Tyler James Williams teases big changes for Gregory after “Abbott Elementary” season 5 finale

Mekishana PierreThu, April 23, 2026 at 1:01 AM UTC

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Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams on 'Abbott Elementary'Credit: Disney/Gilles MingassonKey Points -

Abbott Elementary ended its fifth season on a high note with a two-episode finale featuring this year's Ava Fest and a trip to Miami.

Things are definitely looking up for Gregory and Janine after their earlier split, which actor Tyler James Williams tells EW he's very grateful for.

"I know everyone hates me for how I relate to their relationship," the Golden Globe winner quips. "But it really was [my favorite storyline]."

This article contains spoilers from Abbott Elementary season 5, episode 21, "Ava & Fest," and episode 22, "Miami."

Put down your pitchforks, Abbott Elementary fans! Things have finally been set to rights after the Emmy-winning series broke viewers' hearts by breaking up onscreen couple Janine Teagues (played by show creator and star Quinta Brunson) and Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams)

Brunson was unapologetic when speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the decision to end the couple's relationship over a botched attempt to plan their first trip, after seasons of waiting for them to finally get together. Despite knowing the move would send fans into a tizzy over episode 19's emotional cliffhanger, Brunson shared that the fight was something she and the sitcom writers were excited about seeing played out.

"I think [we were excited] because Jeanine and Gregory are two characters we know very well, and more than anything, two characters we think we know very well. So we think we know their relationship. We feel settled with it," she said. "But I think as with any relationship, the inside has its own dynamics. And I thought that they've been in such an easy ride since they got together, it was interesting to all of us to see some different layers there."

Quinta Brunson, Chris Perfetti, and Tyler James Williams on 'Abbott Elementary'Credit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson

And Williams, who has been vocal about wanting to see some conflict in Janine and Gregory's love life before, wholeheartedly echoes the sentiment when speaking with EW ahead of Wednesday's season finale.

"I know everyone hates me for how I relate to their relationship," the Golden Globe winner says. "But it really was [my favorite storyline]."

The actor adds that he hopes viewers understand "how much care and thought" Brunson put into crafting the clash between the couple with the show's writers. "We've always talked a lot about Janine and Gregory and their relationship and how it moves and the big moments," he says. "But she was working both sides of that argument and really making sure that everything that the audience felt was intentional in a way that I haven't seen her do yet on this show, which is saying something, right? Because she's so intentional at everything that she does."

"Every audience reaction that somebody sent me, is every reaction that she planned people to have," he adds, laughing. "And I think it's just a sign of masterful writing at this point."

Tyler Hames Williams and Chris Perfetti on 'Abbott Elementary'Credit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson

After season 5's "Trip" episode saw Janine and Gregory's relationship implode over their inability to compromise over the mode of transportation to take for their desired vacation, it takes two episodes for the two to finally mend their split.

"I think because what Abbott has always done is shown that simple things aren't always that simple, right? So, I think that there's something really important with people seeing this couple in particular go through an argument that can be big for them," Williams tells EW of the unexpected turn for the characters' relationship. "I think we live in a culture right now where it's kind of like, 'I don't like that you did this' and just walk away kind of a thing."

Williams says he enjoyed exploring Janine and Gregory, "two people that we all know need each other and there really is nobody else for the two of you," having to figure out how to get past those blockades to make it work. "I think it's very important. I've always wanted to show a realistic portrayal of dating in this era," he adds. "I feel like it's gonna be really hard to explain when we're in our, you know, 50s and 60s, but I think this moment and these two characters can help do that and we can kind of see them stumble, but still get back on their feet."

And get back on their feet they did! By the end of episode 21's "Ava & Fest" — and with the surprise help of Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) — Janine and Gregory realize the root of their argument goes deeper than just deciding between taking a plane or driving, and resolve to figure out something that works better for both of them.

And thankfully, they realize they can use the upcoming (fictional) Pennsylvania Educational Conference for the Southeast Area in Miami as the jumping off point for an island getaway, with a shorter and less expensive flight. Which leads to a much happier couple heading into episode 22's "Miami" — so much happier that Gregory reveals he's ready to take the next step in his relationship with Janine.

While some may be surprised at Gregory telling Ava's boyfriend O'Shon (Matthew Law) that he's looking to propose to Janine so soon after their momentary split, Williams tells EW that the move shows exactly where Gregory was coming from in that argument to begin with.

"To me, it's a glimpse into the fight. What I thought was really beautiful about that argument is the argument was about the future," he shares. "For Gregory's side of the argument, it wasn't about the vacation. It was about longer-term patterns, which to me was a dead ringer. I was like, 'Oh, I know where this conversation is going.'"

Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Tyler James WilliamsCredit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson

The actor points out that from Gregory's perspective, the "root" of his argument with Janine is his desire to "build a structure and a foundation for this relationship that he hopes can last and stand the test of time."

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"He wants to be with [Janine] in the long-term and, [I think] it's a thing that happens a lot with men regarding money and starting families, you know, at the end of the day it's gonna be easier to do this with more of it and that's just kinda how it is," Williams continues. (How very Julius of him...)

"The fact that he's trying to put his foot down here, and she's talking about the short term, but he's talking about the long is, to me, miscommunication," he laments. "They're not talking about the same thing, although they're talking about the same thing. And I think that happens for a lot of couples. He wouldn't have had that argument with somebody who he didn't really care that way about."

Tyler James Williams, Quinta BrunsonCredit: Gilles Mingasson/Disney

There's no doubt the knowledge that Gregory is hoping to lock down what he's got will make viewers very happy — just in time for everyone to get fired!

Brunson previously warned EW that there would be "a lot of unexpected [things] happening in that [episode] besides us being in Miami," but we still weren't prepared for that bombshell.

"Our writers are still, five seasons in, finding ways to keep us guessing and have an angle that you wouldn't normally see," Williams quips about the many twists and turns in the final two episodes of the season. "It's really a beautiful thing."

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The teachers of Abbott go through a rollercoaster of emotions after the announcement that the school is one of several closing down. And when it's revealed that the decision has been reversed, we wouldn't be surprised if viewers suffered from some whiplash. Turns out, district employees ultimately found it pointless to close a school they just spent money on a new furnace for. (Thanks to Melissa and Ava's shenanigans back in episode 8!)

But with other schools closing, that means more students are heading to Abbott, and they'll need extra hands on deck. Including a new assistant principal — cueing Gregory Eddie's time to shine!

Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams on 'Abbott Elementary'Credit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson

It's a full-circle moment for the character that Williams is only too happy to carry out. "It's part of that journey for him," he shares. "You can get there. It may not look like what you thought it would look like or what you think it should look like, but you can still get there... He still got to where he wanted to get to. It looked different, and it took five years, but he wasn't ready in the first place."

The sentiment applies to all things Abbott, but it's especially poignant for Gregory, who came in wanting that job and grew to love his work as a teacher.

"He needed to learn things in order to get to this position. And now we all appreciate it more, including him," Williams notes. "I love seeing him realize that it takes more than just him to make it through his life. He showed up as somebody who was proud to be a substitute in the sense of, 'I'm not here concretely.' Yet, you see him now making these relationships and asking people for help and becoming more involved in this community."

He continues, "That, to me, is ultimately where most people should be, reaching out more frequently rather than less. And I think for him, that's huge."

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, and Chris Perfetti on 'Abbott Elementary'Credit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson

However, in typical Abbott fashion, it won't be without its shenanigans, especially considering the promotion means Gregory and Ava (Janelle James) will be working closely together.

"They're gonna need to exchange information and see each other as equals in order to do so," Williams acknowledges. "I would love to see it, and I'm curious to see how they learn to work together. As we know with Gregory, he tends to oversimplify things and think that things are simpler than they are. And my favorite thing to perform is an overwhelmed Gregory, which happens quite frequently. I'm looking forward to seeing the ways that this overwhelms him, because from those moments he grows."

Thankfully, Abbott Elementary has already been renewed for season 6, so Brunson and the writers can jump right into action. Until then, the series is available to stream on Hulu.

on Entertainment Weekly

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