Quinta Brunson is starting a new chapter. After her four-year overall deal at Warner Bros. Television ran its course, the Abbott Elementary creator, executive producer and star has signed a five-year overall deal with 20th Television for her production banner Fifth Chance Productions rather than renewing at her former home.
Under the new pact, she will also write, develop and executive produce new series across Disney Entertainment Television’s brands and platforms through Fifth Chance Productions, led by Head of Creative Affairs Erin Wehrenberg.
The move keeps her firmly in the Abbott family. 20th TV co-produces the show alongside WBTV, and ABC, the series’ network, is a Disney corporate sibling. Brunson has an eight-season acting deal on Abbott and remains locked in as executive producer for the life of the series, continuing as co-showrunner alongside Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, who remain under deal at WBTV.
The timing is notable. Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of being acquired by David Ellison-led Paramount, and the uncertainty surrounding that merger created a natural inflection point for a creator whose deal was up. The situation echoes 2018, when Ryan Murphy left 20th Century Fox Television for Netflix while Disney’s acquisition of Fox assets was pending. Murphy has since returned to Disney-owned 20th TV.
Abbott Elementary is heading into its sixth season this fall as broadcast’s number one comedy among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 in multiplatform viewing, and the most streamed comedy across broadcast in total viewers. It remains one of the few series still producing 22 episodes a year and has won four Emmys, including two for Brunson for writing and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, along with three Golden Globes and a Peabody Award.
“Quinta is a cultural force and one of the most original and influential storytellers in entertainment today,” said Debra OConnell, Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. “Through Abbott Elementary, she has redefined the half-hour comedy and built one of television’s most beloved and acclaimed series. We’re proud to expand our partnership and continue investing in Quinta’s extraordinary creative future.”
“I’m thrilled to officially establish Fifth Chance under the Disney and 20th Television banner,” Brunson said. “This partnership represents an exciting next chapter for me as a creator, producer, and storyteller, and I look forward to developing new projects with the incredible teams at Disney and 20th Television.”