Jessica debuted as a recurring character in the animated series Rick and Morty in the pilot episode, which premiered on Adult Swim on December 2, 2013. Voiced by Kari Wahlgren, she is depicted with shoulder-length ginger or orange hair, a pale complexion, long eyelashes, and a pear-shaped figure. Typically dressed in casual attire, such as a pale cyan polo shirt and purple skirt, Jessica serves primarily as the object of Morty Smith's longstanding romantic affection, appearing initially in brief scenes where Morty expresses his infatuation, often interrupting family moments to pursue opportunities to interact with her.

Throughout the early seasons, Jessica is portrayed as a popular, somewhat aloof classmate who remains largely oblivious to Morty's deeper feelings, occasionally engaging in friendly but platonic conversations. Her character functions as a catalyst for Morty's personal growth and misadventures, notably in "Rick Potion #9" (Season 1, Episode 6), where Morty's attempt to use a love potion on her leads to catastrophic consequences, and in "Rest and Ricklaxation" (Season 3, Episode 6), where a confident version of Morty briefly dates her. These interactions highlight her as intelligent and socially adept, yet distant from the show's central multiversal chaos.

Jessica experiences substantial development in later seasons, particularly in "Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat" (Season 4, Episode 1), influencing Morty's actions across timelines, and most notably in the Season 5 premiere "Mort Dinner Rick Andre," where she is inadvertently frozen in time for centuries by a robotic entity. Upon rescue, she emerges profoundly changed, having contemplated the entirety of temporal existence, achieving a transcendent perspective that renders conventional relationships insignificant. This evolution positions her as an enlightened figure who chooses friendship with Morty over romance, adding philosophical depth and agency to her role amid the series' evolving narrative.