The series was created by actress Fran Drescher and her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson, and developed by Prudence Fraser and Robert Sternin.

Based on an idea inspired by Drescher's visit with a friend and The Sound of Music, the series revolves around Fran Fine, a Jewish woman from Flushing, Queens, New York, who is hired by a wealthy Broadway producer to be the nanny to his three children.

Drescher stars as the titular character, Charles Shaughnessy as British-born producer Maxwell Sheffield, and the children – Maggie, Brighton and Grace – portrayed by Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury, and Madeline Zima.

[1] After leaving France, Drescher left for the United Kingdom to visit close friend, model and former Princesses co-star Twiggy.

Drescher called her husband, producer Peter Marc Jacobson, and told him her idea of "a takeoff of The Sound of Music, only I come through the door instead of Julie Andrews.