Abbott Elementary: Janelle James reflects on Emmy recognition and what’s next for Ava Coleman

In the ABC mockumentary hit Abbott Elementary, the comedian-turned-actor Janelle James portrays an odd yet enduring principal and has earned four consecutive Emmy nominations, including the 2025 nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy.

The series is now returning with its season 5 on October 1, and the actor has teased about her Emmy acclaim and the future character development for Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary. While speaking from the set of the show with Variety, she expressed how she doesn't want to be part of the machine and is focusing on getting recognised for what she is good at. James said:

“I’m undeniable at this point. I’m not part of the machine, and I don’t strive to be. I’m doing good work, and I continue be to recognised.”

Read on to know what more the actress said about the fate of her character, Ava, in Abbott Elementary.

Abbott Elementary star Janelle James reflects on Emmy recognition and what’s next for Ava Coleman

Abbott Elementary has been praised for its sharp humour and heartfelt take on public school life, in which Janelle James' performance is indeed a highlight. While speaking with Variety about her 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy, James expressed how she wants to be different, continue to do good work, and get recognised.

James' nod four consecutive times places her among the most celebrated comedic performers on television today, while she looks at the recognition as both motivation and validation. In the interview, she also teased about the character's fate, suggesting that season 5 will add new layers to Ava's character, showcasing growth beyond her trademark one-liners and schemes. She said:

“People know Ava for being funny, for being wild,” she said, “but there’s more to her. This season, you’ll see that.”

She revealed that this time, the fans will see Ava in love, vulnerable, and smitten in Abbott Elementary. Janelle James told Variety:

“Ava is in love. She can’t shut up about it. Six episodes [into table reads], she’s smitten. That’s a new flavour for her, and I’m having a good time figuring out how to play a woman who’s actually feeling vulnerable.”

Ava's romantic interest, O'Shon, was introduced in season 4 of Abbott Elementary, and James gives huge credit to the writers for penning down a love story that doesn't take away the essence of her character. She explained:

“He (the writer) has to match her energy, find her quirks amusing, and still challenge her, without changing who she is.”

For only the second time, four women of colour are competing in the category: James, her co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph, The Bear star Liza Colón-Zayas, and Jessica Williams for Shrinking. The first such lineup occurred in 2022, per reports. Speaking of her feelings about the same, James expressed that she is happy that her category consists of all women of colour, but the major shifts will happen in the main categories:

"It’s great that our category has women of colour, but I’d love to see more in the main categories. That’s where the real shift would show.”

James is a stand-up comic whose comedy stems from trends around politics and the film industry, and she outrightly claimed how the screens shine with more white names when a Republican is in office; therefore, it all depends on the administration. She stated:

“You can call me whatever you want, but it goes with whatever administration is in. When there’s a Republican in office, everything goes more white. Then we swing back. But there’s always just…a limit.”

She threw some light on how Abbott Elementary is actually building the school set from scratch, and it is not that they are shooting in a real building. She also teases that this time the story will be more off-school and with more surprising twists.

Lastly, James took another jab casually on society, highlighting the black people's struggles. She asserted that she is grateful for being where she is, but cannot pretend that the door is "wide open" for them. She said:

“There are only so many roles for Black women, especially women of a certain age,” James says. “I feel like I snuck in. And I’m thankful to be here. But I’m not pretending the door is wide open.”

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On getting questioned about her future projects after Abbott Elementary, the actor said she isn't rushing with anything currently. A show and a movie are brewing, but she will take them up once she is ready.

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