Charlotte Stewart Reflects on the Prairie: Melissa Gilbert's 'Method' Was 'So Believable'

Published: June 18, 2025

Charlotte Stewart, best known for her role as Miss Beadle on the iconic series Little House on the Prairie, recently sat down with The Patrick LabyorSheaux to reminisce about her time on the show. In the interview, Stewart shared her admiration for her young co-star Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Stewart, 84, praised Gilbert's acting skills, calling her a "method actor" even at the tender age of 9. "She would look at me with eyes [like] she believed that Miss Beadle was the best teacher ever. So the audience believed that Miss Beadle was the best teacher ever."

Stewart also shared her favorite scene with Gilbert, saying, "There were several times when Laura and Miss Beadle would interact, and she was so good. She was so believable. She was so... I don't even have the words for it. I was so impressed with her."

In the interview, Stewart also discussed her audition process for Little House on the Prairie, which she landed without knowing much about the show or her character. She remembered being surprised by the audition scene, which involved taking over a desk and telling the producers, "Quiet."

Stewart appeared in the first four seasons, from 1974 to 1978, and is still proud of her role as Miss Beadle. She expressed gratitude that people can still watch the show and recognize her 50 years later.