How often have you wondered what the performers of an old show you enjoyed are doing now? Curious about the actors’ current lives? Fans of “Little House on the Prairie,” who anxiously follow the family’s exploits on their farm in Plum Creek close to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, may be.

Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls, defied expectations from those who hoped she would stay a TV mainstay. Speaking openly on her decision, Anderson left Hollywood and relocated to Canada.

Having started her career in supporting parts, she rose to prominence on “Little House on the Prairie.” Her performance brought her numerous nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. “I’m lucky that there even was a character to play because in the book, there isn’t much of one,” Anderson said in 2010, reflecting on her performance. Thank goodness they realised I could act.

Anderson worked in small parts after “Little House” until she wed television producer Michael Sloan in 1990. They relocated to Montreal in 2002 along with Piper and Griffin, their two children. 2007 saw their citizenship in Canada. To devote her time to her family, Anderson left the entertainment industry.