One of the best shows on TV right now, the award-winning Abbott Elementary follows a group of dedicated, passionate teachers thrown together in a Philadelphia public school (the equivalent of a state school in the UK) – which means it’s packed to the brim with sharp commentary on major systemic issues, laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming life lessons. 

It also, though, boasts the sort of slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they romance that shippers everywhere yearn for in Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams). So, when season two gave us a long-awaited kiss between the two co-workers, we assumed they’d finally realise they were meant to be. Sadly, they chalked it up to a drunken moment and decided to go back to being awkwardly in love with one another from afar.

And, judging by the trailer for Abbott Elementary season three, things aren’t about to get any less awkward anytime soon:

“Oh no, no, no, no. Gregory and I are good,” says Janine at one point.

“Yeah, we’re fine,” agrees Gregory, in the least fine tone we’ve ever encountered.

Keen to know what’s next for the pair and the rest of the school faculty? Here’s everything you need to know about Abbott Elementary season three.

What’s Abbott Elementary season three about?

As you’ve likely gathered from the trailer, the third season of the critically lauded series will focus on the evolving relationship between Janine and Gregory.

It will also, however, see the school undergo a massive shakeup, as principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) becomes… well, becomes a rule-obsessed tyrant.

Cue Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) doing their utmost to push back against Ava’s newfound sternness while a terrified Jacob (Chris Perfetti) cheers them on from the sidelines.

“She must be stopped!” he declares.

Who will star in Abbott Elementary season 3?

The entire core cast – that’s Brunson, Williams, James, Ralph, Walter and Perfetti – will be back doing what they do best: making us laugh and cry in equal measure.

William Stanford Davis will also reprise his role as Mr Johnson.

What are people saying about Abbott Elementary season three?

As well as the continuation of Janine and Gregory’s slow burn romance, Abbott Elementary showrunner, Justin Halpern, has revealed to Decider that there will also be a larger theme for the show’s third season. 

“The second season ended up talking about charter schools and the push and pull of those, and the first season was sort of about the challenges of being woefully underfunded,” he said. “And so I think we have an idea, we’ve talked with [creator and star] Quinta, and I think there’s a larger overarching idea that we’ve sort of landed on for season three that I think is really interesting, and I’ve never seen it on TV before.”

When and where can we watch Abbott Elementary season three?

The mockumentary series will premiere on Disney+ in the UK on Wednesday 8 May.

Images: Disney+