Netflix's reimagined prairie drama features a meta-casting moment in its second episode when Alison Arngrim—known worldwide for playing young Laura's rival in the original broadcast—portrays Ida, a sinister figure the lost Ingalls sisters stumble upon whilst wandering the wilderness. Maintaining family-friendly boundaries, the scene generates genuine tension as Ida and her companions attempt to detain the girls until rescue arrives.

The role stemmed from showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine's years-long vision to include Arngrim in the project. After reading Arngrim's autobiography, Sonnenshine developed deep respect for the actress, characterising her as intelligent and fascinating. Arngrim proved willing and engaged during production, even proposing enhancements to her character's unsettling appearance. Sonnenshine later acknowledged some difficulty keeping the casting confidential, having forgotten she had mentioned this ambition to friends years earlier.