Inside the Real Reason Why Melissa Sue Anderson Left ‘Little House on the Prairie’
Melissa Sue Anderson is best remembered for her years playing eldest Ingalls daughter Mary on Little House on the Prairie. Only a teenager when she joined the show in 1974, Anderson was noted for dramatic abilities— in 1978, she became the only series cast member to be nominated for an Emmy. Audiences watched Anderson’s character character endure one of the most memorable arcs on the series, as Mary gradually lost her eyesight over the course of several seasons. However, by the time the show moved into its later seasons, Anderson was ready to walk away and experience new career challenges. Her decision was less about controversy and more about the natural limitations of her role and her desire to grow as an actress.
From the beginning, Anderson often noted that Mary was not as central to the show’s stories as her sister Laura. The books themselves offered fewer dramatic storylines for Mary, which in the television version translated into stretches where the actress had little to do. That changed in season 4, when Mary became blind in the two-part episode “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away.” But by the time Anderson was older, Mary’s arc felt complete, and new episodes increasingly focused on Laura, Almanzo and the next generation of Ingalls family stories. She noted to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that after season four, “I was blind and boring. Either I was just there not doing much or going through some tragedy. I couldn’t take it anymore. It became too soap opera-ish.”
NBC/Everett Collection
Anderson remained a regular through season 7 and appeared occasionally in season 8, but as the show shifted focus, her presence gradually diminished. She later explained in interviews and in her memoir, The Way I See It, that she felt underutilized at times and was eager to take on new challenges. Having spent much of her adolescence tied to one role, she chose to step away rather than continue in a limited capacity.
After leaving Little House on the Prairie, Anderson took on other television and film projects, including guest roles on CHiPs, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and more, plus TV movies, before eventually scaling back her career to focus more on her family. Looking back, her departure makes sense. Mary Ingalls had already experienced the height of her storyline, and Anderson herself was growing up and ready to move beyond Walnut Grove.
Everett Collection
Where to Watch Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie airs regularly on networks like Hallmark Drama, Cozi TV and UPtv. The complete series is also available to stream on platforms such as Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, and DVD box sets remain a favorite for collectors who want to own every episode.
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1970s Fall TV
September 2023
Take a trip back to the ’70s by looking at the TV Guide Magazine Fall Preview primetime lineups.
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