ABC’s hit series, Abbott Elementary, immediately impressed with its diverse cast of seasoned actors and up-and-coming stars. The mockumentary series followed the exploits of teachers at a severely underfunded school in Philadelphia, who try to do what is best for the students despite a mountain of challenges. Abbott Elementary was created by the show’s star, Quinta Brunson, and attempted to tackle the struggles of the American educational system with humor. As with most comedies, the show’s cast was its most vital asset, and each episode introduced new characters that showed another side of the series’ titular school.
The show’s first season was met with almost universal acclaim, and it even earned an elusive 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Abbott Elementary revived the TV mockumentary genre after a slew of shows in the 2000s overused the format, and it did so with a fresh take on characters that were somewhat familiar. The simplistic premise was supplemented with brilliant scripts, and the show’s pilot episode scored a Primetime Emmy for its writing in 2022. The open-ended nature of the series allowed for a bevy of characters to come and go, and the show delivered romance along with its laughs.
Quinta Brunson As Janine Teagues
Besides creating the show, Quinta Brunson helped bring it to life by portraying the show’s idealistic main character, Janine Teagues. The second-grade teacher was the heart and soul of Abbott Elementary School, and she refused to let the challenges of her job make her jaded and lose focus on her goals. Brunson had one of the many cameos in Weird: The Al Yankovich Story in 2022, but she had started out starring in internet content for sites like BuzzFeed. However, it wasn’t until her lead role in the first season of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, that Brunson truly gained attention as a writer and performer.
Tyler James Williams As Gregory Eddie
The second half of Abbott Elementary‘s brilliant romance subplot with Janine, Tyler James Williams landed yet another starring TV role as Gregory Eddie. The substitute-turned-full-time teacher entered the series as a disgruntled employee when he wasn’t chosen to be the school’s principal, but he was nevertheless committed to helping students. Tyler James Williams was best known for his starring role as Chris in the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, but he managed to land several other prominent TV parts including Disney’s Lab Rats as Leo, and as Noah on the AMC series The Walking Dead.
Janelle James As Ava Coleman
Although she was a great lesser-known Black comedian before her time on Abbott Elementary, Janelle James brought her unique gifts as a performer to the role of Ava Coleman, the series villain. Coleman’s vindictive nature was as hilarious as it was frustrating, and it seemed as if she took any opportunity to cut down the teachers who worked at her school. Janelle James had mostly stand-up and sketch comedy credits to her name before the series, but she eventually scored guest parts on Tuca & Bertie and Life & Beth because of her turn as Ava Coleman.
Lisa Ann Walter As Melissa Schemmenti
Perhaps the most seasoned member of Abbott Elementary‘s ensemble cast, Lisa Ann Walter’s career saw her in blockbuster films before scoring the role of Melissa Schemmenti. Abbott Elementary season 2 delivered the promise to show more of the characters’ personal lives, and few benefited – like the veteran teacher, Schemmenti. Most remembered for her family’s deep and questionable connections in Philly, Schemmenti’s struggles with her estranged sister injected drama into the comedic show. Walter had previously been seen as Chessy in 1998’s The Parent Trap and even had a major role as Cheryl in the 2005 adaptation of War of the Worlds.
Chris Perfetti As Jacob Hill
Chris Perfetti had amassed an impressive list of TV credits throughout his career before Abbott Elementary, but his ongoing part as Jacob Hill allowed him his first main role. Acting as the pessimistic mirror to Janine’s sunny disposition, Hill was a sixth-grade history teacher who was committed to Janine’s idealistic vision. Perfetti had an 11-episode stint on the series In the Dark, but was able to flex his comedic chops as Kyle, one of What We Do in the Shadows’ best one-episode characters.
Sheryl Lee Ralph As Barbara Howard
Acting in movies and TV since the 1970s, Sheryl Lee Ralph was Abbott Elementary‘s established star, and her role as Barbara Howard befitted an accomplished actor of her status. Howard acted essentially as a mentor character for Janine, though her old-school way of teaching, and aversion to technology, often put her at odds with her younger coworkers. Ralph had previously been seen as Florence Watson in 1993’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and her TV career saw her in guest roles on shows as varied as Wonder Woman, ER, and Criminal Minds among dozens of others.
William Stanford Davis As Mr. Johnson
Although he was never a household name, William Stanford Davis’ credits ranged all the way back to the 1990s, and his hidden talent shined through as Mr. Johnson on Abbott Elementary. Boosted from a guest role to a full-fledged main cast member in season two, Mr. Johnson the custodian was one of Abbott Elementary‘s most intelligent characters, and he often shocked his co-workers with his sense of humor and his belief in conspiracy theories. Davis had played bit parts in feature films like 1998’s City of Angels and even had a five-episode run as Mr. Riggs in the TV series Snowpiercer.
Abbott Elementary’s Supporting Cast & Characters
Zack Fox as Tariq Temple: Tariq was Janine’s boyfriend, who was too focused on his aspiring rap career to be there for her in their relationship (and he was often off on gigs). Zack Fox was a relative newcomer to the screen when he appeared in Abbott Elementary, and the real-life DJ and influencer had previously appeared in the 2017 indie film Kuso.
Larry Owens as Zach: Zach appeared briefly and was Jacob’s boyfriend, who was largely kept a secret from the rest of the staff. Larry Owens’ career saw him mostly in stage productions, but he was seen as Clark one of Life & Beth‘s most likable characters.
Naté Jones as Amber: Amber was the parent of one of Gregory’s students, and the pair had a brief romance that eventually ended. Naté Jones had previously been seen in the role of Shon-Shon in the series Snowfall, and as London in one episode of Atlanta.
Lela Hoffmeister as Courtney Pierce: Pierce was originally a problematic student for Janine, but the teacher was able to surmise that she simply wasn’t being challenged enough in class, and her behavior improved. The young Lela Hoffmeister had an earlier role as Arya in an episode of Kidding.
Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Ashley Garcia: Ashley Garcia was the immature teaching assistant assigned to Melissa after her classes were combined. Keyla Monterroso Mejia was best known for her six-episode stint as Maria Estrada on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Vince Staples as Maurice: The best shows like Abbott Elementary often feature a variety of hilarious characters, and Maurice was a friend of Gregory’s who asked Janine out on a date. Vince Staples was best known for his music career, but he did star as the titular character in the Adult Swim comedy Lazor Wulf.
Courtney Taylor as Erika: Erika knew Janine through her relationship with Tariq and often invited her out to parties in hopes of improving her social life. Courtney Taylor’s biggest role came as Jasmine on the TV series Single & Anxious when she appeared in 12 episodes.
Kate Peterman as Miss Schwartz: Miss Schwartz was a disgraced former teacher from Abbott who returned as part of a slanderous attack ad against the school. Kate Peterman was a writer for the show and had previously appeared as Lois in the rom-com The End of Us in 2021.
Laura Weedman as Kristin Marie Schemmenti: Besides being one of the best shows about teachers, Abbott Elementary also delivered drama through characters like Kristin Schemmenti who resurfaced in Melissa’s life after they had a falling out. Laura Weedman was most remembered for her roles as Doris in the HBO series Looking and its subsequent feature film.
Reginald C. Hayes as Denzel Collins: Denzel Collins was the school’s superintendent, who Ava attempted to blackmail during the show’s season 1. Actor Reginald C. Hayes gained notoriety through his recurring role as Don Todd in the series Hart of Dixie.
Shirley Jordan as Delisha Sloss: Delisha Sloss was a member of the school board who was taken advantage of by Barbara to secure a loan for the school. Shirley Jordan, among a slew of TV credits, appeared as Irene Johnson in the TV series Sistas.
Iyana Halley as Taylor Howard: Taylor was Principal Howard’s daughter who had a short relationship with Gregory. Iyana Halley appeared as much-needed comic relief on This is Us as the adult version of Annie Pearson.
Orlando Jones as Martin Eddie: Martin Eddie was Gregory’s father who didn’t support his dreams of simply being a teacher. Orlando Jones appeared as a main cast member of MadTV‘s first two seasons and played several characters on Everybody Hates Chris.
Zakai Biagas Bey as Clarence: Clarence was one of Jacob’s students who eventually joined the podcasting club and interviewed Janine. Zakai Biagas Bey had previously appeared as 11-year-old McKay in an episode of Euphoria.
Levi Mynatt as Will: Will was a student with dance talent who struggled with his reading and got caught up in Barbara’s cheating scandal. Abbott Elementary was young Levi Mynatt’s first major role on TV, but he had previously appeared as Gavin in one episode of the series Someone Out There.
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