Jessie is an American comedy television series created by Pamela Eells O'Connell that aired on Disney Channel from September 30, 2011 to October 16, 2015. The series stars Debby Ryan, Peyton List, Cameron Boyce, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson, and Kevin Chamberlin.

Plot The series follows Jessie Prescott, a young woman from a small town with big dreams of becoming a famous actress who, rebelling against her strict father, decides to leave the military base in Texas where she grew up and moves to New York City. She accepts a job as a nanny and moves into a multimillion-dollar penthouse on the Upper West Side, Manhattan with the wealthy Ross family.

The family includes jet-setting parents Morgan and Christina Ross and their four rambunctious children: Emma, Luke, Ravi, and Zuri, along with the family pet, Mr. Kipling, a seven-foot Asian water monitor lizard, that is later revealed to be a female. With a whole new world of experiences open to her, Jessie embarks on new adventures in the big city as she grows to rely on the love and support of the children in her care. Assisting her are Bertram, the family's lazy and sarcastic butler, and Tony, the building's 20-year-old doorman.

Cast and characters

Main

Debby Ryan as , an idealistic and resourceful girl from the military base of Fort Hood, Texas. As a recent high school graduate rebelling against her strict father, who wanted her to join the army, Jessie moves to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress but, due to an unexpected turn of events, ends up becoming a nanny to the four Ross children. Even though at times both Jessie and the Ross kids annoy each other, they all deeply care for one another and Jessie is even shown to be sometimes overprotective. Peyton List as , a diva, somewhat ditsy, cynical girl, eager to reorder the world to the way she sees it. Emma is the oldest child of the Ross family, and Morgan and Christina's only biological child. Cameron Boyce as , a laid-back, flirty, and crafty boy who was born in Detroit and has a passion for video games, break-dancing, and causing mischief around the penthouse while also being sarcastic at times. He considers himself a "ladies' man", having taken a liking to Jessie in particular. Karan Brar as , a gentle, intelligent and courteous boy, born and raised for ten and a half years in West Bengal, India, and the newest addition of the Ross family. He is imbued with the culture of his beloved homeland but is thrilled with his new life in the United States. Skai Jackson as , a sassy, strong-willed, quick-witted and talkative girl who was brought to NYC from her birth country of Uganda. She is highly creative with a penchant for rainbows, unicorns, mermaids, and country music, and has many stuffed animals and imaginary friends. She is the youngest of the Ross children. Kevin Chamberlin as , the Ross family's butler. He is grouchy and often very lazy, begrudgingly helping Jessie navigate her job as nanny to the four Ross children.

Recurring Christina Moore as Christina Ross, the mother of the four Ross children and a former supermodel turned business magnate. Chris Galya as Tony, the doorman in the building where the Ross family lives who has strong feelings for Jessie and helps her navigate her adventures in the big city. Charles Esten as Morgan Ross, the father of the four Ross children and a famous movie director. The pilot episode reveals he is friends with George Lucas. Frank as , the Ross family's house pet, a seven-foot Asian water monitor lizard that Ravi brought from India when he came to the US. In the first season, the lizard is known as Mr. Kipling. Carolyn Hennesy as Rhoda Chesterfield, the cold-hearted head of the city condominium board in the building where the Ross family lives. Her first spat with Jessie and the Ross clan involved Mrs. Kipling tearing her clothes up in the elevator. She dislikes anyone who is not rich, who is under 20, or who is less self-absorbed than herself. Josie Totah as Stuart Wooten, a quick-witted, yet love-struck, kid. He has a huge crush on Zuri and is a good friend to the Ross brothers. Joey Richter as Officer Petey, a police officer who is obsessed with the performing arts, and really wants to be an actor. Jennifer Veal as Agatha, an unattractive, arrogant British nanny who frequently locks horns with Jessie and the Ross children. During their first meeting, she attempts to ban Zuri and Jessie from Central Park. Pierson Fode as Brooks Wentworth, Jessie's new boyfriend who later becomes Jessie's fiancé. He got a job in Africa and asked Jessie to get married as soon as possible. She decides to go with him but the kids become upset when they find out.

Notable guest stars Sierra McCormick as Connie Thompson, an insane girl with an obsessive crush on Luke. She appears in "Creepy Connie Comes a Callin'", "Creepy Connie's Curtain Call", and "Creepy Connie 3: The Creepening". Kelly Gould as Rosie, Emma's best friend who lives in a crime-ridden area of the city but is actually a nice girl. She appears in "Make New Friends but Hide the Old", "Trashin' Fashion", and "Kids Don't Wanna Be Shunned". Katherine McNamara as Bryn Breitbart, who appears in "Kids Don't Wanna Be Shunned", where she attempts to steal Emma's friends by pretending she is of Danish royalty. In "Diary of a Mad Newswoman", Emma forgives Bryn and they become coworkers on Ravi's school news show. Maia Mitchell as Shaylee Michaels, a successful Australian actress who befriends Jessie, casting her as her stunt double in her latest film in "Jessie's Big Break". Cheri Oteri as Ms. Falkenberg, Zuri's quirky but overly strict third-grade teacher, appearing in the episode "Teacher's Pest". Jessie serves as Ms. Falkenberg’s classroom aide. Chris Bosh appears as himself in "Say Yes to the Messy Dress". He keeps his stinky white socks from the tenth grade as a sign of good luck, even though Luke disagrees with him and tries to sabotage his chance to win a basketball game against the New York Knicks. Adam Sandler appears as himself in "Punch Dumped Love", making spare change. He claims he wants to go by his nickname "Thunder". Spencer Boldman as Ted, who appears in "Break-Up and Shake-Up" as one of Jessie's old boyfriends. Lulu Antariksa as Vic, who appears in "Break-Up and Shake-Up", where Tony trains her to become a doorwoman, causing Jessie to become jealous of them. In the end, Vic goes out with Jessie's ex-boyfriend Ted. Matthew Timmons as Max Bauer, Jessie's young agent who appears in "Caught Purple Handed", where he says that he is living in his mother's basement and has to pay her rent. Stefanie Scott as Maybelle, the new girl in the Ross's apartment building. She appears in "Hoedown Showdown", where she hog-ties Emma's new "soul mate" after he asks her out knowing Emma likes him. Lombardo Boyar as Boomer, Emma's new boss and Connie's uncle. He is shown as a hardworking and easily persuaded man while also annoyed with Connie's antics. He appears in "Snack Attack", "Creepy Connie 3: The Creepening", and "Help Not Wanted". G. Hannelius as Mackenzie, an actress Connie Thompson hired to scare Luke into believing that she wasn't creepy anymore after she went to boarding school. She appears in "Creepy Connie 3: The Creepening" where she has a psycho crush on Luke just like Connie. Lainie Kazan as Wanda Winkle, Bertram's estranged mother and is invited by Jessie to surprise him on his birthday. She appears in "Throw Momma from the Terrace". Jo Anne Worley as Mrs. Arthur, Nana Banana in "Zuri's New Old Friend". Michelle Obama appears as herself in "From the White House to Our House", where she is called by Zuri because Zuri wants her friend Taylor's mother to be home for Taylor's tenth birthday. Phill Lewis as Mr. Moseby, who appears in "Karate Kid-tastrophe", where it is revealed he became the New York Tipton's hotel manager after the events of The Suite Life on Deck. Francesca Capaldi as Madeline, who appears in "What a Steal" as a thief. Chris Paul appears as himself in "Basket Case", where he coaches Ravi. Meaghan Martin as Delphina, who appears in "Rossed at Sea Part 1". Zuri believes she is a mermaid.

Production

Development The series was created by Pamela Eells O'Connell, who had previous experience with the "nanny" sitcom formula, starting her career as a writer on the series Charles in Charge and serving as co-executive producer on The Nanny, before working with Debby Ryan on The Suite Life on Deck. O'Connell is said to have developed Jessie specifically to showcase Ryan's talent. In an interview with the Star-Telegram, Ryan explained how the concept originated: "(O'Connell) and I were throwing ideas back and forth when The Suite Life was coming to an end, and she came up with this. I was absolutely captivated. Then Disney looked at the script and the show runner (O'Connell) and myself and they were like: 'Awesome. We like it. You're on in the fall'". In interviews with Variety, Disney Channel President Gary Marsh spoke of working with Ryan again: "It's been thrilling to watch Debby grow from an unknown actress to one of our top stars. Debby is a talented young actress who connects to a wide fanbase because she's genuine, relatable and aspirational all at once. Our viewers have followed her from The Suite Life on Deck to 16 Wishes, and we're pleased to be working with her again." Jessie was the first main character to be engaged on the Disney Channel. There was a four-part episode about the engagement.

Casting

With Ryan signed on, Disney Channel began the search to cast the Ross family in May 2011. Before casting was finalized, there were numerous differences in the original concept for several of the characters. The role of the mother to the Ross children was originally a photographer named "Pandora", the role of the oldest daughter, Emma, was originally named "Anabel", the role of Luke was originally a boy adopted from Korea named "Hiro", and the role of Ravi was originally a boy adopted from South America named "Javier" who had a pet capybara instead of a water monitor. Some have speculated that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as a prominent celebrity couple with a multi-cultural adoptive family, may have been one possible inspiration for the series. In an interview with the Boston Herald, O'Connell described her inspiration, saying: "I thought the celebrity parents and gorgeous penthouse would be glamorous, and a nice contrast to Jessie's more modest Texas roots. That fish out of water element makes for good stories, and I was inspired by many families who have adopted children of different ethnicities." The Ross parents are only shown in a few episodes throughout the series.

Filming After casting was finalized and changes were made to several of the characters to suit the actors chosen, the series skipped the pilot phase and was put directly into production. Filming began in June 2011 on Stage 3/8 at Hollywood Center Studios which, prior to start of production, served as the sound stage where the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place was taped. 13 episodes were originally ordered for the first season, but while the show's first season was in production, Disney Channel ordered an additional seven episodes, bringing the total number of episodes for the first season to 20. When asked about the atmosphere on set during an interview with MSN TV, Ryan described her relationship with the young cast: "I definitely feel like a nanny! They are smart kids, but they're real kids. They like to have fun. My policy is: We can play hard, as long as we work hard, and because we work hard, we need to play hard." Filming on the series wrapped on February 22, 2015.