IN CONVERSATION WITH JESSIE PREZ
interview by JANA LETONJA
Jessie Prez is bringing wit, grit, and heart to primetime television in the second season of ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’, premiering on 16th October on CBS and Paramount+. A spinoff of ‘Young Sheldon’ and set in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ universe, the hit comedy follows Georgie and Mandy as they raise their family in Texas. On screen, Jessie’s appeared in ‘Shameless’, ‘Bosch: Legacy’, ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’, ‘The Rookie: Feds’, ‘Abbott Elementary’, and most recently as notorious drug dealer Sal Magluta in Netflix’s ‘Griselda’. With his breakout role in ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’, he is a rising star bringing his Chicago roots and versatile talent to television’s biggest stages.
Season two of ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ is about to premiere. How does Ruben’s role expand this season compared to season one?
This new season, we get to see a lot more of Ruben’s world, not just who he is around Georgie, but who he is when the pressure is on. In Season 1, he was more of a rival, the guy stirring things up. But in Season 2, we see him stepping into his own as a business partner, a friend, and even as a person figuring out what he wants out of life. There’s more heart, more humor, and a few moments that really show what makes him tick.
Ruben and Georgie have gone from rivals to business partners. What has been the most fun part of playing out that evolution?
The evolution's been wild. Ruben and Georgie started as total opposites, constantly clashing and competing with each other. While you'll still see that in Season 2, now they're running a business together. Playing that journey, especially with the chemistry we've built on set, has been one of the highlights for me. There are moments where you're laughing nonstop, and then others where you realize "Oh, these guys actually care about each other." That balance has been the best part.
Without giving too much away, what can audiences expect from the “rival tire shop” storyline this season?
Audiences can expect a lot of laughs, but also a little bit of heart. Fagenbacher storyline tests Georgie and Ruben’s loyalty, their business sense, and honestly their patience with each other. It’s one of those arcs where you really see how far they’ve come as friends and partners, even when the world throws them a curveball. Oh, did I mention I do my own stunts.
This show comes from one of the most beloved TV universes. How does it feel to be part of the legacy that started with ‘The Big Bang Theory’?
It’s honestly surreal. You grow up watching a show like ‘The Big Bang Theory’, something that became such a huge part of pop culture and now to be part of that same universe, it’s wild. But what makes it special is how much heart this show has. We’re continuing that tradition of great characters and real stories, just told through a whole new lens.
Do you see Ruben as a character who might surprise audiences with more depth than they expect in a sitcom?
Definitely. Ruben’s the kind of guy who seems like just comic relief at first, funny, confident, always talking big, but you realize there’s a lot more under the hood. As the season goes on, you start to see why he is the way he is. He’s got heart, he’s got pride, and he’s just trying to find his place. I think people are going to be able to relate to Ruben as well as be surprised by how much depth there is behind the laughs.
You started in Chicago’s storefront theater community. How did those early experiences shape the actor you are today?
Storefront Theater shaped me as a person as much as it shaped me as an actor. It’s that space and community that opened me up to so many different perspectives. There’s something raw and honest about storefront theater, no frills, no safety net, just pure storytelling. It taught me how to hustle, collaborate, and stay grounded. I carry that same energy with me on every project.
Was there a particular role or moment when you felt like you had really “broken through” in the industry?
You know, it’s funny, I don’t think there was one big “breakthrough” moment. For me, it’s been a bunch of small ones that added up over time. Each job, from Chicago storefront to my first TV credit, felt like a step forward. But I will say, there was a point where I stopped chasing validation and started trusting my craft, that’s when things started opening up.
Growing up in Chicago, what inspired you to pursue acting?
Chicago raised me to appreciate honesty and that’s what acting is at its core. Growing up as a first generation Assyrian American, opportunities didn’t always come easy. That city taught me to show up, work hard, and mean what you say and that’s exactly what I try to bring to every role. Chicago raised me to tell stories from the heart.
When you’re not on set, how do you recharge creatively?
I step away from the noise. I hang with my people, eat something great, and maybe catch a movie. I’m also a sucker for video games. For me, creativity comes from living, so I make sure to keep living between the takes.
With this big season of ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ ahead, what’s next for you? Are there roles or genres you’re eager to explore?
Right now, I’m just really grateful to be part of this world, and this season it’s been such a gift. However, I’m always eager to explore more. I’d love to dive into something dramatic or gritty next, maybe a film or a limited series that really challenges me. I want to keep finding roles that feel honest and push me to grow.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography TONY MOUX
creative direction and grooming OLIVIA SHIPMAN
styling RIMA VAIDILA