*When a show enters its fifth season, most sitcoms either start coasting or crack open a new creative lane. “Abbott Elementary” — ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning workplace comedy — is doing the latter, and Quinta Brunson says the cast and crew have never felt more in sync.
“This is the first one where we feel we’ve gotten into a really fun groove,” Brunson said during the Season 5 press conference. “Our first season was, you know, a first season of TV. The second season was our first time doing 22 episodes. The third was abbreviated to 14 because of strikes. Last season, we got to do 22 again, but this one — it feels like we’re building off everything.”
That “everything” includes not just the show’s growing legacy, but the real-life challenges they’ve faced together.
“We had a lot to deal with in the meantime — like all of us here did — the fires, a lot of life stuff. That was the first time we were impacted like that as a production,” Brunson added. “So this season just feels really fun. We get to get a little silly, a little serious. There are some massive changes coming, and it’ll be fun for audiences to see us go where we didn’t think we would before.”
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During the panel, Brunson also shared a heartfelt full-circle moment involving Sinners director Ryan Coogler. Abbott Elementary’s Halloween episode this season paid homage to the director with — and apparently, Coogler himself took notice.
“I ran into him this weekend at an event where he was being honored, which was just incredible,” Brunson recalled. “He’s somebody I admire so much — I don’t think I admire many people, but I actually admire that man. He came up to me — right before going onstage to do a speech — and he’s like, ‘Yo, the episode!’”
Coogler told Brunson that he first heard about the tribute from a family member.
“He said his auntie sent it to him, which was so special to me,” Brunson said. “We constantly say this is a show for family viewers — for families to watch and share together — so the fact that his aunt sent it to him just meant everything. He and his wife talked about how much it meant to them. It was really beautiful.”
That kind of exchange — where Black creatives recognize and uplift each other — is the heartbeat of Abbott Elementary. It’s a series that celebrates educators, culture, and the communities that shape us, all while keeping the laughs coming.
Sheryl Lee Ralph: “People Don’t Have to Be Nice to You”
Veteran actress and Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph remains the show’s North Star of gratitude and grace. Reflecting on her continued recognition, Ralph told reporters, “It’s the whole fact that your peers — people in the industry — care enough to put your name forward as some of the best. That will never get old to me.”
Ralph, who plays the no-nonsense but big-hearted Barbara Howard, emphasized how fortunate the cast is to be still working steadily.
“People don’t have to be nice to you. People don’t have to recognize you. So when it is done, I am truly grateful,” she said. “We get 22 episodes — that’s joyful right there. There are a lot of people who are not working for a lot of reasons in this industry.”
She added: “After five years, people around the world are watching Abbott Elementary and loving it. When you hear a woman say when she’s feeling down and wants to feel good, she watches our show — that’s powerful. We’ve become a balm for people globally, and that doesn’t happen very often. I’m joyful it’s happening to us.”
And as Quinta hinted, this season promises surprises.
“Things are coming up that I won’t spoil,” she teased, “but they’re big — massive changes for us on all levels.”
“Abbott Elementary” Season 5 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-F on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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