It’s Always Sunny over at Abbott Elementary.
The highly teased crossover between Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is officially happening in Season 4 of Abbott Elementary. This exciting news comes after a series of social media posts from both shows’ creators, Quinta Brunson and Rob McElhenney.
Brunson, the creator and star of Abbott Elementary, shared a photo on her social media account alongside Sunny stars McElhenney and Charlie Day, captioning the moment, “Season 4 of Abbott Elementary gets real Sunny :)”. McElhenney followed suit, posting a snapshot of the trio outside the Warner Bros. lot, further confirming what fans have been eagerly speculating.
Hints and Speculation Pay Off
Speculation about a crossover has been buzzing since July when Brunson teased fans at San Diego Comic-Con by hinting at a major event that would “change television as we know it.” While she didn’t reveal any specifics, fans quickly zeroed in on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as a likely candidate, spurred by earlier comments from McElhenney and his cast about wanting to collaborate.
With both shows known for their unique humor and devoted audiences, the crossover is expected to bring together the wild energy of Sunny’s characters with the grounded, yet hilarious environment of Abbott Elementary. While the exact storyline remains under wraps, fan theories include everything from the Sunny crew taking janitorial jobs at Abbott to the teachers crossing paths with the gang during a chaotic outing.
A New Season Full of Surprises
The crossover isn’t the only exciting development coming in Abbott Elementary’s fourth season, which premieres on October 9 at 9:30/8:30c on ABC. The series will continue to follow the beloved teachers of the Philadelphia public school, with the entire main cast returning, including Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard, and Janelle James as Ava Coleman. Additionally, the show will continue exploring the evolving dynamics between Janine and Gregory, especially after the emotional cliffhanger of season 3.
Beyond the crossover and character developments, Abbott Elementary is making headlines for the substantial pay raises its cast has secured. Following the show’s growing success and multiple awards—including Emmys and Golden Globes—Brunson, Williams, Ralph, and others have renegotiated their contracts for significant salary increases. Brunson, in particular, is set to earn between $350,000 and $400,000 per episode, with her co-stars receiving similarly impressive bumps.
With a 22-episode order and an ever-growing fanbase, the upcoming season of Abbott Elementary promises to deliver even more of the heartfelt humor and sharp social commentary that has made it a breakout hit.
Mark your calendars for October 9—the world of Abbott Elementary is about to get a whole lot sunnier!