The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is visiting Abbott Elementary in a two-episode crossover event. Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Fargo) may be taking on a new role. This unlikely crossover is happening despite the two shows airing on competing networks, with Abbott Elementary on ABC and It’s Always Sunny on FXX. The episodes, airing in the new year, will feature both casts in a fun collaboration, with a sneak peek showing Day possibly joining the Abbott Elementary team, as reported by ComicBook.

ABC released photos for “Volunteers,” the ninth episode of Abbott Elementary Season 4, which begins the crossover. The episode features the Always Sunny gang inside the halls of Abbott, with Day prominently featured. While it’s possible Day may take a job at Abbott, it’s more likely he will appear as one of the volunteers helping the school. Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest) Kaitlin Olson (The Mick) Glenn Howerton (Fargo) and Danny DeVito,  (The Simpsons) are seen wearing visitor badges, hinting at their roles in the episode, according to ComicBook.

Earlier this year, the creators and stars of Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia teased the crossover. Quinta Brunson(A Black Lady sketch Show), creator of Abbott Elementary, described the crossover as exciting, although she kept the details under wraps. “I think it’ll change television as we know it,” she told Variety before the announcement. This collaboration is definitely one to look forward to, as reported by ComicBook.

Olson, known for her roles in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Mick, shared her excitement about the crossover. “It was very fun,” she said, adding that the Always Sunny gang will soon appear in Abbott Elementary. The opportunity for both casts to switch worlds—between a network show and a cable show—has been a thrilling experience, according to Olson, as reported by ComicBook.

Abbott Elementary executive producers Justin Halpern(Harley Quinn) and Patrick Schumacker(Harley Quinn) revealed that Day character will play a significant role in the episode. Initially, the crossover idea was just a joke, considering the shows’ different tones, but it quickly became a reality. Halpern and Schumacker admitted the idea was initially surprising, but it will offer an interesting storyline, according to ComicBook. 

McElhenney and  Day visited the Abbott Elementary writers’ room to brainstorm ideas for the crossover.  Schumacker shared that they worked together on broad concepts and exchanged ideas through emails. Once filming began with Day, any concerns about the contrasting tones of the shows disappeared, as reported by ComicBook.

The first part of the Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover will air on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans can tune in to see the exciting collaboration between the two shows, according to ComicBook.

The upcoming Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover promises to be a memorable event, blending the unique humor of both shows. With both casts stepping into each other’s worlds, fans are in for a fun and unexpected collaboration. As the crossover unfolds, viewers can expect Day’s role to play a central part in this exciting two-part special, airing on ABC in January 2025. This unlikely pairing of networks and tones only adds to the anticipation, with both shows embracing the opportunity to merge their distinct styles in a groundbreaking way, as reported by ComicBook.