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 CEO, 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."
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 mother to the Ross children was originally a photographer named "Pandora", the role of eldest 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 monitor lizard. 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.
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 soundstage where the Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place was taped.Thirteen 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 twenty. 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."
The cast in December 2011
Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan), an idealistic and resourceful girl from a military base in rural Texas. Rebelling against her strict Marine Sergeant father, Jessie moved to New York City to realize her dreams, becoming nanny to the four Ross children. In the episode "Cattle Calls and Scary Walls," her last name is revealed to be Prescott.
Emma Ross (Peyton List), a bubbly, somewhat ditzy, cynical girl, eager to reorder the world to the way she sees fit. Emma is the oldest and the sole biological child of the Ross kids. It appears in Season 1 that she spends most of her time with Zuri, and doesn't appreciate Luke as much as her other siblings.\
Luke Ross (Cameron Boyce), a clever boy who was born in Detroit and has a passion for video games, break-dancing, and causing a bit of mischief around the penthouse. He considers himself a ladies' man, having taken a liking to Jessie in particular. Luke is the second-oldest child of the Ross children. It seems that in Season 1, he spends a lot of time with his brother, Ravi, and has a close frenemy bond with Bertram. Even though he fights mostly with Emma, he tries to cope with her in many ways. Also, he's hardly seen with his sister, Zuri, unless there's planning "schemes" together, but she usually leds him fend for himself. Also, in "Gotcha Day," it was said that Morgan told him Luke that he was from Krypton even though it is not true, but Luke already knew where he was from.
Ravi Ross (Karan Brar), an intelligent and gentle boy from India and the newest adoptee of the Ross family. He is imbued with the culture of his beloved homeland, but is thrilled with his new life in America. He is the second-youngest of the Ross children. In Season 1, he seems to spend most of his time with Luke, but appreciates his sisters the same. In "Creepy Connie's Curtain Call," he starts dating Creepy Connie. It is reveled in that on Zuri's recent Gotcha Day they thought he was going to be a baby but they love him anyway.
Zuri Ross (Skai Jackson), a sassy girl adopted at birth from Uganda, Africa. She is highly creative and has many stuffed animals and imaginary friends. She is currently the youngest child of the Ross children. In Season 1, she has close bonds with Jessie and Emma, although she does appreciate her brothers as well. In "Cattle Calls and Scary Walls," it is revealed that Johnny Depp is her godfather. In "The Secret Life of Mr. Kipling," Bertram reveals Zuri's middle name, Zanobia.
Bertram (Kevin Chamberlin), the grouchy and often lazy butler of the Ross family, who begrudgingly helps Jessie navigate her job as nanny to the four Ross children. In one episode, his hoarding obsession is revealed. In "Tempest in a Teacup," it is revealed that Bertram is claustrophobic. He also has a passion for opera music. Even though the Ross kids will get on his nerves sometimes, he deeply cares about them. In the episode "One Day Wonders," it is revealed that his last name is Winkle. It is shown on his social page.
Recurring characters
Mr. Kipling, later Mrs. Kipling,[note 1] (Frank) is the Ross family's house pet, a seven-foot Asian water monitor lizard, that Ravi brought from India when he came to America. In "The Secret Life of Mr. Kipling," it is revealed that he is actually a female monitor lizard and has laid twelve eggs.
Tony (Chris Galya), the good looking doorman in the building where the Ross family lives who has strong feelings for Jessie but helps her navigate her adventures in the big city. He also starts to date Jessie in episode 13, of season 1.
Morgan Ross (Charles Esten), father to the four Ross children and a famous movie director.
Christina Ross (Christina Moore), mother to the four Ross children and a former supermodel turned business magnate.
Mrs. Rhoda Chesterfield (Carolyn Hennesy), the cold-blooded head of the condo board in the building where the Ross family lives, and one of the main antagonist of the series. Her first spat with Jessie and the Ross clan involved Mr. Kipling tearing her clothes up in the elevator. She basically hates anyone who is not rich, who is under 18, or who is less self-absorbed than herself. This sadly doesn't stop her from repeatedly hitting on Bertram, or lavishing too much affection on her chihuahua, Zeus.
Officer Petey (Joey Richter), a police officer who is strangely obsessed with the performing arts. In fact, he wanted to be an actor.
Nanny Agatha (Jennifer Veal), an ugly English nanny who forbids Jessie from taking the Ross kids to Central Park. She ends up putting pictures of Jessie online that makes her look like a bad nanny. She has a twin sister Angela (Jennifer Veal), whom she cannot stand, who nearly manipulates her way into replacing Jessie, so she decides to tell the truth and help Jessie out.
Connie Thompson (Sierra McCormick), known as "Creepy" Connie is an evil girl who has an obsessive crush on Luke. She appeared in the episode "Creepy Connie Comes a Callin," when she tutors Luke, but also tries to flirt with him. Then, she appeared in the episode "Creepy Connie's Curtain Call," when she auditions for the school play written by Jessie. She causes "accidents" to the female lead and understudies, so she can get the lead role and a kiss with Luke. In the episode "Creepy Connie's Curtain Call," she starts dating Ravi. She also seems to be a fan of Harry Potter.
Episodes
The pilot episode of Jessie was released as a free download via the iTunes Store one week prior to its Disney Channel premiere. Making its official debut on the Disney Channel on September 30, 2011, the series became the network's most-watched premiere on a Friday since September 2008, when The Suite Life on Deck debuted. The premiere of Jessie ranked as the No. 1 telecast at 9 p.m. with a total of 4.6 million total viewers in the target demographics, scoring 2.3 million viewers among kids 6-11 and 1.8 million viewers among tweens 9-14, with an average of 887,000 viewers among adults age 18-49. The most watched episode of Jessie is "Star Wars" with 7.32 million viewers and the least watched episode is "The Kid Whisperer" with 2.29 million viewers.
BY GEORGI PIRGOV
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