Why This Star Fell in Love with His LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Role

Published: June 16, 2026

By Michaela Gordoni

THE LAST SHIP star Jocko Sims fell in love with his role as Dr. George Tann on Netflix’s LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRE series.

“I didn’t know about the books. I didn’t know it was based on a true story,” he told Movieguide® last week. “And full transparency, it wasn’t until after I got the role — that I loved on paper — that I learned that Dr. George Tann was a real person, that he was a real Black doctor in the 1800s who was a pioneer, a neighbor and friend to the Ingalls family.”

When the family got malaria, he saved their lives. And that’s what’s written on his gravestone to this day.

“He delivered baby Caroline,” Sims added. “That took it to another level for me. I couldn’t believe it because here’s this American hero, a Black American hero, who it seems that we don’t know a whole lot about.”

He doesn’t take the role lightly. If it weren’t for Sims, the books that inspired the shows would have never been written.

“It’s been very special for me,” he said. “… I love humans and human interaction, and I tend to be cast to play roles that have the same sort of temperament. Dr. Reynolds, who was a doctor as well on NEW AMSTERDAM, very similar qualities, very similar bedside manner.”

View this post on Instagram

Like the old LITTLE HOUSE series that came out in the ’70s, the new show highlights some moral values.

“Self-reflection is important…For a community and societies to thrive, we have to look within ourselves, and I think that this show has a lot of great examples of characters doing that,” Sims said. “I also find that there’s a strong message of unity and community, in simple scenes like us building the church together in Independence and the town meetings.”

It also showcases bravery and commitments.

“The idea that Charles, played by Luke Bracey, is guiding his family and his wife, Caroline, played by the great Crosby Fitzgerald, go out into the West where it’s dangerous, Dr. George Tann talks about how he’s seen families get overtaken by wolves and freeze to death and starve to death, and it just is a reminder of how dangerous it is out there,” Sims said. “And despite things going wrong often, Caroline is right there by his side. She brings to attention these problems, and she challenges him.”

Bracey said of the Ingalls’ experience on the prairie, “I don’t think anyone survives by themselves. That’s what we learn in this show: It takes many, many people.”

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRE comes out on Netflix on July 9.

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.