Jesse James Keitel Talks ‘Big Sky’ and the Groundbreaking Role of Jerrie Kennedy [Interview]

When asked what has surprised her the most about the ABC crime drama, Big Sky, a show with twists and turns in every episode, star Jesse James Keitel says that it is simply the presence of her character that’s the real shocker.  

I recently had the chance to speak with the actor and consultant who both brings to life and champions for the newest member of the Dewell/Hoyt team, Jerrie Kennedy. 

“Yeah sure, people get killed left and right and someone is sleeping with someone else, but I think the most surprising thing is that Jerrie Kennedy is on the show and is an empowering role that’s put in harm’s way, but is not harmed,” Keitel explained.

“I think her existence on the show defies a lot of stereotypes and tropes.”

Big Sky‘s treatment of and respect for Jerrie, who is a trans woman, is what she finds to be groundbreaking.

“Instead of focusing on that someone’s casting is groundbreaking, how about if we focus on if the material is groundbreaking—pushing narratives that are beneficial, a departure from bad tropes and stereotypes,” suggested Keitel, who is in the position, officially now, to advocate for mindful storytelling as a consultant for the show.

“The biggest challenge,” she said, “is that I feel a huge sense of responsibility. Whether I’m the first something or the tenth, it doesn’t matter, there’s not a lot of trans representation on TV so I definitely feel profound responsibility to get it right.”

“I’ve been very vocal about when something feels like a missed opportunity or doesn’t ring true to my lived experience as a trans person.”

Playing Jerrie and being a lead on a primetime network series has taught the actor the importance of speaking up on set.

“I think for many reasons I was kind of forced to advocate for myself on Big Sky, advocate for the character, advocate for the trans community,” Keitel recalled. “And even when I didn’t feel most confident in doing it, I inevitably built a ton of confidence in that. So by the time the end of Season 1 came around, I had the confidence to say, ‘I do know what I’m talking about and what I’m saying is correct.'”

Thankfully, production listened and worked with Keitel to flesh out an authentic and nuanced character with Jerrie that was evident from the start and carries over to Season 2. It’s something that was worth fighting for and has become a big asset to Big Sky.

“Even if people didn’t want to hear from me, I felt they needed to. I needed to make sure I was heard. Now I’m in a consultant position in an official capacity on the second season,” Keitel said.

“Ronald really sunk his teeth into everyone, but Jerrie especially,” she said of Jerrie’s frame of mind going into Season 2. “It has kind of shifted her hopes and dreams in a lot of ways, and what she feels is attainable and how she relates to the world.”

Keitel hinted at what is in store for Jerrie.

“I’m really excited for Jerrie’s journey in Season 2. I think for one of the first times on the show, there’s a strong, strong emotional character development that isn’t necessarily plot-based. It’s relationship-based and character-based. It’s relationship first. And I’m really excited for people to see it because I think it’s going to be so major.”

Of the most fun she’s had on the Big Sky set, Keitel said that scenes in the Dewell and Hoyt office with Kylie Bunbury and DeeDee Pfeiffer have been enjoyable to film. “We know that space so well. We’re able to really have fun and make it our own.”

However, Keitel noted moments from Season 1 that were difficult physically and mentally, and dealt with “really intense material,” but were also a lot of fun.

“I think the most fun I have had was in the first half of the first season trapped in the container with Jade Pettyjohn and Natalie Alyn Lind. The chains hurt our ankles, our asses hurt from laying on the hardwood floors, but we laughed so hard,” she recalled.

Our conversation touched on Keitel’s drag background, performing as Peroxide, as well as her screenwriting ambitions. “Drag got me here and I think it might live in my past now,” she stated.

“It changed my life in many ways,” Keitel continued. “I think I learned a lot about myself. Honestly, if everyone did drag the world would be a happier place. You learn so much about yourself and how you relate to the world. I’m excited to see how it bleeds into my life in the future.”

That future, so far, includes a lead role on the upcoming Peacock reboot of Queer As Folk in addition to her own writing projects. 

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to do heavy, heavy sci-fi that I ended writing something for myself to star in that I’m producing at the moment. That’s a dream role, getting to star in a project that I wrote.”

Keitel described the premise as an “AI caretaker who becomes the prime suspect in a high-profile murder investigation or high-profile assassination. One of those two.”

“I would love to play a maternal robot. It sounds like a blast,” she added.

Writing is something Keitel has done since high school with theater and plays. “It’s tangible,” she explained. “It’s something you can hold in your hands and say I wrote this. It’s like a big puzzle — problem-solving in a way that acting just isn’t.”

Whether it’s in front of the camera, behind it, her words on the page, or all of the above, there’s a lot to look forward to coming from Jesse James Keitel.

And from Jerrie Kennedy, too.

“I think we’ve got some really cool stuff coming out soon,” Keitel teased, describing Jerrie’s arc from Season 1 to the middle of Season 2 as “triumphant, and that’s major for network television.”

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Big Sky airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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