Disney Channel's Jessie to Feature Network's First Engagement

"Jessie is an adult, and we felt we could tackle this in a way that still feels appropriate for our audience," Disney Channel's executive vice president of original programming said

By Alyssa Toomey Apr 17, 2014 10:31 PMTags
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And another unprecedented move for the Disney Channel.

The titular character on the network's hit series Jessie is heading towards the altar. Four episodes will be dedicated to the storyline, which is said to center on 22-year-old Jessie Prescott's relationship with her 25-year-old beau Brooks (Pierson Fode), who pops the question after the two enter a whirlwind romance, marking the first time a lead character on a children's series has gotten engaged.

"Jessie is an adult, and we felt we could tackle this in a way that still feels appropriate for our audience," Adam Bonnett, Disney Channel executive vice president of original programming, said.

In the comedy series, which debuted in 2011, Debby Ryan stars as a young Texas woman who moves to New York City in order to pursue acting and becomes a nanny for a high-profile family with children adopted from India, Africa and America.

According to reports, the romance between Jessie and Brooks will be handled in a very Disney-esque, G-rated fashion, and viewers will see the twosome bond over picnics and other innocent outings.

"The way we deal with this romance is very pure Disney fairy tale," Bonnett said

Ryan tweeted her support for the episode on Wednesday, writing "Okay I've told enough secrets for now. Excited to share this part of my girl's life with you; #JESSIESgettingmarried line."

This isn't the first unprecedented move Disney has made this year. The channel got its Modern Family makeover in late January after opting to air an episode of Good Luck Charlie which featured two lesbian moms.

"This particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisors," a Disney Channel spokesperson told TV Guide of the groundbreaking episode in June. "Like all Disney Channel programming, it was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness."