In Wednesday night’s episode of Abbott Elementary, Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris, The Walking Dead) who plays Gregory Eddie was notably absent. Instead Jerry Minor(Parks and Recreation, The Last O.G.) who plays Mr. Morton takes center stage, attempting to rally the teachers for the upcoming science fair. The episode marked a significant milestone for Williams, who made his directorial debut for Episode 413, an opportunity he’s been contemplating since childhood.
“I think the first time I got interested in directing is when we did Everybody Hates Chris,” Williams shared with Deadline. “Jerry Levine would let me look behind the camera and see how things worked, and that really educated me on the process.”
Williams’ decision to direct for Abbott Elementary came after a conversation with series creator Quinta Brunson. “I went to Quinta at the end of last season and said, ‘I think I may want to take a shot at directing an episode,'” Williams said. “She immediately walked me over to Randall Einhorn, and he was all in.” The team found a way to make Williams’ directorial debut work by choosing a “Gregory-light” episode.
“We never want to take away from the story by just writing it that way,” Williams explained. “Once we got to the science fair storyline, we realized Gregory didn’t need to be as present, and that’s when the decision was made.”
While directing, Williams leaned heavily on his experience working with Abbott‘s cast and crew for four seasons. “It felt like second nature because I’ve spoken the visual language of the show for years,” he explained. Randall Einhorn, the show’s executive producer and director, mentored Williams throughout the process, sharing his expertise on camera placement and shot composition. “You have to fall into the mind of the storyteller, the cinematographer, and the camera operator,” Williams added.
Williams’ time directing also highlighted his ability to connect with the child actors on set, a skill he credits to his own experiences as a child actor. “I understand their minds,” he shared. “As a child actor, I experienced directors who thought they needed to dumb things down for me. It was nice to treat them as artists and see them flourish.” He praised young actress Lela Hoffmeister (who plays Courtney) for her ability to grasp complex ideas and bring them to life, stating, “She’ll find the moments herself.”
Reflecting on his transition to directing, Williams described it as both therapeutic and a validation of his own experiences growing up in the industry. “Seeing this new generation of kids who are equally as good makes me feel less crazy about my own journey,” he said. “It’s nice to approach things differently, making it fun and teaching them things they can use later.”
Williams is also eager to explore other formats and genres in the future, although he is committed to Abbott for now. “I love network TV, specifically,” he said. “But eventually, I’ll break out and see if I can take my particular voice and enhance a show.” As the show moves into its fifth season, Abbott Elementary is breaking new ground in network comedy, with Williams expressing pride in the show’s success. “We’ve somehow maintained the quality,” he said. “I hope other creators can look at what we’re doing and apply it to make the industry healthier.”
Williams’ debut as a director on Abbott Elementary proves that his talents extend beyond acting. With the support of his cast and crew, he’s helped bring a fresh perspective to the beloved series. As the show continues its run, fans can look forward to more behind-the-scenes creativity from Williams and the Abbott team.