Abbott Elementary season 3 explained

Season Number:	3
Bgcolour:	425A73
Network:	ABC
Num Episodes:	14
Episode List:	List of Abbott Elementary episodes

The third season of the American television comedy Abbott Elementary created by Quinta Brunson premiered in the United States on ABC on February 7, 2024, and concluded on May 22. The season consisted of 14 episodes, fewer episodes than usual due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.^[1] Like the previous season, the season stars Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Abbott Elementary is presented in a mockumentary format similar to one of The Office and Modern Family, and follows a documentary crew recording the lives of teachers working in underfunded schools including the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School, a predominantly Black Philadelphia public school. Three days after the season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season.^[2]

Cast and characters

See main article: List of Abbott Elementary characters.

Main

• Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, a second-grade teacher at Abbott and hopes to improve the lives of her students by making the best of the poor situation the school district makes teachers work in. At the beginning of the season, she begins working for the school district.
• Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, a first-grade teacher who was initially hired as a substitute replacement, and who harbors a crush on Janine.
• Janelle James as Ava Coleman, the school's tone-deaf principal who consistently bullies Janine and gives the staff reasons to believe she is poor at her job; a job in which she received after blackmailing the superintendent.
• Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, a second-grade teacher at Abbott who has questionable connections with the Philly locals, but uses them to help the school.
• Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, an eighth-grade history teacher who tries his best to help Janine with her plans to improve Abbott.
• William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson, the school's janitor who is seen as lazy, but consistent with his job.
• Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard, a religious kindergarten teacher, adamant about keeping with tradition, and a mother-figure whom Janine looks up to.

Recurring

• Josh Segarra as Manny, the leader of a group of school district representatives for Philadelphia.
• Benjamin Norris as Simon, a school district representative under Manny who works alongside Janine.
• Kimia Behpoornia as Emily, a school district representative under Manny who works alongside Janine.^[3]
• Mason Renfro as Alex Perkins, a student in Janine's classroom.
• Zack Fox as Tariq Temple, Janine's ex-boyfriend and an aspiring rapper who is currently dating the mom of one of Barbara’s students.^{[4] [5]}
• Keegan-Michael Key as John Reynolds, the Philadelphia School District's new superintendent.
• Karan Soni as Avi, an EMT who enters a romance with Jacob.
• Pam Trotter as Dia, an admissions office worker at Abbott.
• Jerry Minor as Mr. Morton, a colleague of Jacob whom he shares a complicated relationship with.
• Courtney Taylor as Erika, a friend of Janine who attempts to improve her social circle.

Guest

• Bruno Amato as Gary, a vending machine stocker who begins dating Melissa.
• Jalen Hurts, Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce as themselves, members of the Philadelphia Eagles who participate in Abbott's career day.
• Mike O'Malley as Captain Robinson, the captain of the Philadelphia fire department who visits Abbott.
• Sabrina Brier as Jessca, a substitute teacher for Janine's classroom.
• Casey Frey as Timothy, a F.A.D.E. representative who aspires to be like Tariq.
• Aparna Nancherla as Caroline, an unhelpful F.A.D.E. representative who follows Timothy.
• Larry Owens as Zach, Jacob's boyfriend, later ex.^[6]
• Shirley Jordan as Delisha Sloss, a member of Barbara's church.^[6]
• Sabrina Wu as Mx. Cassidy Geoffrey, a substitute teacher for Janine's class.
• Carlease Burke as Sister Sipp, a member of Barbara’s church choir.
• Bradley Cooper as himself, a famous actor who visits Abbott Elementary.
• June Diane Raphael as Elizabeth Washington, a representative from the local news station who visits Abbott Elementary to document the school as a historic landmark.
• Jennifer Elise Cox as Joan, a woman working under Elizabeth.
• David Clayton Rodgers as Willy R. Abbott V, a direct descendent of school founder Willard R. Abbott.
• Cree Summer as Ms. Rosalyn Inez, a librarian hired by the district for Janine's library program.
• Tatyana Ali as Krystal, a former sorority sister of Ava who is now the principal of another school.
• Brandon Kyle Goodman as Richard Tyler Williams, a coworker of Krystal.^[7]
• Garon Grigsby as Charles Pearlman, a man who offers a loan for Gregory's Garden Goofball program.
• Nikea Gamby-Turner as Chanae, a cafeteria custodian for the school.
• Reggie Conquest as Devin, a cafeteria custodian who works alongside Chanae.
• Questlove as himself, a musician who visits Abbott who is also an old friend of Ava.
• Lana Condor as Olivia, a coworker of Avi.
• Kevin Hart as himself, an actor and comedian who Janine suspects could be her father.^[8]
• Richard Brooks as Gerald, Barbara's husband.
• Iyana Halley as Taylor Howard, Barbara's daughter.
• Shea Coulee as Lisa Condo, a drag queen.^[9]
• Symone as Divine Intervention, a drag queen.^[10]
• Taraji P. Henson as Vanetta Teagues, Janine's mother.
• Michaela Watkins as Miss Barco, a teacher at Krystal's school.

Episodes

Production

Development

The series was renewed for a third season in January 2023, months prior to the conclusion of the second.^[11] The renewal was announced by Craig Erwich at the Television Critics Association's Winter 2023 press tour. When speaking of the third season renewal, Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group had this to say:Brunson, Halpern, Schumacker and Einhorn are all expected to return as executive producers.^{[11] [12]} Writing for the season was originally expected to commence on May 1, 2023; however the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike postponed this date indefinitely.^{[13] [14]} Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Lisa Ann Walter are among those from the cast who have publicly supported the strike,^{[15] [16] [17]} and as confirmed by writer Brittani Nichols, the strike affected the number of episodes and start date of the third season.^{[18] [19] [20]} In May 2023, it was announced via a press release by ABC, that the season premiere would be pushed back to an early 2024 air date.^[21] On November 10, 2023, ABC picked up the series for a full third season of 14 episodes.^[22]

Writing

Following writing delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, writing began that October. The writers chose to explain the five month time-jump from the second season by having the camera crew being robbed, as they felt it was logical that way. They had envisioned including a teacher's strike in the narrative, but decided not to do so as they felt it was "too winky, too meta". As such, they chose to focus on how the difficulties underfunded teachers face by having Janine accept her new job with optimism. Additionally, the writers also consulted with a newly-elected board member of the Los Angeles School District and various teachers who joined the WGA picket lines.^[23]

Casting

All seven regular cast members from the first two seasons returned; including Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph.^{[11] [24] [25]} In January 2024, it was announced that Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia and Benjamin Norris had joined the cast in recurring roles, portraying school district representatives sent to make positive change to Abbott.^[26]

Like the seasons before it, the third season features various guest stars. Most notably including Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts, Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce.^[27] When asked about how the trio made their way on to the show, producer Justin Halpern stated:

In March 2024, it was confirmed that Lana Condor, Keegan-Michael Key, Cree Summer, Tatyana Ali and Karan Soni would guest star and/or recur during the season.^[28]

Filming

While being interviewed by Deadline Hollywood, Sheryl Lee Ralph revealed that principal photography for the third season was originally expected to commence in July 2023; however this date was pushed back indefinitely due to the strikes.^[29] After both strikes were resolved, the third season was confirmed to begin filming on November 27, 2023.^[30] Like the first two seasons, the interior scenes of the series are filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, with exterior shots of the series being filmed in front of Vermont Elementary School in Los Angeles.^{[31] [32]}

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has received an approval rating of 100% based on 8 reviews.^[33]

Ratings

The season premiered on February 7, 2024, following premiere episodes of The Conners and Not Dead Yet. The third season retains its time slot of Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.^[22]

"Willard R. Abbott" aired in a special Sunday-night scheduling following the 96th Academy Awards, resulting in a series high in total viewership, and audience share among viewers 18-49.^{[34] [35]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: ABC Midseason Premiere Dates: 'The Bachelor', '9-1-1′, Abbott Elementary', 'Grey's Anatomy', More. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. November 16, 2023. November 16, 2023.
2. Web site: Campione . Katie . February 10, 2024 . Abbott Elementary Renewed For Season 4 . February 10, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
3. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . 2024-01-29 . 'Abbott Elementary': Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia & Benjamin Norris Join Season 3 . 2024-01-30 . Deadline . en-US.
4. Web site: (303) Gregory's Garden Goofballs - The Futon Critic . February 1, 2024 . The Futon Critic.
5. Web site: "Gregory's Garden Goofballs" (303) - press release. February 9, 2024. ABC.
6. Web site: "Breakup" (305) - press release. February 23, 2024. ABC.
7. Web site: "Panel" (308) - press release. March 20, 2024. ABC.
8. Web site: Abbott Elementary Recap: Parental Guidance . May 8, 2024 .
9. Web site: Abbott Elementary Recap: Parental Guidance . May 8, 2024 .
10. Web site: Abbott Elementary Recap: Parental Guidance . May 8, 2024 .
11. Web site: Campione . Katie . January 11, 2023 . Abbott Elementary Scores Season 3 Renewal At ABC . January 11, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
12. Web site: Abbott Elementary Renewed For Season 3 at ABC. Variety. Selome Hailu. January 11, 2023. January 27, 2023.
13. Web site: When Will Abbott Elementary Season 3 Premiere? What We Know So Far. Decider. Nicole Galluci. April 20, 2023. April 29, 2023.
14. Web site: Hollywood, Both Frantic and Calm, Braces for Writers' Strike. The New York Times. April 28, 2023. April 29, 2023. John Koblin, Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling.
15. Web site: Piccoli . Sean . Cordero . Rosy . Campione . Katie . May 3, 2023 . Dispatches From WGA Picket Lines Day 2: 'SNL's Bowen Yang, Krista Vernoff, Michael Schur, Cynthia Nixon Among Those Marching To Support Writers Strike . May 3, 2023 . . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503203210/https://deadline.com/2023/05/writers-strike-picket-lines-day-2-bowen-yang-krista-vernoff-michael-schur-cynthia-nixon-1235355219/ . live .
16. Web site: Guy . Zoe . 2023-05-02 . Celebrities Are Standing With the Picketers . 2023-05-03 . Vulture . en-us . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503180937/https://www.vulture.com/2023/05/writers-strike-2023-celebrities-support.html . live .
17. Web site: May 3, 2023 . I stand with the writers ✍️ This is the first @WGA writers' strike in 15 years. The last time it happened in late 2007—it lasted for 100 days. If the two parties can't come to an agreement soon, the effects of this strike will be felt throughout Hollywood for months to come. . May 3, 2023 . Twitter.
18. Web site: Abbott Elementary Season 3 On Hold Due To Writers' Strike. Maryam Ahtesham. May 2, 2023. May 2, 2023. Streaming Daily.
19. Web site: Humphrey . Julia . May 2, 2023 . 'Abbott Elementary' Season 3 on Hold With Writers Strike . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503003434/https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-season-3-writers-strike/ . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . .
20. Web site: Hollywood Writers Strike: Abbott Elementary's Brittani Nichols Decries "Gig Economy" in Streaming Era. May 2, 2023. May 2, 2023. Democracy Now!.
21. Web site: ABC Fall Schedule Shocker: Entire Scripted Slate MIA as Writers' Strike Imperils New TV Season. May 16, 2023. TVLine. May 16, 2023. Michael Ausiello.
22. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Abbott Elementary & Young Sheldon Top Episode Counts For Post-Strike 2023-24 Broadcast Season. Deadline Hollywood. November 10, 2023. November 10, 2023.
23. Web site: Hailu . Selome . February 8, 2024 . Quinta Brunson and 'Abbott Elementary' EPs Talk Season 3 Plot Twist and Writing a Post-Strike Time Jump in 'the Most Philly Way' . February 11, 2024 . Variety.
24. Web site: Forman. Beatrice. February 4, 2022. 'Abbott Elementary' character guide: Who's in Quinta Brunson's hit comedy?. billypenn.com. April 27, 2022.
25. Web site: Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, 3 More Join Quinta Brunson In Her ABC School Comedy Pilot. March 26, 2021. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. December 28, 2021.
26. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary': Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia & Benjamin Norris Join Season 3. Deadline Hollywood. Rosy. Cordero. January 29, 2024. January 29, 2024.
27. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary' Bosses on Pulling Off That Season 3 Premiere Cameo and Vetting Guest Star Requests: "Sometimes It's Very Hard to Resist" . February 8, 2024. February 9, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter. Brande. Victorian.
28. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary': Lana Condor, Keegan-Michael Key, Cree Summer & More To Appear In Already Star-Studded Season 3. March 11, 2024. Deadline Hollywood.
29. Sheryl Lee Ralph on shooting Season 3 of #AbbottElementary #SAGAwards. DEADLINE. February 26, 2023. February 26, 2023. 1630029073534832640.
30. Web site: Return To Work: List of First TV Series To Restart Production After SAG-AFTRA Strike. November 9, 2023. November 10, 2023. Deadline Hollywood.
31. Web site: Stephanie Harper . April 19, 2022 . 'Abbott Elementary' Is Supposed to Take Place in Philadelphia — Where Is It Filmed? . January 11, 2023 . Distractify.
32. Web site: Vermont Elementary School – Directory . January 11, 2022.
33. Web site: Abbott Elementary:Season 3 (2024). February 7, 2024. Rotten Tomatoes.
34. Web site: 11 March 2024 . 'The Oscars®' on ABC Hits 4-Year High in Viewers . 12 March 2024 . The Walt Disney Company.
35. Web site: Hammond . Pete . Hipes . Patrick . November 30, 2023 . Oscars 2024 Ceremony Moves Up Start Time by an Hour; Abbott Elementary to Follow Telecast on ABC . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231130181158/https://deadline.com/2023/11/oscars-2024-start-time-moved-abc-1235644551/ . November 30, 2023 . November 30, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.