Janelle James Recalls How her Younger ‘Abbott Elementary’ Co-Star Humbled Her

Class is almost back in session at Abbott Elementary — but some of our beloved staff is still getting schooled.

During a panel at San Diego Comic Con on Thursday, July 30, the cast of Abbott promoted the show’s upcoming fifth season. They also looked back on some of the memories they’ve made on set over the past few years. In a video shared by Vulture, Janelle James — who plays principal Ava Coleman on Abbott — recalled a moment when a younger cast member served her up a slice of humble pie.

The young actress was Lela Hoffmeister, who plays Courtney — a quick-witted, gifted student, who often backtalks her teachers and classmates. James joked that Hoffmeister is her “nemesis in real life.”

One time on set, Hoffmeister approached James with a very specific question. “She came up to me and she said ‘Are you in any movies?’” James said. At the time, she hadn’t booked any feature film roles, and most of her credits were in television and stand-up. “I said ‘No, why do you ask?’ And she was like ‘No reason.’”

James asked the question back, “I said ‘Why? Are you in any movies?’ She said ‘three!’”

While James was still an up-and-comer at the time, her portrayal of the humorous and absent-minded principal has propelled her into a household name, and one of the most in-demand comedians in the industry. She has since starred in two movies — as a phlebotomist named Ruby in One of them Days, and as the voice of a cat named Olivia in 2024’s The Garfield Movie. So she may soon catch up to her young rival.

Earlier this month, the second part of the Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover aired on FX, which featured lost mockumentary footage from the first part of the episode — and some hilarious f-bomb drops from Ava, as well as Quinta Brunson’s Janine.

Fans can look forward to the fifth season of Abbott Elementary premiering Wednesday, October 1 on ABC.