Early in the series, the character of Nellie closely resembled her counterpart from the books - mainly as portrayed in "On the Banks of Plum Creek." She had long, elaborately curled hair, acted very prissy and spoiled - yet underneath, she could display a vicious and manipulative personality. Nellie took after her doting mother Harriet (Katherine MacGregor), while father Nels (Richard Bull) tended to be more stern with his two children and had little tolerance for Nellie's often cruel antics. Nels and Harriet frequently conflicted on the rearing of both Nellie and Willie (Jonathan Gilbert); Harriet's assertiveness frequently won out, although Nellie was not always allowed to get away with her behavior. For example, on the episode called "The Cheaters", Mrs. Oleson finds out Nellie has cheated and started hitting Nellie with her jacket, while chasing her out of the schoolyard.