Abbott Elementary, ABC's breakout hit about a group of educators in a Philadelphia public school, just scored a full order for season two. The rare accomplishment comes on the heels of the show's Emmy nominations, but Deadline reports that the order was in play prior to the news. Season two will return with 22 episodes (typically, anything above 16-18 episodes is considered a full-season order) on Wednesday, September 21, in the 9 PM slot.
During an Abbott Elementary comic con panel on Thursday, show creator, executive producer and star Quinta Brunson and fellow executive producer Patrick Schumacker teased the news. Brunson said:
“We spent a lot of the first season showing what this show is capable of. … Now we get to have some fun. We’ve done all the building, and now we get to have some of these fun bottle episodes.”
To which Schumacker replied:
"...and more episodes.”
Brunson questioned whether the pair was allowed to speak about that, while Schumacker shrugged. Brunson then confirmed the news by saying:
"OK, there you go. We have more episodes this season than in the first.”
Abbott Elementary follows a group of caring public school educators who often find themselves on the opposite side of the school district, advocating for their students and needing funding. The series also includes an often aloof principal and a zany janitor (played by William Stanford Davis, who was recently promoted to series regular for season two). Abbott Elementary stars Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
High Praise for Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary earned seven Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Writing for a Comedy Series for Brunson and Supporting Actress/Actor in a Comedy Series for Williams, James and Ralph. With her three nominations, Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive comedy nominations in the acting, writing (for the pilot episode), and series categories.
Abbott Elementary debuted this January with a 13-episode order. In March, the show received the green light for a second season. During its first season run, the show became ABC's number one comedy for adults 18-49.
The series, which is filmed mockumentary-style, has received critical acclaim and praise from educators for portraying the public school system and its challenges realistically. Brunson's insight into the public school system comes from her mother's own experience as she taught at a Philadelphia public school.