Quinta Brunson is feeling grateful but also ready for new chapters in career after Abbott Elementary prepares to return for its fifth season.
The creator and star is opening up about the show’s future, and her desire to explore other roles outside of her beloved character, Janine Teagues.
In a recent interview with Bustle, Brunson shared that while she’s proud of the success the series has seen, she’s aware of how demanding it is for the cast to stay committed.
Calling herself “fortunate and blessed to be on a network TV show for five seasons”, and “for people to still be fans,” the actress admitted having “cast members who would love to pursue other projects,” but can’t because the “show is very time-consuming.”
She added that because the filming happens in over “seven months out of the year. That can stop people from being able to do a lot of other things.”
The three-time Emmy-winning comedy also stars Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti and William Stanford Davis.
Since its debut in 2021, Brunson has worn multiple hats, creator, showrunner, lead actor, and she’s now looking forward to stepping into something different.
“Right now, I’m receiving scripts, and waiting for that moment that feels like, ‘Oh man, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for,’” she explained.
Brunson said that she wants to use the “success” from Abbott “to get other people’s projects off the ground.”
She also got candid about always being “interested in playing against type,” saying, “Right now my type is ‘Janine’ and ‘teacher.’ I’m looking forward to moving away from that a little bit.”
ABC confirmed that Abbott Elementary had been renewed for a fifth season earlier this year, ahead of the Season 4 finale
