Abbott Elementary season 4 finally gave us fans the Janine and Gregory content we'd been waiting for! After three seasons, the hit ABC comedy series showed us their relationship and how they are as a couple. It definitely made our shipper hearts so happy! Though there was also another unexpected duo that we started rooting for - Ava and O'Shon.
There's something that clicks between the principal and school district IT rep right away, but it takes a while for O'Shon to ask Ava out on a date. Even so, in their scenes together it's obvious how much he likes her, and how much she is interested in him as well even though she tries to hide it in her own Ava way.
For now, the two are also going strong and we're so glad to see it! That was solidified in the Abbott Elementary season 4 finale, episode 22, "Please Touch Museum," when the two had a conversation about their relationship and wanting to keep each other around long term. And it was a line during this scene in particular that actress Janelle James initially had an issue with because of the way it was phrased.
Speaking with Variety, she shared that the line in the script was "maybe you want to go out with me long term" instead of what made the cut which is "maybe I'll keep you long term." The first one really bothered James because she felt like Ava wouldn't say that. Here's what she told the news outlet:
"I was mad all day. Usually, I’m like, 'Oh, this is great,' but this one line—originally, it was, 'Maybe you want to go out with me long term.' And I was like, 'Ava would not ask a man!' She wouldn’t have that kind of pleading tone. I just hated it. I didn’t like it."
As James said, it bothered her all day and she did not want to let it go. And honestly? We're so glad she didn't because she's definitely right! The change in that one line really does make a difference and fits the character so much better. It was even to the point where she'd thought about it all day and came up with the new line as shooting was basically done and the cast and crew were ready to wrap for the day. She also told Variety:
"We’d already shot it, and Randall [Einhorn], our director, was about to break the set down. But I told him I had something better. And he was like, 'Let’s do it.' So we got the cameras back up, reshot the scene—and that’s what made it in. That made me very happy."
It's a known fact that when it comes to the dialogue and scripts, it's the writers who are in charge and have final say. Many times, especially on a show that's been going on for years like Abbott Elementary, sometimes if the actors don't feel comfortable about something, they'll make a suggestion. There's times where the writers will agree, and other times where they don't.
It's really great to see that not only are the Abbott writers a little more collaborative, given that creator and star Quinta Brunson is leading the charge here, but even director Einhorn didn't ignore James' suggestion. This is not always the norm in the industry, so this made me happy as a fan to hear as well. I'm really looking forward to continuing to see Ava and O'Shon's relationship develop in season 5!
Abbott Elementary season 5 premieres sometime in fall 2025 on ABC.
More ABC news from GeekSided: