DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS THIRD SEASON OF THE POPULAR COMEDY SERIES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES, "JESSIE"

-- Molly Shannon, Kate Flannery and James Patrick Stuart Guest Star in the Season Two Finale --

Jessie and the Ross kids will return for a third season in the popular comedy series for kids and families "Jessie," it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide. Production resumes in Los Angeles in July. Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in fall 2013.

2013 to-date, "Jessie" is TV's #1 series in its time period among Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11 and Tweens. For 2012, it was the #2 TV series among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 and #3 among Tweens.

Bonnett said, "Season 3 of 'Jessie' will continue to spotlight the impressive comedic talents of Debby Ryan." He continued, "Our viewers deeply connect with this cast of characters, and the upcoming season will focus on the Ross kids beginning to navigate young adulthood while challenging their favorite nanny with new and entertaining situations."

In the season two finale airing this September, Molly Shannon ("Saturday Night Live") guest stars as Jessie's stepmother-to-be. The storyline finds an excited Jessie returning to Texas with the Ross kids in tow. She shows the kids the military base where she was raised and introduces them to her father -- only to learn the surprising news that he is engaged to be married. Also guest starring are James Patrick Stuart ("Supernatural") as Jessie's dad, Lt. Colonel John Wayne "J.W." Prescott and Kate Flannery ("The Office") as Corporal Cookie.

Set in bustling New York City, Jessie is a nanny for the high-profile Ross Family-- 14-year-old Emma, the biological child of the bunch, 11-year-old Indian adoptee Ravi, 12-year-old American adoptee Luke and eight-year-old African adoptee Zuri. Helping her to navigate young-adulthood are Bertram, the family's beloved, yet frosty butler, and Tony, her boyfriend and the building's doorman.

Starring are Debby Ryan as Jessie ("The Suite Life on Deck"); Kevin Chamberlin (Broadway's "The Addams Family," "Teen Beach Movie") as Bertram; Peyton List ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days") as Emma; Karan Brar ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid") as Ravi; Cameron Boyce ("Grown Ups 2") as Luke and Skai Jackson ("Royal Pains") as Zuri.

The live-action comedy series was created by Pamela Eells O'Connell ("Family Matters," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "The Suite Life on Deck"), who serves as executive producer. Debby Ryan is a co-producer.

New episodes of "Jessie" air FRIDAYS on Disney Channel. The series is a production of It's A Laugh Productions, Inc and carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

[Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, 2012 and 12/31/12-3/17/13, most current.]