seeing my favorite characters leave either. But I was so happy to be a part of it. Andrew Firriolo I had the honor of meeting Pamela in 2024, at a 50th anniversary event! The Carters had a few run-ins with my personal favorite character, Mrs. Oleson. Can you share what it was like working with Katherine MacGregor?Stan: Katherine was special. The first day I worked with her, it was on the soundstage, and I was in my dressing room getting ready. All of a sudden, there was a little knock on the door. She didn't wait for anybody to open it; she opened it herself. She peeked in, looked at me, and said, "So you're the new stud in town!"She was generous in a lot of ways. I'd never done a TV show before, but I had worked on stage and in some commercials. I remember our first scene was with Billy Bar