Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson originally had a much different idea for how the show would look. Abbott Elementary is the breakout ABC sitcom about a group of teachers at an underfunded inner-city Philadelphia elementary school. The show has been met with praise from audiences and critics alike, so it is no surprise that Abbott Elementary season 2 is currently in development after the show was renewed in March 2022.
Along with creating the show, Brunson also stars as Janine Teagues, an optimistic second-grade teacher doing her best to make a difference in the school and her students’ lives. The mockumentary comedy also stars Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie—a substitute who wants to be a principal, Janelle James as Ava Coleman—the inept but vibrant principal, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti—a snarky second-grade teacher, and Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill—an optimistic, nerdy history teacher. After its late 2021 premiere, Abbott Elementary has earned much acclaim, forming a passionate fanbase, largely due to the chemistry of the hilarious cast.
In a recent IndieWire interview, Brunson reveals that she originally imagined the show in a much different format, namely a cartoon. Abbott Elementary is inspired by her mom’s experiences; she was a teacher in a similarly underfunded Philadelphia public school that Brunson grew up attending. Discussing her initial vision of the show, Brunson says,
“I remember having the initial thought for this series by spending time with my mother before her retirement; she was about a year and a year and a half from retiring. I was spending time with her at her school and the idea for the show popped into my head. After doing some tweaking about what kind of comedy this would be, where it would live, I thought of it as possibly a cartoon at the time, because I was working on some other projects and knew I wanted to be a part of it, but making it live action would be harder. So it actually became easier to think of it as a cartoon, but as time went on I wound up developing it into a live-action show.”
Certainly, creating the show as a cartoon would have changed things drastically. It may not have resonated so well with audiences, as cartoons are generally less “real” to people. The informal, conversational mockumentary style is the perfect medium for this show, even garnering comparisons between Abbott Elementary and The Office. The characters speak directly to the camera, bringing them to life in a unique way for the viewer that voice acting alone simply cannot do. It is hard to imagine the show any other way.
Abbott Elementary highlights Black representation with its cast, bringing to light a unique culture within education, and the comedic criticism of the American educational system and the praise of its hardworking and passionate teachers are incredibly timely topics. The Covid-19 pandemic permanently changed the face of education, and many people have a newfound respect for the impossible job and the difficult obstacles teachers must overcome to do it well. With many teachers across the country leaving the profession, Abbott Elementary clearly understands the importance of showing appreciation for these educators who pour into their students.
