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Fans of ABC hit comedy series Abbott Elementary will have to wait an extra week for the show's highly-anticipated return to its usual, Tuesday night time slot.
Last month, following the new sitcom's ninth episode, creator Quinta Brunson informed fans that Abbott Elementary would be going on a short hiatus, before returning to finish out its first season.
"After tonight's #AbbottElementary, we'll be on break for three weeks, then back with more," Brunson tweeted on February 22.
"There are thirteen episodes this season," she added.
Starring Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti as teachers at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School in Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary follows the cast of faculty members through the ups and downs of working at an underfunded public school.
Comedian Jannelle James stars as the fictional elementary school's hilarious leader, Principal Ava.
To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, Ralph (who plays beloved kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard) shared multiple on-set photos of herself alongside James, Brunson, Walter and the rest of the women featured throughout Abbott Elementary.
Ralph also confirmed the sitcom is set to return on March 22.
"The women of @AbbottElemABC hope you all had a #HappyWomensDay2022," Ralph tweeted. "We will see you back [on] air 3/22/22 [at] 9 p.m."
In the weeks since Brunson initially announced the show's hiatus, Variety reported that ABC and Scholastic have teamed up to provide free book fairs for underfunded elementary schools across the United States.
Including stops at Philadelphia's Harrity Elementary (where Brunson attended elementary school and the inspiration for Abbott Elementary), Diehl Elementary in Erie, PA, Bond Elementary in Chicago, Dayton's Bluff Elementary in Minneapolis, Freeman Elementary in Flint, MI, and Cortada Elementary and Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary schools in Los Angeles, the free book fairs will reportedly provide students with two free books apiece, and teachers with ten.
In a pair of statements, both ABC and Scholastic explained the decision to provide free books for students and teachers across the country, and reflected on the impact Abbott Elementary has had on the education community.
"Abbott Elementary shines light on and reflects the experiences and challenges faced by our country's educators," ABC Executive Vice President of Marketing Erin Weir said. "We had an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to amplify that mission in our series marketing efforts. Giving back to this deserving community has been a pillar of our campaign from day one."
"Our mission at Scholastic has always been to support teachers and provide them with the resources and materials needed to build warm, positive classroom experiences for their students," Billy DiMichele, senior vice president of creative development at Scholastic, said.
"That's why we are so thrilled to team up with ABC and Abbott Elementary—a show dedicated to uplifting educators and reflecting their experiences," DiMichele added.
Despite glowing reviews across social media and multiple record-breaking ratings performances, Abbott Elementary has yet to be renewed for a second season.
About the writer
Taylor McCloud is a Newsweek staff writer based in California. His focus is reporting on trending and viral topics. Taylor ... Read more