Janelle James Discusses Ava Coleman’s Future in Abbott Elementary
Janelle James, known for her role as Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary, shares that there’s still much to explore with her character after four seasons of the ABC comedy.
During a conversation at the TV Academy’s first Televersefest, she opened up about her hopes for Ava’s development. “I’d love to see Ava’s house, perhaps something akin to MTV’s Cribs,” she said, admitting she was excited yet unsure if that would become a reality. “I’d really like to see it, but I don’t know if the budget will allow for anything extravagant,” she added.
For those unfamiliar, Cribs was a show showcasing celebrities’ luxurious homes, featuring guests like Destiny’s Child and Naomi Campbell. It’s interesting to think about how a segment like that could fit into Abbott.
James expressed that the show has plenty of room to explore the characters’ lives outside the classroom. She noted the dynamic between Ava and other characters, including teachers like Janine Teague and Barbara Howard. Perhaps it’s about time to dive into Abbott’s most upscale homes.
She reflected on the ups and downs of her character, particularly her ties with colleagues and how they affect her growth. “I’m eager to see her evolution, especially in her personal life and her interactions with others,” she explained, mentioning there’s still so much to uncover about Ava.
The audience has played a significant role in Ava’s character development over the past two seasons. For instance, her relationship with O’Shon—played by Matthew Law—revealed a side of her that’s more caring and deeper than her initial portrayal as a superficial character. James, who is involved in writing and producing, has kept the character’s growth in mind since the beginning.
“It’s been gratifying to see this character evolve,” she stated, looking forward to what’s next. “I just want to see more depth added as things progress,” she added with a hint of excitement.
Season 5 of Abbott Elementary is set to premiere on ABC on October 1st. In the meantime, fans can catch up on the first four seasons, currently available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
