Abbott Elementary Returns for Season Three with a New Look and a Few Less Episodes

The wait is finally over for fans of ABC's hit comedy series Abbott Elementary, which returns for its third season after a production halt caused by the 2023 writers and actors strikes. The showrunners, Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern, have big plans for this new season, including a major change: instead of the usual 22 episodes, there will only be 14.

But don't worry, fans - the reduced episode count isn't all bad news. According to star Quinta Brunson, she actually welcomed the lighter load and is enjoying the break from the intense pace of previous seasons. 'I'm not mad at it right now,' she joked during a recent interview with THR. 'Twenty-two was a lot... but it's fun! Everybody has fun, right? But you know, 14 has been great.'

So what can fans expect from this new season? For starters, the focus will be on the district instead of the school itself. This change is a result of the showrunners' plan to explore more of the world beyond the classroom walls. 'Focusing on the district was always the plan for season three,' Schumacker and Halpern explained in their premiere chat with THR.

The new season also sees Janine (played by Brunson) outside of the classroom, taking a new job within the Philadelphia School District. This development comes after a surprising twist at the end of last season, which saw Janine enticed to participate in the fellowship program by guest stars Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia, and Benjamin Norris.

Of course, no discussion of Abbott Elementary would be complete without mentioning the show's impressive list of celebrity cameos. This season is no exception, with surprise appearances from Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce, and Brandon Graham - all courtesy of Zoom due to the team's NFL playoff preparations.

Despite the challenges posed by the production halt, the showrunners are thrilled with how this new season has turned out. 'It was like, 'OK, this is actual rocket science,'' Schumacker quipped about plotting out the jumps between episodes. The biggest challenge, however, was figuring out how to incorporate the stolen equipment storyline and time jump that arose from the strike.

Series regulars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, and William Stanford Davis all return for this new season, along with guest stars Segarra, Behpoornia, and Norris. With only 14 episodes to look forward to, fans will have to make the most of this shorter but no-less-exciting season.

For Brunson, being part of a show that has become so beloved is still surreal. 'You're talking to a room full of comedy writers who mostly understand linear storytelling,' she said during an interview with THR. 'And then you're trying to explain to them what's going on in the episode... it was like actual rocket science.' Despite the challenges, Brunson is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this talented team and can't wait to see how this new season unfolds.

So mark your calendars and get ready to dive back into the world of Abbott Elementary. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and wit, this show is sure to continue delighting audiences for seasons to come.

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