Note: This story contains spoilers from “Abbott Elementary” Season 4, Episode 18.
“Abbott Elementary” has delivered a shocking plot twist in its fourth season with the unexpected firing of Ava (Janelle James) as principal.
In Episode 18, after Ava and the Abbott teachers decided not to report a local developer for using non-union workers in exchange for bribes of computers and gadgets, the situation escalated. The school board arrived to audit the school and warned that any involved teachers could face suspension. Ava bravely took responsibility for the bribes, leading to her dismissal.
However, fans need not worry—executive producers and co-showrunners Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern confirmed that this storyline does not mean Janelle will be leaving the ABC sitcom. “The story is not over — You will see Janelle in subsequent episodes,” Schumacker told TheWrap, indicating that the next episode will explore how this twist transforms the Abbott ecosystem. “But it is kind of a longer play. It’s not something that’s going to resolve itself super quickly.”
While Ava may not fulfill her usual role moving forward, the EPs hinted that upcoming episodes will feature the documentary crew following her as she explores other ventures. “She’s a character we’ve established as having side hustles—being principal wasn’t even necessarily her main source of income,” Schumacker added. This shift will draw in other characters who become concerned about her activities, creating a mystery about her true intentions.
In a discussion about the origins of this plot twist, Schumacker revealed, “The development with Ava’s specific end at Abbott came pretty late in the game. We knew these bribes had to be paid off at a certain point. When we were breaking this episode, we initially thought it could be schmuck bait, but Quinta [Brunson] suggested, ‘What if we fire Ava?’ and it turned out to make perfect sense.”
Halpern noted that this season has been unique since they didn’t enter it knowing the ending, which allowed for surprising developments that enrich the storyline. “Sometimes it’s fun to go into it not knowing quite as much because it leads to rewarding surprises for the audience.”
When asked how they broke the news to Janelle about her character’s fate, Halpern recalled, “At the table read, she read it and afterwards she said, ‘I think this is the first time I’ve ever been fired.’” Schumacker added that Janelle genuinely looked surprised, and they assured her they would have given her a heads up if she was leaving the show.
In a pivotal moment, Ava displays growth by stepping up to take responsibility for the bribes. Schumacker praised Janelle’s performance this season, noting her development and the dramatic weight her character carries. “Janelle deserves an Emmy. She hits every hard joke and plays the dramatic moments incredibly well,” Halpern added, emphasizing the complexity of Ava’s character.
Ava’s firing prompts Janine to revert to her typical “fixer” mode, which raises questions about how this change will affect her. Schumacker stated that Janine will leave no stone unturned in her quest to address the fallout, while Halpern hinted at an interesting storyline exploring how Janine reacts when she cannot fix things.
Before Ava departs, Barb commends her for stepping up, providing a moment for character reflection. Halpern explained that Ava’s character typically doesn’t express much emotion, making it essential for a more emotive character like Barbara to help process the situation for the audience.
With Gregory harboring ambitions to become principal, this situation opens up potential opportunities, though how it unfolds remains uncertain. Halpern and Schumacker noted that any changes must feel earned to resonate with the audience.
As the story progresses, the team seeks to expand “Abbott Elementary” beyond school walls, allowing for deeper character exploration. Halpern mentioned that they are always looking for opportunities to learn more about the characters and how they fit into the community.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
“Abbott Elementary” premieres Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
The post ‘Abbott Elementary’ Bosses Break Down Major Character’s Firing: ‘The Story Is Not Over’ appeared first on TheWrap.
