‘Abbott Elementary’ Bosses Tease Steps Toward Gregory’s Proposal & More in Season 6

Another school year begins on the sixth season of ABC’s Emmy-winning comedy Abbott Elementary as the teachers head into their annual Development Day, riding the high of having their school spared closure in Season 5’s finale. While second grade teacher Janine (played by creator Quinta Brunson) does something “outrageous” for her classroom that is “over and above,” according to executive producer Patrick Schumacker, her educator beau Gregory (Tyler James Williams) prepares for his first day as the official assistant principal.

But this time around, he’ll be tackling the leadership role alongside outlandish principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James). “I think one of my favorite things about Ava and Gregory’s [working] relationship is, it has had almost as large an arc as Janine and Gregory’s relationship,” says exec producer Justin Halpern. “In that first season, Ava’s flirting with Gregory a lot, but in this sort of power dynamic way that’s very inappropriate. This is all to say, I think [their working relationship in Season 6] is going to have many layers to it. And we’re able to do that because Janelle and Tyler know their characters so well, and they perform so well together that we’re going to get to show you a bunch of different levels to that relationship.”

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Plus, Gregory is definitely still thinking about popping the question to Janine — and we’re not talking about, “Can I borrow your stapler?” “We will continue toward the proposal,” confirms Schumacker. “We have some big, important episodes [related] to the progression of that early on.”

Also stepping into a new role this season, advocator Jacob (Chris Perfetti), after being named the Commissioner’s Liaison Representative in Season 5, will “take his job very seriously as a liason,” says Schumacker. The EP adds: “There is a larger plan in play for Jacob.”

For firecracker math teacher Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), “we’re going to explore some stuff with her as a union rep, which is something Lisa Ann Walter is very passionate about in real life with her work with SAG,” says Schumacker. The two showrunners were mum about Melissa’s musical bestie Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), with Schumacker simply stating, “I won’t say anything about it, but she has a big arc this year. We really sat and tried to think about what are the ways that you can evolve that character, even at this later point in her career.”

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As for the show’s beloved janitor, Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis)? “Mr. Johnson will continue to reference the many, many, many jobs he may or may not have had,” says Halpern with a laugh. “And the many, many lovers he may or may not have had.”

Abbott is also earning an early A for a few highly anticipated moments ahead: The premiere features a hilarious cold open with multiple surprise guest stars and another surprise that, Halpern admits, “We’ve been trying to pull off for years.”

Time to take your seats.

Abbot Elementary, Season 6 Premiere, Wednesday, October 7, 8:30/7:30c, ABC