Deadline has revealed that Ayo Edebiri will be the latest guest star to appear on ABC’s hit comedy series Abbott Elementary. Edebiri is known for her roles as Sydney in Hulu’s The Bear, Hattie in Apple TV’s Dickinson, and Missy on the animated Netflix sitcom Big Mouth.
Edebiri will star as Ayesha Teagues, Janine’s sister, who has been mentioned throughout the show of having a strained relationship with Janine and difficulty visiting her sister back home in Philly. In Wednesday’s episode, titled “Valentine’s Day,” the audience at last meet Ayesha — via FaceTime, according to Entertainment Weekly, who was first to report the news.
The EW has also provided an exclusive clip that shows Janine calling Ayesha to wish her a happy birthday. While Ayesha has a perfectly normal conversation, Janine magnifies and creates problems where there are none, all while Jacob, played by Chris Perfetti (Crossbones, In The Dark), looks on in confusion. It seems Ayesha is perhaps not as “difficult” as Janine has made her out to be, says the magazine.
Via Deadline, “Abbott Elementary follows a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — who are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Although these incredible public servants might be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do, even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.”
Quinta Brunson (A Black Lady Sketch Show, Big Mouth) created the show and stars as Janine. Among the cast are Tyler James Williams (Dear White People, Everybody Hates Chris), Janelle James (Black Monday, Central Park), Lisa Ann Walter (The Parent Trap, Bruce Almighty), William Stanford Davis (Snowpiercer, Ray Donovan), and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha, Motherland: Fort Salem). Brunson and Williams are also set to appear on the upcoming adult comedy Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special on HBO Max.
Brunson teased a picture of the upcoming episode featuring herself, cast member Janelle James, and Edebiri.
The mockumentary has won three Primetime Emmy awards, two Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globe, among others. It has also been renewed for a third season.
Abbott Elementary currently airs on ABC. New episodes of season two can also be streamed on Hulu.