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'Abbott Elementary' teases sixth season changes

Earl Hopkins, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Entertainment News

PHILADELPHIA — The new season of "Abbott Elementary" is nearly back in session. And from the looks of it, there are some changes coming.

In the Season 6 trailer that dropped on Wednesday, it’s revealed that Tyler James Williams’ Gregory will now be the school’s assistant principal in addition to his regular teaching duties, and Lisa Ann Walter’s Melissa is now a teachers’ union representative.

Gregory’s new role will have him working more directly under Janelle James’ Ava, the hilariously self-absorbed principal of the fictional Philadelphia public school.

“It’s going to be the best year yet,” Ava says in the trailer.

Fresh into her union position, Melissa is at odds with guest star Katy Mixon, who plays a new staff member. “You’re not aware of the hierarchy around here,” Melissa says to Mixon’s character inside the breakroom. The newcomer retorts right back, “I’m not going anywhere.”

The rest of the trailer, which opened with Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle,” foreshadows another season of chaos in and outside the classroom.

 

Chris Perfetti’s Jacob is seen leading a PTA meeting line dance; Ava curses out fellow staff; and Gregory is startled by what appears to be an enraged parent.

Of course, there are homages to the city that serves as the series’ backdrop, although the show is filmed in Los Angeles. Janine appears wearing a Penn sweater, Melissa dons a black Eagles sweat jacket, and Jacob tosses a basketball at two characters wearing Sixers jerseys.

The new season follows an eventful Season 5, which hinted at upcoming drama in the new season, including a potential engagement between Janine and Gregory, an uptick in Abbott’s student intake due to multiple school closings, plus a power struggle between Ava and Gregory with his new role.

The Season 6 premiere is set to air on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 7. And in the words of Janine, “anything can happen.”


©2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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