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Entertainment • TV series

The Nanny

The Nanny is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from 1993 to 1999.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Nanny is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from 1993 to 1999. It stars Fran Drescher as Fran Fine, a fashion saleswoman from Flushing, Queens, who becomes the nanny for three children in a wealthy New York household. The series was created by Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson and later inspired international adaptations.

Premise

The series follows Fran Fine after she becomes the nanny for the three children of wealthy Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield. The show uses her outsider status and working-class background as the basis for its humour and family dynamics.

Production

The Nanny was created by Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson, with inspiration drawn in part from Drescher's own background in Queens. It was produced as a network sitcom for CBS.

Reception and awards

The series received multiple award nominations and won a Rose d'Or and one Emmy Award. Drescher received individual nominations for Golden Globe and Emmy Awards.

International adaptations

The sitcom became a basis for several foreign adaptations. These versions were loosely inspired by the original scripts rather than direct remakes.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Fran Fine, a woman from Queens who becomes nanny to the children of widower Maxwell Sheffield.
  • The show blends sitcom, comedy, and romance elements.
  • It ran for six seasons on CBS from 1993 to 1999.
  • Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson are the creators.
  • The series won a Rose d'Or and one Emmy Award.
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Canadian context

The series has been widely distributed internationally and remains familiar to Canadian viewers through reruns and streaming availability, but it is an American production with no specific Canadian setting or production base.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Nanny about?
It follows Fran Fine, who becomes nanny to the children of wealthy widower Maxwell Sheffield in New York City.
Who created The Nanny?
The series was created by Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson.
When did The Nanny air?
It originally aired on CBS from 1993 to 1999.
How many seasons did The Nanny have?
It ran for 6 seasons.
Did The Nanny win any awards?
Yes. It won a Rose d'Or and one Emmy Award, and also received multiple nominations.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nanny
    Supports: Original run, premise, creators, awards, and foreign adaptations.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106080/
    Supports: Series premise, cast, and original run information.
  3. TVmaze — https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1119/the-nanny
    Supports: Network, show type, episode count, and creators.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70155646
    Supports: Year, genre, creators, and cast listing.