Sheryl Lee Ralph Says “Abbott Elementary” Could Run as Long as “Grey’s Anatomy”, Which Is on Season 23 (Exclusive)
Sheryl Lee Ralph Says “Abbott Elementary” Could Run as Long as “Grey’s Anatomy”, Which Is on Season 23 (Exclusive)
Brian Anthony Hernandez, Scott HuverSun, October 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC
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‘Abbott Elementary’ season 6 promo (2026); ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 23 promo (2026)Credit: Disney (2) -
Sheryl Lee Ralph discussed Abbott Elementary’s potential longevity ahead of the sitcom’s Oct. 7 season 6 premiere
The Emmy-winning actress exclusively told PEOPLE, “If Grey’s Anatomy could be on for 20 years, why can’t we?”
Ralph won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Barbara Howard in 2022
Sheryl Lee Ralph has a vision for the future of Abbott Elementary.
The 69-year-old actress, who won an Emmy for her role as Barbara Howard in the ABC and Hulu comedy, discussed the mockumentary sitcom’s potential longevity in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at Project Angel Food’s Angel Awards Gala honoring Chuck Lorre in Los Angeles.
“I love Barbara Howard so much,” Ralph said of her beloved character, who teaches kindergarten and music, ahead of Abbott Elementary’s Oct. 7 season 6 premiere. “I’m not going to tell you I’m tired of her because I’m not tired of her. I want to take this journey with her.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph and William Stanford Davis at Project Angel Food’s Angel Awards on Sept. 26, 2026Credit: Tommaso Boddi/Getty
As for how long that journey might be, she said, “If this show lasts for five more seasons — that would be 11 seasons now — I would love to still be with her, and just as I continue to grow, I really hope Barbara Howard continues to grow, but it’s all in the hands of Quinta Brunson in the writers’ room.”
Ralph then emphasized she could “absolutely” see the series go on for decades, saying, “I look at it like this: If Grey’s Anatomy could be on for 20 years, why can’t we?”
Grey’s Anatomy, which debuted in 2005, will have its season 23 premiere on Oct. 15, just a few days after Abbott Elementary’s season 6 premiere.
Since debuting in 2021, Abbott Elementary has achieved commercial and critical acclaim, earning 37 Emmy nominations and winning four awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series in 2022.
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Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara and Chris Perfetti as Jacob in ‘Abbott Elementary’ season 6 (2026)Credit: Disney/Gilles Mingasson
In the same year, Ralph took home the hardware for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (she has been nominated three more times since then), while show creator and star Brunson won Outstanding Lead Actress for her role as Janine Teagues in 2023.
Ralph became the second Black woman to win an Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category after Jackée Harry, who won for 227 in 1987.
The actress celebrated by singing a verse from jazz singer Diane Reeves’ 1993 song “Endangered Species” before giving her acceptance speech.
‘Abbott Elementary’ season 6 promo featuring Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, William Stanford Davis, Lisa Ann Walter, Quinta Brunson, Janelle James and Sheryl Lee RalphCredit: Disney
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“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t wouldn’t couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you,” she said.
Ralph added, “Because if you get a Quinta Brunson, if you get a husband [Vincent Hughes] like mine in your corner. If you get children like mine in your corner, and if you’ve got friends like everybody who voted for me, cheered for me, loved me, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
