Jessie (2011 TV series)

Did You Know?

• Disney Channel did not broadcast "Quitting Cold Koala" on its originally scheduled date of May 17, 2013, because the episode had a character who made fun of Celiac disease; an edited version aired on July 5, 2013.
• A Hindi-language adaptation titled Oye Jassie premiered on Disney Channel in India on October 13, 2013.
• The pilot episode was released as a free download via the iTunes Store one week before its Disney Channel premiere.

Plot

Jessie Prescott, a young woman from a small town, rebels against her strict father and leaves a Texas military base to pursue acting in New York City. She becomes a nanny for the wealthy Ross family, living in their Upper West Side penthouse. The family includes jet-setting parents Morgan and Christina and their four children: Emma, Luke, Ravi, and Zuri, plus a seven-foot Asian water monitor lizard named Mr. Kipling. Jessie relies on the children's love and support while assisted by Bertram, the lazy butler, and Tony, the doorman.

Cast and characters

Debby Ryan plays Jessie Prescott, an idealistic girl from Fort Hood, Texas, who moves to New York City to become an actress but ends up as a nanny. Peyton List portrays Emma Ross, the oldest child and only biological child of Morgan and Christina, who is a diva and somewhat ditsy. Cameron Boyce plays Luke Ross, a laid-back, flirty boy from Detroit who loves video games and break-dancing. Karan Brar is Ravi Ross, a gentle, intelligent boy raised in West Bengal, India, who is the newest Ross child.

Skai Jackson plays Zuri Ross, a sassy, strong-willed girl from Uganda who is the youngest. Kevin Chamberlin portrays Bertram, the grouchy and lazy butler. Christina Moore plays Christina Ross, a former supermodel turned business magnate. Chris Galya plays Tony, the doorman who has feelings for Jessie.

Charles Esten plays Morgan Ross, a famous movie director. Frank plays Mrs. Kipling, the family's seven-foot Asian water monitor lizard, originally called Mr. Kipling.

Production

Pamela Eells O'Connell created the series, drawing on her experience with nanny sitcoms like Charles in Charge and The Nanny, and her work with Debby Ryan on The Suite Life on Deck. O'Connell developed Jessie to showcase Ryan's talent. Ryan said the concept came from O'Connell and her throwing ideas back and forth as The Suite Life ended. Disney Channel President Gary Marsh praised Ryan's growth from unknown actress to top star. The Ross family was cast in May 2011. O'Connell said she was inspired by celebrity families with multi-cultural adoptive children. The Ross parents appear in few episodes.

Episodes

In November 2012, a crossover with Austin & Ally titled "Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year" aired December 7, 2012. In October 2013, a crossover with Good Luck Charlie called "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas" aired November 29, 2013. The series crossed over with Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors for "Halloween Night at the Museum" on October 10, 2014. On November 28, 2014, a crossover with Liv and Maddie titled "Jessie's Aloha-Holidays with Parker and Joey" aired, tying Jessie with Hannah Montana and Lilo & Stitch: The Series for most crossovers by a Disney Channel show.