Note: This story contains spoilers from “Abbott Elementary” Season 4, Episode 19.
Even though Ava’s life got turned upside down after being fired as principal on “Abbott Elementary,” the last thing you would find Ava (Janelle James) doing is wallowing. Instead, the episode after the shocking exit sees Ava working her side hustles, including motivational speaking to a packed room of fans — a quality James loves in her character.
“I love that Ava is like, ‘OK, next thing.’ She’s not wallowing, she’s not begging or even really thinking about.” James told TheWrap. “I love that she just keeps it moving and pretty much leaves it to Janine, whether or not things work out. She feels like, you’re lucky to have her, so sucks for them that they would do something like that and fire her.”
James was first told about Ava’s departure from the school by “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson, who James said told her about a week before the episode was shot. “She basically told me beforehand, just so I wouldn’t feel any kind of way,” James said. “But I’ve never felt more secure in a role anyway, so I wasn’t worried — I was excited.”
Ava’s firing won’t impact James’ role in the series, clarifying she would never leave willingly, saying “they would have to drag me out of there.”
Below, James walks us through that firing scene, unpacks where Ava is at afterwards and shares her hopes for Ava in Season 5.
TheWrap: How did you want to approach that firing scene? Obviously Ava would never let the crew know she’s upset.
James: The hijinks and hilarity right up until that point — it was such a big mic drop — I love that. It was really about just keeping my performance light and unsuspecting until that very moment, so it can have the full blind-side effect, which I felt like everybody totally did feel.
I saw people crying and all of those things, so I’m honored that I’ve touched people in that way and that the moment worked. It was a big moment for the show.
What was it like playing that sweet moment between Ava and Barbara?
First of all, anytime I get to act up against Sheryl Lee Ralph, I feel like it just makes me elevate myself to match her. Watching it, I was proud, and not only of the evolution of Ava but the evolution of myself. This is my first big role. I feel like I’ve grown so much, not only in my acting, but the character and her story arc is matching my story arc of entering a new situation and having a new experience and elevating and maybe exceeding expectations. It was a dual moment for me.
This episode sees Janine trying to appeal the decision — is Ava interested in trying to get her job back at this point?
Not at this point, no. She’s a rock star, so something will have to happen, maybe in the coming episodes, that will make her realize where she actually wants to be, if anywhere.
We see Ava getting fired and now at the motivational speaking gig. Do you think she had a moment of mourning privately?
I feel like she went right to her rolodex and started making some calls and hit up her network … maybe some things she had turned down before. She keeps it moving. She’s a hustler and I love that about her.
What are the other side hustles she has?
She’s always doing some s—t at her desk. It looks like she makes lamps and crafts on the side. She has her clothes selling hustle. She’s styling Barbara. She has her TikTok channel — she probably gets brand deals through that. She’s doing the motivational speaking, not only for the school board, but probably for other things as well for herself. She has a clothing line, Avalicious. She’s doing the most, — multiple streams, as they say.
What’s been your favorite thing about digging deeper into Ava’s background this season?
I feel like this is a very Ava season, so that’s been enjoyable. We found out a lot about her, not only her dad but she has a love interest. I like that these things are happening to further her story. I have a love interest and he’s hot … But it’s also, it’s mostly to show that she is going to be a different type of person — softer, little vulnerable — but also what I love about Ava again, in the same way that she handled leaving his job, her personality doesn’t change. So even if she’s softer, she’s still the same person. It’s not like she’s done some complete 180 and now she’s just like soft life girl who’s like crying about everything. She’s showing different sides of her personality, and that’s been pleasurable to play as an actor.
What are your hopes for Ava next season?
That she’s still on the show. I want to see Ava’s house — I want to see how she lives. Is she a scammer? Is she really is as affluent as she says? Is O’Shon poor or not? Is he just good with his money?
Surprisingly, I don’t want to see a resolution with her dad. I think it can be resolved, but I don’t see her “forgiving him.” I feel like she’s an adult, it’s kind of too late for that. I think that’s a new twist to how TV usually goes … I don’t think she’s that person. But that can also bring her some closure as well — he comes back, she rejects it in her way, and that’s a closure on that part. She can stop holding on to that as well, and then that will maybe feed into her becoming more open with O’Shon.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
“Abbott Elementary” premieres Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
