# Ridley Jones

Ridley Jones is an American animated preschool children's 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.

## Plot

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.

## Controversy and cancellation

The Netflix series generated controversy after the eighth episode of the fifth season called "Happy Herd Day" was broadcast on March 6, 2023, in which, the main plot of the episode focuses on a bison named Fred, who is meant to lead the stampede of their herd, but has not told their grandmother that they identify as non-binary and use "they/them" pronouns. They worry about how she will react, but also don't want to lead the stampede as something they are not. In the end, with two minutes to spare, Fred informs their grandmother that they no longer go by Winnefred, identify as non-binary, and use "they/them" pronouns, and they are accepted by their grandmother for who they are. This episode angered a large number of people subscribed to the streaming platform, claiming that said episode was LGBT indoctrination. Netflix responded to user feedback by canceling the series after its fifth and final season.

## Voice cast
### Main

* Iara Nemirovsky as Ridley Jones, 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", a non-binary bison display model and a member of Ridley's team.
* Tyler Shamy as Dante, 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, 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

* 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

* 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
### Series overview

Series overview :
| Season | Segments | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released |
| 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 2 | 9 | 5 | 5 | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-2) | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-2) |
| 3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | August 22, 2022 (2022-8-22) | August 22, 2022 (2022-8-22) |
| 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | March 6, 2023 (2023-3-6) | March 6, 2023 (2023-3-6) |

### Season 1 (2021)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | 1 | "Ready or Not, Here I Come" | John Musumeci | Chris Nee | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 1 | 1 | "Some Like It Hot" | Rob Byrne | Story by : Chris Nee Teleplay by : Jeff King | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 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" ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Fly Like an Eagle" | Rob Byrne | Story by : Chris Nee Teleplay by : Jeff King | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 2 | 2 | "My Dinner with Ismat" | Rob Byrne | Jeff King | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| Fly Like an Eagle: My Dinner with Ismat: Songs: "One of a Kind" and "My Two Dads and Me" ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Un-Fit for a Queen" | John Musumeci | Isabel Galupo | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 3 | 3 | "Peaches, We Have a Problem" | John Musumeci | Lisa Kettle | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| Un-Fit for a Queen: Peaches, We Have a Problem: Songs: "Royally Afraid" and "Rise Above" ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Taming of the Tail" | Rob Byrne | Lisa Kettle | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 4 | 4 | "Tunnel Vision" | John Musumeci | Lisa Kettle | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| The Taming of the Tail: Tunnel Vision: Songs: "The Tale of Me and My Tail" and "Way Too Different to Get Along" ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Ridley's Babysitter Club" | John Musumeci | Gabrielle Meyer | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 5 | 5 | "Riddle Me This" | Rob Byrne | Laura Sreebny | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| Ridley's Babysitter Club: Riddle Me This: Songs: "Museum Lullaby" and "The Riddle of the Sphinx" ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "A Knight's Tale" | Rob Byrne | Gabrielle Meyer | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| 6 | 6 | "Dudley's Inferno" | John Musumeci | Lisa Kettle | July 13, 2021 (2021-7-13) |
| A Knight's Tale: Dudley's Inferno: Songs: "You're a Hero" and "Goodbye" ||||||

### Season 2 (2021)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 7 | 1 | "Bison Ball" | John Musumeci | Chris Nee | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 7 | 1 | "Dude, Where's Our Egg?" | Rob Byrne | Jeff King | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 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" ||||||
| 8 | 2 | "Northern Lights" | Rob Byrne | Kent Redeker | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 8 | 2 | "Slow Place Like Home" | Anna Margiotta | Mia Resella | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 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" ||||||
| 9 | 3 | "A Stamp for Mama" | John Musumeci | Gabrielle Meyer | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 9 | 3 | "Fred Steps Up" | Rob Byrne | Lisa Kettle | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 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" ||||||
| 10 | 4 | "Compass Eye of the Storm" | Rob Byrne | Jeff King & Chris Nee | November 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)" ||||||
| 11 | 5 | "The Trailblazers" | Rob Byrne | Lisa Kettle | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 11 | 5 | "Moles Shall Overcome" | John Musumeci | Kent Redeker | November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) |
| 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)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 12 | 1 | "Peaches Beyond the Infinite" | John Musumeci | Kent Redeker | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 12 | 1 | "A Quiet Chase" | Rob Byrne | Jen Bardekoff | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 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)". ||||||
| 13 | 2 | "Rocket Monkey" | Rob Byrne | Story by : Jeff King Teleplay by : Johnny LaZebnik | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 13 | 2 | "Masked Mayhem" | John Musumeci | Kent Redeker | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 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" ||||||
| 14 | 3 | "Art of the Steal" | Anna Margiotta | Lisa Kettle | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 14 | 3 | "Gift of the Mummy" | John Musumeci | Story by : Jeff King Teleplay by : Ford Riley | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 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)" ||||||
| 15 | 4 | "The Good, The Bad and the Chuck Wagon" | Rob Byrne | Lisa Kettle | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 15 | 4 | "Annie-Place But Here" | John Musumeci | Jeff King | February 15, 2022 (2022-2-15) |
| 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)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 16 | 1 | "Museum Misunderstanding" | John Musumeci | Mia Resella | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| 16 | 1 | "Nuki Finds a Home" | Rob Byrne | Kent Redeker | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| Songs: "That's What I Heard" and "Where This Mammoth Belongs" ||||||
| 17 | 2 | "All Ismat's Eve" | John Musumeci | Mia Resella | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| 17 | 2 | "Dastardly Derples" | Rob Byrne | Kent Redeker | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| Songs: "Mummy Thunder" and "Keeping It Real" ||||||
| 18 | 3 | "The Termite-ator" | Rob Byrne | Jackie Lebovits | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| 18 | 3 | "Birds of Paradise" | John Musumeci | Mia Resella | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| Songs: "For the Greater Good" and "Welcome to Our Island" ||||||
| 19 | 4 | "Escape Tomb" | Rob Byrne | Mia Resella | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| 19 | 4 | "Dante the Daredevil" | Anna Margiotta | Story by : Jeff King Teleplay by : Ford Riley | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| Songs: "Tough Like You" and "On the Hunt" ||||||
| 20 | 5 | "Heart of the Museum" | John Musumeci | Jeff King & Chris Nee | August 22, 2022 (2022-08-22) |
| Songs: "Me!" and "All of You" ||||||

### Season 5 (2023)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 21 | 1 | "Jones to the Future" | Rob ByrneJohn Musumeci | Chris NeeJeff 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 ||||||
| 22 | 2 | "Ms. Peabody, I Presume?" | Anna Margiotta | Gabrielle Meyer | March 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" ||||||
| 23 | 3 | "Flight School Dropout" | Anna Margiotta | Lizzie Prestel | March 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" ||||||
| 24 | 4 | "Dudley's Jurassic Rescue" | Rob Byrne | Kent Redeker | March 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" ||||||
| 25 | 5 | "Lonny's Ready!" | John Musumeci | Jackie Lebovits | March 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" ||||||
| 26 | 6 | "Makin' Waves" | Anna Margiotta | Jen Bardekoff | March 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" ||||||
| 27 | 7 | "Ismat's Cat-tashtrophe" | Anna Margiotta | Jen Bardekoff | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: Love Gets Bigger ||||||
| 28 | 8 | "Happy Herd Day" | Rob Byrne | Story by : Chris Nee & Jen Bardekoff Teleplay by : Mia Resella & Jen Bardekoff | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: The Truest You ||||||
| 29 | 9 | "Dino Versus Dodo" | John Musumeci | Kent Redeker | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: Drop the Beat ||||||
| 30 | 10 | "Ready, Pet, Go" | Anna Margiotta | Jackie Lebovits | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: Family ||||||
| 31 | 11 | "Mummy Makeover" | Anna Margiotta | Ivory Floyd | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: I'll Be Me ||||||
| 32 | 12 | "Peaches' Space Race" | Rob Byrne | Story by : Kent Redeker & Jeff King Teleplay by : Laura Sreebny | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: Enjoy the Ride ||||||
| 33 | 13 | "Pedro Busts a Move" | John Musumeci | Story by : Jen Bardekoff Teleplay by : Joey Clift | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: No Matter Where You Are ||||||
| 34 | 14 | "Ridley's Christmas Carol" | Rob Byrne | Chris Nee & Jen Bardekoff | March 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) ||||||
| 35 | 15 | "Game of Jones" | John Musumeci | Kent Redeker | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) |
| Songs: I'll Take What's Mine and That's What Heroes Do ||||||

## Production

The series was first announced in October 2020.

## Release

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