James Stewart's Daughter Calls KJ Apa's Turn in Jimmy Eerie

James Stewart's daughter says watching KJ Apa become her father on camera felt eerie.

Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, the daughter of the late actor James Stewart, praised Apa's portrayal in Jimmy ahead of its Nov. 6 premiere, as reported by Deadline. Apa plays Stewart in the film. Stewart-Harcourt is backing the project as well as watching it from close range.

She said Apa "channels him and brings him to life without doing a Jimmy Stewart impersonation." Seeing him in character during filming in Ireland was "eerie," she said. That reaction carries weight. She knew the man, not just the screen image.

Jimmy was directed by Aaron Burns from a script by Justin Strawhand. Stewart-Harcourt serves as executive producer, a senior role that involves helping to guide and support a film, and she also makes a cameo appearance. The production began filming in West Cork, Ireland.

The story follows Stewart after his Oscar win for The Philadelphia Story, when he enlisted as a combat pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force at the start of World War II. It traces his service and his return home to rebuild his acting career. The film is scheduled to open in theatres on Nov. 6, 2026, according to THV11.

Apa is best known to television viewers for Riverdale and also appeared in The Hate U Give. Playing Stewart meant taking on one of Hollywood's most recognisable voices and walks. Stewart-Harcourt's comment suggests Apa leaned toward character rather than imitation.

The film also revisits Stewart's most loved screen moment. Jimmy includes a recreation of a classic scene from It's a Wonderful Life, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. That 1946 film, in which Stewart played George Bailey, remains a holiday staple for many families.

For fans, this means the clearest early signal comes from inside the family. Stewart-Harcourt saw the work on set in Ireland. Her word was eerie.