Chris Nee | |
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![]() Nee pictured accepting the Peabody for Doc McStuffins | |
Nationality | American |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1996–present |
Notable work | Doc McStuffins Vampirina |
Children | 1 |
Christine [lower-alpha 1] Nee [1] is an American children's television screenwriter and producer. [2] [3] [4] Nee is best known as the creator of Doc McStuffins , which she conceived as Cheers for preschoolers. [1] [5] She has previously worked as an associate producer on several international versions of Sesame Street . [3] [1] [5]
Nee said that while she did not originally connect with any shows because she did not see herself "represented onscreen," she first tried to be an actor. Realizing she couldn't fit in, she worked on scripts for Blue's Clues in 2001 and Wonder Pets , continuing to work as a producer, the latter on Deadliest Catch for two episodes. [3] [6]
Nee conceived of her award-winning show, Doc McStuffins while in the shower after her son had visited the doctor for asthma a few days before. It was her idea to make the lead character female and she readily agreed when Nancy Kanter, the creative head of Disney Junior, suggested that she should be African-American. [6] Although some at Disney were hesitant originally that a show with a female lead "might not have mass appeal," this did not deter Kanter, and within a year of the show's release in 2012, "merchandise generated about $500 million in sales." Nee said she was very pleased that her character had unusual background for a TV character, and hoped this would influence the next generation. [2]
Nee was the executive producer and developer of the Disney Junior series, Vampirina , based on the children's picture book Vampirina Ballerina. [7] The series, which featured many of the same staff who worked on Doc McStuffins, premiered on October 1, 2017, and ended on June 28, 2021 after 3 seasons and 75 episodes during its 4-year run.
In April 2019, Nee joined other WGA writers in firing their agents as part of the WGA's stand against the ATA and the practice of packaging. [8]
On July 4, 2021, a 10-part series of animated music videos, which Nee created, titled We the People , premiered on Netflix. Kenya Barris was also a showrunner and the series was produced by Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. [9] [10] On July 13, 2021, Ridley Jones , an animated series for children, is set to debut on the same network. It is part of a slate of animated preschool series on the streaming service, with others including Spirit Rangers, and Ada Twist, Scientist, of which Nee is the showrunner. [11] Dino Daycare was originally part of this slate.
On April 29, 2022, it was announced that Dino Daycare was scrapped. [12]
Nee is of Irish descent. At age 18, during the 1980s, Nee came out as lesbian. In June 2021, she described herself as a gay and "relatively butch" woman. [6] She has one child. [6]
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2001 | Blue's Clues | Writer (2 episodes) |
2001–03 | Little Bill | Writer (5 episodes) |
2003–05 | Oobi | Head writer (season 2), staff writer (season 3) |
2004 | Maya & Miguel | Writer (3 episodes) |
2004-07 | Unfabulous | Writer (16 episodes) |
Higglytown Heroes | Writer (4 episodes) | |
2005 | Deadliest Catch | Producer (2 episodes) [3] |
2005–07 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Writer (6 episodes) |
2006–08 | The Backyardigans | Writer (3 episodes) |
2006-09 | Wonder Pets! | Writer (unknown episodes) |
2007 | Johnny and the Sprites | Teleplay, writer (3 episodes) |
2008–10 | Ni Hao, Kai-Lan | Writer, story editor (12 episodes) |
2009 | Cyberchase | Writer (ep. "Spellbound") |
Casper's Scare School | Writer (3 episodes) | |
2010 | Olivia | Writer (ep. "Olivia Talks Turkey") |
2011 | Guess How Much I Love You | Writer (ep. "The Nest") |
2011–12 | Special Agent Oso | Writer (2 episodes) |
2012–2020 | Doc McStuffins | Creator, executive producer, voice of Emmie and Alma's mom |
2013–14 | Henry Hugglemonster | Writer, lyricist (9 episodes) |
2017 | Nella the Princess Knight | Writer (1 episode) |
2017–2021 | Vampirina | Creator, executive producer, writer, lyricist |
2021–2023 | Ada Twist, Scientist | Developed by, executive producer |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2021 | We the People | Creator, executive producer |
2021 – 2023 | Ridley Jones [13] | Creator, executive producer, writer, lyricist |
2021 – 2023 | Ada Twist, Scientist [14] | Creator, executive producer |
2022 – 2024 | Spirit Rangers [15] | Executive producer |
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Doc McStuffins is an animated children's television series created by Chris Nee and produced by Brown Bag Films. It aired on Disney Junior from March 23, 2012, to April 18, 2020. The series centers on a girl who fixes toys, with help from her four toy friends. The series features songs written and composed by Kay Hanley and Michelle Lewis.
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Goldie & Bear is an American animated fantasy children's television series created by Jorge Aguirre for Disney Junior. The series is produced by Milk Barn Entertainment and Titmouse, Inc in its first and second seasons respectively. Inspired by the fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," the show focuses on Goldie and Bear, who become best friends following an incident at his house.
Vampirina is an American animated children's television series created by Chris Nee. Based on the Vampirina Ballerina series of books written by Anne Marie Pace and published by Disney-Hyperion, the series premiered on Disney Junior and Disney Channel on October 1, 2017. It features much of the staff that has worked on another program created by Nee, Doc McStuffins. Vampirina received generally positive reviews from critics.
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We the People is a 2021 American animated educational television series aiming to teach kids about civics. Each episode is a 4-5 minute animated song by a popular performer. Created by Chris Nee, who executive produced it with Kenya Barris and Barack & Michelle Obama, the series premiered on July 4, 2021 on Netflix.
Ridley Jones is an animated preschool television series created and executive produced by Chris Nee for Netflix. The series premiered on July 13, 2021. A second season debuted on a November 2 release. A third season was released on February 15, 2022. A fourth season was released on August 22, 2022. 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.
Ada Twist, Scientist is an animated preschool television series, based on the eponymous book series by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts. Developed and executive produced by Chris Nee for Netflix, the series premiered on September 28, 2021. A second season was released on January 25, 2022, followed by a third season on September 12, 2022, and the fourth season on April 22, 2023.
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