Quinta Brunson’s hit workplace comedy continues its streak as ABC’s first renewal for the 2026–27 season
ABC is keeping tradition alive. The network has officially renewed its flagship comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’ for a sixth season, marking the fourth consecutive year the series has been the first ABC show renewed for the following television season.
The announcement arrives as the show returns with a new episode of its fifth season tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, reinforcing just how central the series remains to ABC’s comedy lineup.
This year’s renewal reveal came with a character-appropriate twist: Barbara Howard, played by Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, delivered the news through an outgoing voicemail message, continuing the show’s tradition of playful renewal announcements.
Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary continues to perform strongly even five seasons into its run. According to Nielsen’s Streaming Content Ratings, the series currently ranks as TV’s No. 1 comedy among Adults 18–49 in multi-platform viewing over seven days, highlighting its cross-platform popularity with both younger viewers and families.
The mockumentary-style workplace comedy follows a group of dedicated teachers working at an underfunded Philadelphia public school who remain determined to support their students despite limited resources and district bureaucracy.
Brunson leads the ensemble as optimistic teacher Janine Teagues, alongside Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Since its debut, Abbott Elementary has become one of the most celebrated comedies on television. The series has earned 30 Emmy nominations and four wins, helping re-establish network broadcast comedies as awards contenders and audience favorites.
Behind the scenes, Brunson executive produces alongside Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker of Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, who also serve as co-showrunners. Randall Einhorn and Brian Rubenstein are also executive producers. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, part of Disney Television Studios.
With its strong ratings, critical acclaim, and cultural impact, the early Season 6 renewal signals that Abbott Elementary will remain a key part of ABC’s comedy strategy heading into the 2026–27 television season.