Alison Arngrim Reveals the “Little House on the Prairie” Moment That Made Her Feel ‘Truly Jealous’ (Exclusive)

Angela AndaloroMon, August 24, 2026 at 8:41 PM UTC

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Johnny Cash as Caleb Hodgekiss, June Carter Cash as Mattie Hodgekiss on ‘Little House on the Prairie’Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty -

Little House on the Prairie stars Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler are among many reuniting with fans in Nashville on the weekend of Sept. 11

The cast is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Johnny Cash’s guest appearance on the series, while honoring the shared values between the show and country music

Arngrim and Butler tell PEOPLE about why the episode means so much and what fans can expect

The Little House on the Prairiecast is excited to get out there and celebrate a very special episode in the show’s history.

Prairie Legacy Productions has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry for a special Little House on the Prairie cast appearance, followed by an exclusive backstage tour and private Q&A for VIP guests. Set to attend the special event, which takes place September 11 through 13 in Nashville, Tennessee, are Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson); Rachel and Robyn Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls); Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle); Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder); Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter); Stan Ivar (John Carter); Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace); Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose); and Todd Bridges (Solomon).

The gathering also marks the 50th anniversary of another special moment in Little House history—the season 3 premiere, which guest-starred Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Speaking with PEOPLE about the upcoming event and what it celebrates, Arngrim and Butler talk about the legend around the episode, which sadly neither Little House alum appears in.

“This reunion, it’s to honor Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash on the 50th anniversary of their appearance in the season three premiere of the Little House called ‘The Collection.’ It’s a wonderful performance on their part. It’s a very interesting episode. It plays right into the sweet spot of who they are and what they’re about,” Butler told PEOPLE.

Johnny Cash and Michael Landon in ‘Little House on the Prairie’Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

“We decided because of Johnny and June’s status as icons of country music, we’d take this to Nashville and go one step farther and go to the Grand Ole Opry with this. And when they pitched this idea to the Grand Ole Opry, they said, ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ instantly. There was no hesitation,” he proudly noted.

Butler pointed to the crossover between country music fans and Little House viewers. “We’re talking about the same kinds of themes of family and community and heartbreak and celebration. Their music is so about all of that. And that’s why we’re there. And I think it’s going to be a really beautiful weekend,” he shared.

Having recently rewatched the episode, Arngrim says that Cash and Carter “were so incredible,” and added, “He plays a really terrible person who then sees the error of his ways and is totally redeemed, because he hangs out around us for a few days and we sort him out.”

In the series, Cash plays Caleb Hodgekiss, an ex-con stepping in for the town’s injured Reverend with the intention of robbing worshippers and running off. Carter Cash plays his wife, Mattie Hodgekiss.

She also admits, “I’m rarely jealous, but I’m truly jealous that I am not in that episode, because I wanted to meet Johnny Cash so badly.”

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Johnny Cash as Caleb HodgekissCredit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Butler, who didn’t join the cast until season six of the beloved series, has also watched the episode for the pair’s rewatch podcast with Roylance. He shared, “What I loved about it was watching Johnny Cash. Michael met Johnny at a party and invited him to come onto the program. The episode was written just for them.”

“This so played into the sweet spot of Johnny Cash’s heroically imperfect image that he cultivated so well just because of who he was. This was really a wonderful concept for him to play this guy, this flawed human being with, at his core, a very decent but damaged heart,” Butler said. He then added, “And I just think it’s terrific. We even got to hear him sing a little bit.”

Arngrim is thrilled that the Grand Ole Opry event will give the cast the opportunity to meet members of the late musical couple’s family, while Butler looks forward to their performances.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful episode. And of course at the Opry, the audience will see clips from the episode. And John Carter Cash, Johnny’s son, and John Carter Cash’s wife, Ana Cristina, will perform. June Carter’s daughter from her first marriage, Carlene Carter, will also perform that night,” he shared.

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Butler also spoke about an extra special touch that will be meaningful for Little House fans. “Charles Ingalls’ actual fiddle is coming from Mansfield, Missouri, where it’s been for the last 80 years, to be played on the stage for the first time ever. I think Little House fans are going to go absolutely bonkers when they hear that and see that,” he said.

Arngrim emphasized, “This is actually Charles’s fiddle. Charles Ingalls’, from the 1800s, the actual fiddle that Laura listened to growing up.”

The performances will take place the first night of the event, Sept. 11. Tickets are now available.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”