'Abbott Elementary' Season 3 — Everything You Need to Know Before The Premiere!

The wait is finally over: Abbott Elementary season 3 is back and better than ever! Season 2 came to its conclusion in April of 2023, and since then, we've been anxiously anticipating what's in store for this hilarious crew of eccentric educators. Here, take a look at everything we know about Abbott Elementary season 3!

When will Abbott Elementary season 3 air?

Viewers can catch the season 3 premiere on Wednesday, February 7 at 9 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and the next day on Hulu. The episode is also available to watch live with a Hulu + Live TV subscription.

What is Abbott Elementary about?

Abbott Elementary follows a group of teachers navigating the woes of teaching in an underfunded Philadelphia public school. Led by an eccentric, out-of-touch principal, this crew must do whatever they can with the resources they have to provide their students with the best possible opportunities.

Even though the odds are very rarely in their favor and they can almost always guarantee a series of obstacles and hijinks standing between them and their goals, they remain undeterred in their pursuit to give their students the same experiences as other kids.

This laugh-out-loud mockumentary style comedy series follows a format similar to beloved comedies like The Office and Parks and Recreation, and has gone on to win countless awards since its premiere, including the 2023 Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series, the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Quinta Brunson and the 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Sheryl Lee Ralph.

"My mother was a teacher and I spent so much time with her in school. I was in her class in kindergarten and went to the school where she taught for the next five years. So, I saw the behind the scenes," Quinta Brunson, star, creator, and executive producer explained to Cosmopolitan.

"When I went to college and moved out to LA, I had so much time away from it, so when I went to go visit my mother again, it helped me to see the familiarity of a place I knew like the back of my hand. I saw the comedy in this place as well as the hardships and I felt it made for a good TV show."

Get to know the Abbott Elementary season 3 cast

Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues

Quinta Brunson stars as Janine Teagues while also holding the title of creator and executive producer of the beloved series. Janine is a bubbly, optimistic and hopeful second grade teacher who is willing to go to great lengths for the sake of her students.

While her methods might seem a little unconventional and over-the-top to some of her colleagues, she does what she can to make the best of the situation she's in, both for her fellow teachers and her students alike.

Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie

Tyler James Williams stars as Gregory, a substitute teacher who eventually becomes a full-time member of the staff at Abbott Elementary. His attitude is a bit more realistic than that of Janine's, but that doesn't stop him from harboring feelings toward her. While he may have a different approach than her, he too is passionate about his job and cares deeply for the students of Abbott.

Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti

Lisa Ann Walter plays the no-nonsense Melissa Schemmenti, a teacher at Abbott who has worked there for quite a while. While she doesn't always agree with the approaches taken by the younger teachers on the staff, she is always willing to do what she can to better the lives of her students — even if it means calling in backup from some of her shady connects.

Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph, is perhaps the longest-tenured faculty member at Abbott, loved and respected by both her students and colleagues alike. She is often the voice of reason and a source of wisdom amongst the group, even though her approach might seem outdated at times to the younger teachers.

Janelle James as Ava Coleman

Janelle James hilariously brings to life Ava Coleman, the Abbott Elementary principal who earned her position thanks to good old fashioned blackmail. Under-qualified and over-confident, Ava's tendency to be out-of-touch with regards to what's right for the school often results in frustration from the other teachers. However, when push comes to shove, she has shown that deep down, she does care for those at Abbott.

Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill

Chris Perfetti stars as Jacob Hill, another one of the younger teachers on the staff with the same sort of enthusiasm and optimism as Janine. While his somewhat nerdy personality makes him target for ridicule by some of his students, he doesn't let it deter him in his pursuit to educate them and guide them toward the opportunities they deserve.

William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson

William Stanford Davis plays Mr. Johnson, the school custodian. He has been at Abbott for years, and knows the ins and outs like no other. He steals scenes episode after episode with hilarious one liners and mysterious glimpses into his past, and his eccentric character is a fan favorite.

New cast members joining season 3

In addition to the cast we've come to know and love, season 3 is introducing three more faces: Josh Segarra as Manny, Kimia Behpoornia as Emily and Benjamin Norris as Simon, three "good-natured Philadelphia school district representatives who aim to bring fresh perspectives to their roles as school ambassadors," says Deadline.

Where did season 2 of Abbott Elementary leave off?

*Spoilers ahead* Season 2 brought on the typical trials and tribulations one could expect to find at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. Janine is learning to live life in the absence of her now-ex-boyfriend Tariq. Melissa must take on a crew of third graders in addition to her second graders, and eventually requires the help of an aide to wrangle them all.

Meanwhile, Gregory and Janine grapple with their obvious feelings for one another throughout the season. And through it all, the teachers still do what they can to provide their students with the best education possible, even through the obstacles that are presented to them.

What can we expect from Abbott Elementary season 3?

Abbott Elementary season 3 is likely to bring the antics we're used to seeing. As the trailer revealed, Ava is now taking a new approach to her leadership, Gregory and Janine are navigating their strictly platonic relationship and the rest of the crew are just trying to take on Abbott one day at a time.

Tune in to ABC on Wednesday, February 7 at 9 p.m. EST/PST to catch the Abbott Elementary season 3 premiere, or watch it on Hulu the next day!

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