PEYTON LIST ON JESSIE SEASON 2, ACTING AND FASHION
How did you first get involved with acting?
Peyton List reveals that her journey began at a very tender age. She started out in front of the camera as a child model when she was about four years old, a time she recalls with a bright sense of curiosity. A pivotal moment came when she attended her first Broadway production, Wicked, and felt the magic of live performance unfold before her eyes. That moment sparked a desire to pursue acting, a choice that would evolve into a lifelong fascination with storytelling, character, and the energy of the stage. The spark she felt then still guides her today, shaping the way she approaches every role and every screen she touches. It wasn’t just a hobby; it became a path she embraced with enthusiasm and focus, a path that connected her to audiences across Canada and the United States who followed her work on screen and on stage.
How did filming the first season of JESSIE differ from coming back to do the second?
In the first season, the cast was still discovering their rhythm and learning how to work together on a new project. Although Peyton already knew Karan Brar from the Wimpy Kid films, she was meeting most of the other actors for the first time and navigating the daily routines of a Disney production. The experience was a learning curve, with a focus on building confidence, mastering the schedule, and understanding the balance between lighthearted moments and the show’s larger storytelling goals. By the second season, the group had formed strong friendships, and the set felt like a close-knit team. The familiarity translated into a more relaxed, collaborative atmosphere, making the work genuinely enjoyable and the performances feel more spontaneous and natural. For Canadian and American fans, this growth translated into sharper chemistry on screen and a sense of continuity that viewers could really connect with.
Are there any similarities between you and your character Emma?
Both Peyton and Emma share a shared passion for fashion, an element that helps define their outgoing personalities. Peyton even runs her own fashion-focused Instagram, a platform where she expresses her style and personality just as Emma does in her world. The two are described as bubbly and upbeat, frequently riding the ups and downs of adolescence with optimism. They find themselves navigating high school life as freshmen, a stage that brings both challenges and excitement. For fans in the United States and Canada, this parallel makes Emma feel relatable, a character whose spark mirrors a real-life approach to self-expression and friendship.
What’s it like balancing school with acting on JESSIE?
Balancing school with a demanding filming schedule can be tricky, especially during weeks when a larger portion of the episode requires her to be on camera. When an episode demands heavier screen time, Peyton admits that juggling classes can be a challenge. Conversely, during weeks with lighter workload, she manages to devote more time to studies. The setup often includes one-on-one instruction with a teacher, which she finds both efficient and focused. The absence of a crowded classroom makes it easier to stay on top of assignments and maintain a steady routine, allowing her to excel academically while still delivering strong performances on set. This balance is particularly relevant to viewers who value education alongside entertainment, especially in markets across Canada and the United States where screen credits and educational commitments are both highly regarded.
After having had experience acting in both movies and television shows, which would you say is more challenging?
Peyton explains that both formats demand distinct approaches. Filming a movie typically spans about three months, offering more time for careful scene development and a slower, more deliberate pace. In television, especially for a weekly series, episodes are produced in a tight timeline — often around five days per episode — with rapid turnarounds and a multi-camera setup that accelerates the workflow. The different rhythms mean that both styles require adaptability, planning, and an ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances. The contrast is so pronounced that she doesn’t rank one as definitively harder; she values the unique skills each format cultivates. This nuanced view resonates with fans who follow actors’ careers across both formats, including those watching from Canada and the United States who appreciate genre diversity and different production styles.
If you could play a character in the remake of any movie, who would it be and why?
Peyton shares a thoughtful fantasy about taking on a role styled after Grace Kelly. In a project that nods to Rear Window, she would love to portray Grace Kelly herself, drawn by the elegance, poise, and iconic presence that defined an era of cinema. It’s an imaginative idea that reflects her admiration for classic stars and timeless screen charisma. The notion of stepping into such an enduring screen persona is exciting for her, especially given the chance to explore a character who embodies grace, mystery, and strength. For audiences in North America, this remark taps into a broader appreciation for film history and the glories of vintage cinema that continue to inspire new generations of actors.
Thanks, Peyton!
The conversation concludes with a reminder to catch the new episodes of JESSIE on Family Channel, inviting fans across North America to join in the ongoing adventures of Emma and her friends. This interview offers a window into the actor’s journey, the realities of work on a Disney series, and the personal interests that color her performances, from fashion to a love of classic cinema.
Source attribution: Family Channel interview.