Abbott Elementary creator reveals what’s in store for Janine and Gregory

Abbott Elementary, the Emmy-nominated comedy, is set to return with its fifth season on October 1, 2025. As fans prepare for another season of heartwarming and realistic comedy, creator Quinta Brunson reveals how one of the major aspects of the show, Janine and Gregory's relationship, will be explored in the new season.

Janine and Gregory's relationship has been one of the most important parts of Abbott Elementary, except, of course, for them as teachers, which ranks above their relationship for both of them. Nevertheless, almost every season so far has ended with a major development in their relationship. At the end of Season 3, the two decided to stop playing games and just go for the person they wanted to be with.

Season 4 explored their growing relationship, and by the end of that season, they'd achieved another milestone where Janine met Gregory's father for the first time.

The fifth season of Abbott Elementary will tackle even more complicated dynamics of their relationships, as revealed by Brunson in a conversation with Variety.

Keep reading to find out what she said and what we can expect from the couple in Season 5.

Creator Quinta Brunson's thoughts on the core of Janine and Gregory's relationship in Abbott Elementary

When it came to Janine and Gregory's slow-burning relationship, creator Quinta Brunson has always had a distinct take compared to other workplace romances. Brunson has avoided using the toxic on-screen relationship problems as a crutch for the narrative of Abbott Elementary. Rather, for the creator, as well as the characters, their jobs as teachers in the public education system came before anything else.

It is baked into Janine and Gregory's relationship that they understand each other as individuals and respect each other. This allowed Brunson to navigate a healthy relationship where the story is about their jobs and not their personal lives outside of the school. The couple doesn't bring their relationship into the school, allowing Abbott Elementary to sometimes move out of the school and give their relationship the focus outside of the school to grow, keeping things fresh.

Through Janine and Gregory's relationship, Brunson has managed to beautifully explore a healthy relationship on screen, for a much-needed change. For the fifth season, Brunson reveals she's planning to continue with the core of what makes this relationship, but also address the different dynamics that come into play as a new relationship develops.

Brunson on Janine and Gregory's relationship's future in Abbott Elementary Season 5

Janine and Gregory have been dating each other for the entirety of Season 4, and now that Season 5 is approaching, their relationship is still primarily new. At their age, a new relationship means many conversations they need to have about life and how each fits into the other's life. These people have their individual lives, work, and homes. So, there's a lot that goes into keeping a new relationship steady, and communication is the biggest tool for them.

Brunson has revealed that the couple will have these conversations in Abbott Elementary Season 5, so things might get more serious. However, she was quick to correct that even though there's serious stuff that Janine and Gregory will be tackling, they will continue to have fun.

Brunson has always intended that the relationship not fall victim to the dramas of the narrative; the couple won't be fighting or anything with these developments. The show hopes to explore open communication and conversations where the two are not fighting but just discussing their lives and figuring out what works for them.

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It will be exciting to witness these developments in Abbott Elementary Season 5. So, keep reading Soap Central for more such insights on your favorite shows!

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