Dublin, Ireland-based prodco JAM Media is gearing up for the premiere of its new hybrid preschool series Jessy & Nessy (pictured) on Amazon Prime Video, set to roll out later this year.
Created by the company’s head of development Chris Dicker, the 40 x 11-minute series is about a curious girl whose magical spectacles give her access to a hidden world inhabited by animated characters. With the help of her new best friend—a 5,500-year-old sea monster who loves pickles—Jessy seeks answers to everyday questions like why birds fly south and why some people snore.
CEO John Rice and CCO Alan Shannon are executive producing for JAM, while development exec Michelle Sullivan is the executive in charge for Amazon Studios. Emmy Award-winner Peter K. Hirsch (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Arthur) is serving as head writer.
Jessy & Nessy follows the US premiere of Becca’s Bunch on Nickelodeon, another mixed-media project from JAM. The series bowed on Nick internationally last July and was also picked up by ABC Australia, CBC Kids (Canada) and France Télévisions. JAKKS Pacific signed on as exclusive global master toy partner in October.
Amazon, meanwhile, launched its newest original kids show Costume Quest, on March 8. The video game adaptation is a co-pro between Amazon, LA-headquartered Frederator, Wellsville Productions and Double Fine Productions.
Since 2014, Amazon has introduced 20 original kids series, including Tumble Leaf, Just Add Magic, Annedroids, Dino Dana, The Dangerous Book for Boys, Niko and the Sword of Light and Lost in Oz. Newer series Pete the Cat from Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (Phineas and Ferb) and Appian Way Production Company bowed globally in September, while Do, Re & Mi from Gaumont and Kristen Bell is currently in production.