Good One Janelle James Is Her 'Abbott Elementary' Character in Real Life
Nov 20, 2025
Janelle James, a stand-up comedian and acclaimed actor from 'Abbott Elementary', dives into her vibrant journey on the show and in comedy. She shares her hilarious family soda pitch story and reflects on the evolution of her character, Principal Ava. Janelle discusses how the writers adapt Ava to her unique voice, her darker humor origins, and the balance of family life with her comedy career. With anecdotes about touring and interactions with fans, she embraces her dual identity as both Janelle and Ava.
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Instant Recognition Of A Hit
- Janelle James immediately knew Abbott Elementary would succeed from the clear, laugh-out-loud pilot and well-drawn characters.
- She recognized Ava and the show's tone right away and trusted that ABC would pick it up if executed well.
Character Growth Mirrors Actor Growth
- Ava slowed down and revealed emotional depth as the series progressed, mirroring Janelle's acting growth.
- James shifted from punching jokes to adding emotional nuance and relaxed delivery over seasons.
Writers Wrote To Her Voice
- Writers adapted to Janelle's real voice, which then fed back into Ava's dialogue and choices.
- James realized the show increasingly wrote to her existing personality, making Ava more like her over time.