After nearly three decades of playing Jessie, Joan Cusack says she now feels she has a much stronger grasp of the craft of voice acting than she did in the character’s early years. Since making her debut in Toy Story 2, the spirited cowgirl, Jessie has become a fan favorite, standing alongside Woody and Buzz Lightyear as one of the series’ defining personalities. As Toy Story 5 prepares to bring audiences back into the world of Andy’s toys and their new adventures, longtime cast members are reflecting on their journeys with the franchise.

Among them is Joan Cusack, whose connection to Jessie spans generations of moviegoers and has evolved significantly since she first stepped into the recording booth.

Joan Cusack reflects on mastering the art of bringing Jessie to life in Toy Story 5

While attending the London premiere of Toy Story 5, Joan Cusack reflected on how her approach to voicing Jessie has transformed over the years. The actress, who made a rare red-carpet appearance after 11 years, spoke about the unique challenges of voice acting and how she has gradually developed a stronger understanding of the craft. Speaking to Deadline at the event, Cusack explained that she now views voice performance very differently than she did when she first joined the franchise.

“I realized there’s like a real craft to it. Like because you can’t use your face or your body and you just have to use your voice. It’s kind of really hard because you don’t hear your voice that way, that potently. What’s cool is like Andrew Stanton who’s the director of it, he can hear it,” she said. “Over the years he pushes you to get it and I feel like this time I felt like I had the craft for it and I could do it better,” she told Deadline. 

The actress credited director Andrew Stanton for helping her refine the performance over multiple films. According to Cusack, years of experience and Stanton’s guidance have given her a deeper appreciation for the technical side of voice acting, allowing her to approach Jessie with greater confidence in Toy Story 5 than ever before.

With Cusack feeling more comfortable in the role than she did during earlier installments, fans can expect a fresh yet familiar take on Jessie when the beloved cowgirl returns to the big screen.

A nostalgic London premiere sets the stage for Jessie’s biggest adventure yet

The UK premiere of Toy Story 5 took place at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 28, 2026, bringing together many of the franchise’s most recognizable voices. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, and other cast members reunited for the celebration, recreating the iconic “Andy’s coming!” pose and interacting with young fans during the event. The evening highlighted both the nostalgia surrounding the series and the excitement for its next chapter.

This installment places Jessie at the center of the story as she takes on a larger leadership role among Bonnie’s toys. Set after the events of Toy Story 4, the film explores how traditional toys compete for a child’s attention in an increasingly digital world. Bonnie, now eight years old, becomes fascinated with a high-tech frog-shaped tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee, forcing Jessie, Buzz, and the rest of the gang to confront a new challenge: technology replacing playtime.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, Toy Story 5 also features returning voices including Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Wallace Shawn, Kristen Schaal, Blake Clark, and John Ratzenberger, alongside newcomers Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Alan Cumming, and Bad Bunny. The film arrives exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026.

As anticipation builds for the franchise’s return, Cusack’s comments offer a reminder of how much care and growth go into bringing these iconic characters to life. With Jessie stepping into a larger spotlight, Toy Story 5 looks poised to give longtime fans a heartfelt new adventure while introducing the beloved cowgirl to a new generation.

Are you excited to see Jessie take center stage in Toy Story 5? Let us know in the comments!