Ridley Jones[2] is an American animated preschool children's television series[3] created and executive produced by Chris Nee for Netflix.[4][2] The series premiered on July 13, 2021.[5] A second season debuted on a November 2 release.[6] A third season was released on February 15, 2022.[7] A fourth season was released on August 22, 2022.[8] A fifth season was released on March 6, 2023. The series was allegedly cancelled as a reaction to the introduction of a non-binary character.[9]

Ridley Jones
Season 1 promotional poster
GenrePreschool
Action
Adventure
Musical
Fantasy
Comedy drama
Created byChris Nee[1]
Directed by
  • John Musumeci
  • Rob Byrne
Voices of
  • Iara Nemirovsky
  • Iris Menas
  • Tyler Shamy
  • Ashlyn Madden
Theme music composer
  • Chris Nee
  • Christopher Dimond
  • Michael Kooman
Composers
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Ireland
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes35 (53 segments)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Theresa Mayer
  • PeeDee Shindell
Animators
  • Francesco Malin
  • Abhishek Srivastav
  • Shradha Tripathy
Editors
  • Thomas Byrne
  • Beth Elston
Running time27–28 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13) –
March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Plot

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The series is set in a world similar to Night at the Museum with key elements shared between the two.

The series takes place in a museum where the exhibits and displays come to life via magic. The Jones family, who live inside a treehouse at the center of the building, have been protectors of the museum's secrets for generations, and the latest candidate for the position is Ridley, who only recently learned about the exhibits coming to life. As she continues to earn her role, she gathers a team of other museum display models to help contain the chaos and care for those who need it, all while making sure that everyone is safe and happy – without the outside world learning about the museum's secrets.

LGBTQ+

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Ridley Jones embraces the LGBTQ+ community and introduces pronouns (i.e queer, lesbian, non-binary identity etc.)[10]

Voice cast

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Main

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  • Iara Nemirovsky as Ridley Jones,[11] a young girl who trains and eventually becomes the museum's protector with a team consisting of herself and other museum exhibits.
  • Iris Menas as Winifred "Fred",[11][12] a non-binary bison display model and a member of Ridley's team.
  • Tyler Shamy as Dante,[13] a parasaurolophus display model in a blue knit cap and a member of Ridley's team. Dante speaks in skater lingo and typically carries and rides a skateboard.
  • Ashlyn Madden as Ismat,[13] a young mummy and a member of Ridley's team. She holds the distinction of being the only group member other than Ridley to have relatives revealed onscreen, those being 2 fathers.
  • David Errigo Jr. as Dudley, a dodo bird display model and a member of Ridley's team. According to an interview, Errigo based the voice for Dudley on legendary actor and comedian Ed Wynn, albeit without Wynn's trademark lisp.
  • Laraine Newman as Peaches, a replica model of Ham, the astrochimp who was the first great ape in space. She serves as tech support for Ridley's team.
  • Dee Bradley Baker as Tibby, a fossil Triceratops who is adopted by Ridley.

Supporting

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  • Blythe Danner as Sylvia Jones, Sarah's mother and Ridley's grandmother.
  • Sutton Foster as Sarah Jones, Sylvia's daughter and Ridley's mother.
    • Foster also voices Mrs. Sanchez, a large blue whale display model who hangs from the museum's ceiling.
  • Chris Nee as Ma
  • Bob Bergen as Pa
    • Bergen also voices Mr. Filbert Peabody, the greedy museum curator who cares only about profiting from the museum exhibits and feeling the need to interfere in the business of others. As a result, while the Jones family respects him, they rarely tolerate his behavior and actions.
  • Sydney Mikayla as Penelope "Penny" Peabody, Filbert's niece.

Minor

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  • Sander Argabrite as Pedro, a young penguin display model who idolizes Ridley. He is often seen getting into trouble.
  • Jane Lynch as Lonny, the museum's well-meaning but clumsy security guard. In Season 5 she now knows about the Jones family's secret.
  • Laraine Newman as Luann
  • Dave Boat as Nukilik "Nuki", a Woolly Mammoth display model and Sylvia's best friend during her youth. Nukilik was frozen in the arctic exhibit several years before he was rediscovered by Ridley, at which point he reunited with Sylvia.
  • Gisela Adisa as Stella

Episodes

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Series overview

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Series overview
SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally released
1126July 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
295November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
384February 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
495August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
51515March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Season 1 (2021)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Ready or Not, Here I Come"John MusumeciChris NeeJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"Some Like It Hot"Rob ByrneStory by : Chris Nee
Teleplay by : Jeff King

Ready or Not, Here I Come: Ridley discovers that the Museum comes to life at night.

Some Like It Hot: After Pedro goes to the dessert exhibit to go on an adventure like Ridley, the gang must save Pedro out of the exhibit before he gets in danger.

Songs: "I'm Ready" and "The Eyes of the Museum"
22"Fly Like an Eagle"Rob ByrneStory by : Chris Nee
Teleplay by : Jeff King
July 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"My Dinner with Ismat"Jeff King

Fly Like an Eagle:

My Dinner with Ismat:

Songs: "One of a Kind" and "My Two Dads and Me"
33"Un-Fit for a Queen"John MusumeciIsabel GalupoJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"Peaches, We Have a Problem"Lisa Kettle

Un-Fit for a Queen:

Peaches, We Have a Problem:

Songs: "Royally Afraid" and "Rise Above"
44"The Taming of the Tail"Rob ByrneLisa KettleJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"Tunnel Vision"John Musumeci

The Taming of the Tail:

Tunnel Vision:

Songs: "The Tale of Me and My Tail" and "Way Too Different to Get Along"
55"Ridley's Babysitter Club"John MusumeciGabrielle MeyerJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"Riddle Me This"Rob ByrneLaura Sreebny

Ridley's Babysitter Club:

Riddle Me This:

Songs: "Museum Lullaby" and "The Riddle of the Sphinx"
66"A Knight's Tale"Rob ByrneGabrielle MeyerJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
"Dudley's Inferno"John MusumeciLisa Kettle

A Knight's Tale:

Dudley's Inferno:

Songs: "You're a Hero" and "Goodbye"

Season 2 (2021)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
71"Bison Ball"John MusumeciChris NeeNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
"Dude, Where's Our Egg?"Rob ByrneJeff King

Bison Ball: Fred finds the perfect outfit to feel like themselves for the museum prom.

Dude, Where's Our Egg?: Dudley and Dante find an egg and compete to see who'll be the best big brother.

Songs: "Inner Me" and "My Little Bro"
82"Northern Lights"Rob ByrneKent RedekerNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
"Slow Place Like Home"Anna MargiottaMia Resella

Northern Lights: Ridley meets her grandma's furry friend and turns a bummer day around with beautiful lights.

Slow Place Like Home: The Eyes try to make a group of sloths feel at home.

Songs: "Can't Let a Bummer Let You Down" and "Make You Feel at Home"
93"A Stamp for Mama"John MusumeciGabrielle MeyerNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
"Fred Steps Up"Rob ByrneLisa Kettle

A Stamp for Mama: Ridley and her mama team up on a mission to fix an Aztec artifact.

Fred Steps Up: Fred takes charge and herds a group of butterflies to the pollination exhibit.

Songs: "My Greatest Quest" and "Lead the Herd"
104"Compass Eye of the Storm"Rob ByrneJeff King & Chris NeeNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)

While Ridley waits for her own Compass Eye, Mr. Peabody causes the museum's magic to get messy and kicks off crazy storms throughout the exhibit.

Songs: "I'm So Ready", "I'm Not Ready" and "I'm Ready (Reprise)"
115"The Trailblazers"Rob ByrneLisa KettleNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
"Moles Shall Overcome"John MusumeciKent Redeker

The Trailblazers : Ridley learns to accept a helping hand during a desert journey with a statue.

Moles Shall Overcome: The Eyes make sure the moles don't lose their home to Mr. Peabody's plans.

Songs: "It's All Me" and "Stand as One"

Season 3 (2022)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
121"Peaches Beyond the Infinite"John MusumeciKent RedekerFebruary 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
"A Quiet Chase"Rob ByrneJen Bardekoff

Peaches Beyond the Infinite: Ridley and pals suit up in astronaut gear to find a lost exhibit in outer space.

A Quiet Chase: The Eyes must keep quiet while looking for a drum-loving mouse friend.

Songs: "The Beauty of Outer Space", "Bog Is a State of Mind" and "The Eye of the Museum (Remix)".
132"Rocket Monkey"Rob ByrneStory by : Jeff King
Teleplay by : Johnny LaZebnik
February 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
"Masked Mayhem"John MusumeciKent Redeker

Rocket Monkey: Peaches learns to ask for back-up during a mission to space.

Masked Mayhem: Strange things start to happen when Mr. Peabody and Lonny try on alive masks from a new exhibit, because of the curse.

Songs: "Along for the Ride" and "Do What's Right"
143"Art of the Steal"Anna MargiottaLisa KettleFebruary 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
"Gift of the Mummy"John MusumeciStory by : Jeff King
Teleplay by : Ford Riley

Art of the Steal: Ridley runs into trouble after sneaking a priceless portrait out of the storage before Mr. Peabody finds it.

Gift of the Mummy: Ismat tries to find the perfect gift for her dads' anniversary but learns that their gift is her.

Songs: "Art of the Steal", "The Greatest Gifts" and "The Greatest Gifts (Reprise)"
154"The Good, The Bad and the Chuck Wagon"Rob ByrneLisa KettleFebruary 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
"Annie-Place But Here"John MusumeciJeff King

The Good, The Bad and The Chuck Wagon: Ridley goes treasure hunting in an old mine to save her family's treehouse before Mr. Peabody gets rid of it.

Annie-Place But Here: Ridley and her mom try to find a new home for their museum's greeting robot, Annie.

Songs: "Home" and "Change Can Be Good"

Season 4 (2022)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
161"Museum Misunderstanding"John MusumeciMia ResellaAugust 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
"Nuki Finds a Home"Rob ByrneKent Redeker
Songs: "That's What I Heard" and "Where This Mammoth Belongs"
172"All Ismat's Eve"John MusumeciMia ResellaAugust 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
"Dastardly Derples"Rob ByrneKent Redeker
Songs: "Mummy Thunder" and "Keeping It Real"
183"The Termite-ator"Rob ByrneJackie LebovitsAugust 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
"Birds of Paradise"John MusumeciMia Resella
Songs: "For the Greater Good" and "Welcome to Our Island"
194"Escape Tomb"Rob ByrneMia ResellaAugust 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
"Dante the Daredevil"Anna MargiottaStory by : Jeff King
Teleplay by : Ford Riley
Songs: "Tough Like You" and "On the Hunt"
205"Heart of the Museum"John MusumeciJeff King & Chris NeeAugust 22, 2022 (2022-08-22)
Songs: "Me!" and "All of You"

Season 5 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
211"Jones to the Future"Rob Byrne
John Musumeci
Chris Nee
Jeff King
March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Ridley travels to the past to change the present but accidentally alters the future. Time to go back and fix it -- fast!

Songs: A Hero Again, Boom, Choose To Be A Team and It's Okay
222"Ms. Peabody, I Presume?"Anna MargiottaGabrielle MeyerMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Mr. Peabody's nice Penny is visiting the museum for the night. She seems nice, but can she be trusted with all the museum's secrets?

Songs: "Now I See"
233"Flight School Dropout"Anna MargiottaLizzie PrestelMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

When a cooler, more confident Dudley dives headfirst into a dangerous mission, Ridley and the Eyes follow him to the Arctic to make sure he's OK.

Songs: "Cool Like Me"
244"Dudley's Jurassic Rescue"Rob ByrneKent RedekerMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Dante leads the team on a dino-tastic adventure: freeing a mama stegosaurus' tail from a fallen rock and rescuing her stolen egg from rascally raptors!

Songs: "Totally Jurassic"
255"Lonny's Ready!"John MusumeciJackie LebovitsMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Security guard Lonny joins the gang on a mission to find a missing gem. She's making mistakes, but that's OK. Nobody's perfect!

Songs: "Nobody's Perfect"
266"Makin' Waves"Anna MargiottaJen BardekoffMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

Shiver me timbers! Ridley and the gang make a feisty new crew of friends when the museum opens up the Queen Barnacle, a life-sized pirate exhibit.

Songs: "Oceans Away"
277"Ismat's Cat-tashtrophe"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: Love Gets Bigger
288"Happy Herd Day"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: The Truest You
299"Dino Versus Dodo"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: Drop the Beat
3010"Ready, Pet, Go"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: Family
3111"Mummy Makeover"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: I'll Be Me
3212"Peaches' Space Race"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: Enjoy the Ride
3313"Pedro Busts a Move"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: No Matter Where You Are
3414"Ridley's Christmas Carol"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: Mr. Peabody's Glorius and Wonderful (and Trademarked) Christmas Carol, The Joy of Christmas, Peabody's Near Epiphany and The Joy of Christmas (reprise)
3515"Game of Jones"UnknownUnknownMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Songs: I'll Take What's Mine and That's What Heroes Do

Production

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The series was first announced in October 2020.[2]

Release

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Ridley Jones was released on Netflix on July 13, 2021.[13] A trailer was released on June 8.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ Low, Elaine (July 7, 2021). "'Doc McStuffins' Creator Chris Nee on Her First Netflix Show, 'Ridley Jones': Adventurous Girls, Museum Life and a Nonbinary Bison Named Fred". Variety. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Chris Nee Unveils First Slate of Netflix Animated Preschool Series For Kids Around The World". Netflix Media Center (Press release). October 15, 2020. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Vanderberg, Madison (June 13, 2021). "'Ridley Jones' To Feature First Nonbinary Character In A Netflix Preschool Show". Scary Mommy. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Haridasani Gupta, Alisha (June 20, 2021). "She Never Saw Herself in Children's TV Shows. So She Created Her Own". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Netflix Releases Trailer and Poster for Chris Nee's 'Ridley Jones'". Animation World Network. June 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Netflix Jr. (September 30, 2021). "Ridley Jones Season 2 Trailer". Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Global TV & Streaming News Bytes". January 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "Global TV & Streaming News Bytes". July 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Nee, Chris [@chrisdocnee] (March 9, 2023). "Oh and yes, this is the end of the series. They cancelled us after what they just put out..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "This Lesbian TV Series Creator Made a Show with a Non-Binary Bison and a Strong Female Lead". Pride Source. September 10, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Ridley Jones, Netflix's animated series for preschoolers, boasts female lead and non-binary bison Fred". First Post. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  12. ^ Elber, Lynn (July 6, 2021). "Preschool show boasts girl power, plus nonbinary bison Fred". AP News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d Milligan, Mercedes (June 8, 2021). "First Look: Chris Nee's 'Ridley Jones' Is Netflix's Latest Fascinating Pre-K Exhibit". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Netflix (June 8, 2021). Ridley Jones | Official Trailer | NETFLIX. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
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