Abbott Elementary Needs To Dissect Mr. Johnson’s Life Before Abbott
From Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) to Ava Coleman (Janelle James), the main cast of Abbott Elementary has been fleshed out to understand their decision-making further, except one — Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis). Understanding his home life could help viewers understand his emotional reactions to his colleagues.
Abbott Elementary is set to return with season 5, premiering this fall. The mockumentary has dissected the layers of most of its main cast, furthering the reasoning why the staff continue to work for an underfunded and under-supported school in the Philadelphia public school system.
And it’s not just the viewers who want to learn more about Mr. Johnson’s home life; it’s the writers in the writing room, too.
Mr. Johnson Is The Only Character We Don’t Know Enough About
William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson in Abbott Elementary
Mr. Johnson is the one side character audiences don’t know enough about. Janine’s home life has been dissected over four seasons. Her issues with her mom, Vanetta, were slowly explained on Abbott Elementary, and her fears around dating a colleague were heavily explained. However, after learning about her home life, fears, and goals, Janine’s character was rounded out.
Joining Janine were Barbara Howard, Melissa Schemmenti, Ava Coleman, Gregory Eddy, and Jacob Hill. Family members and partners have met, which really explains why each character acts the way they do.
Unlike his colleagues, Mr. Johnson has never introduced members of his family. Most of his life’s stories have been a long strand of contrasting jobs and scenarios that leave his friends wondering what’s true and what’s not.
Abbott Elementary writers Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern both shared their desire to learn more about Mr. Johnson to The Wrap. Halpern shared, “I want to meet some of Mr. Johnson’s family,” before Schumacker chimed in “I want to meet Mr. Johnson’s grandfather.”
“We always make jokes in the writers’ room that Mr. Johnson references his alive grandparents.”
Fans have theorized what Mr. Johnson’s life is like outside of school (or even what his first name is). Meeting his family members or those who have been a part of his vastly intriguing life would help dissect his character.
Dissecting Mr. Johnson’s Family Life Is Important To The Series
Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) and Cedric (Eric Andre) in Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 10, “Testing.”
Just as it was important to flesh out Ava Coleman to understand her reactions and behaviors, it’s as important to expand Mr. Johnson. Understanding why Mr. Johnson behaves the way he does or lives a life of mystery that rounds out the main group.
It happened in season 3 when the group of teachers learned that Gregory’s mother had passed away years prior, forcing the tension between him and his father. It then happens in season 4 when Ava lets O’Shon know that her poor relationship with men stems from her father abandoning her family.
Understanding these dark tunnels allows viewers to feel a deep understanding of the characters. It rounds out the series and makes a general mockumentary more genuine and multidimensional.
Because Mr. Johnson is so mysterious and says outlandish things that are often confused with an alternate reality, it would help viewers understand where he comes from and who’s in his life outside of Abbott Elementary.
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