Behind the Scenes of Season 5: New Locations and Future Plans for Abbott Elementary
SPOILER ALERT! This article contains details from the Season 5 midseason premiere of ABC’s Abbott Elementary.
Abbott Elementary made its highly anticipated return to ABC on Wednesday night, but this time the beloved teachers were not within the walls of Willard R. Abbott Elementary School.
The season resumed shortly after the midseason finale, which left the school in disrepair. The teachers learned that they would need to temporarily relocate their operations to an abandoned mall. The episode picks up just days before the holiday break ends, as the educators gather at the mall, sacrificing some of their vacation time to prepare the dilapidated building for students.
This storyline draws inspiration from creator Quinta Brunson’s observations of the students and teachers at Palisades High School, who had to move to an empty Sears in Santa Monica, California, after their school suffered severe damage from wildfires last year.
The abandoned shopping center presents numerous challenges, including leaks, broken windows, and confusing entrances and exits — issues that become even more pronounced once the students arrive. However, in true Abbott fashion, the teachers endeavor to make it work.
In a recent interview, Halpern and showrunner Patrick Schumaker discussed the logistics of filming in an abandoned mall, along with plans for the future of the ABC sitcom, which awaits renewal for a sixth season.
DEADLINE: This concept of moving a school into an abandoned mall is brilliantly funny. How did you come up with this idea?
JUSTIN HALPERN: We learned about the situation at Pali High after the fires and conducted research on schools facing structural issues in Philadelphia and beyond. It’s common for schools to relocate temporarily, and it feels daunting for educators already juggling numerous responsibilities. Quinta wanted to depict this reality, so we consulted various people, including educators and administrators who experienced similar circumstances.
PATRICK SCHUMAKER: We spoke specifically with someone from the LAUSD board to learn firsthand about relocating students from Pali High to the vacant Sears. It was enlightening to hear about the challenges for the kids and the headaches it caused for the school administration.
DEADLINE: Are they still in the mall?
SCHUMAKER: To my knowledge, yes, they were when we wrote this.
HALPERN: I assume they might be back now.
SCHUMAKER: Are they back? When we were writing it, they were still there.
DEADLINE: How long should we expect this situation to persist in the Abbott universe?
HALPERN: We want viewers to feel the uncertainty that educators experience about when they will return and what criteria will be used. We intend to keep this sense of unease, as it mirrors their experiences while still providing comfort through the show.
DEADLINE: What was creatively intriguing about this plot device?
SCHUMAKER: We leveraged the real-life location to craft our story. The mall we shot in is set to be demolished soon, making us the last crew to film there. The mall’s condition brings character, with its dark corners and past incidents enhancing the story’s authenticity. We navigated the space’s unique layout, which adds to the challenges the teachers face as they recreate their school environment.
DEADLINE: What challenges did filming present?
SCHUMAKER: There were limited options for filming, as our location manager had to negotiate costs to make it feasible. Moving a cast and crew of around 100 people to Topanga was a logistical challenge, involving transportation, lighting setups, and the need to relocate for an extended period. It was a significant production undertaking, akin to a concert tour.
DEADLINE: Luke Tennie’s character has added a fun dynamic this season. What was the idea behind introducing a new teacher?
HALPERN: High turnover is common in public schools. We aim to expand the cast while showing viewers how Janine and Gregory have evolved since Season 1. Bringing in new characters provides a benchmark for their growth. Luke brings an exceptional energy, and we look for guest stars who can introduce a fresh dynamic to the established characters.
DEADLINE: The ballpark episode was highly acclaimed. What went into creating that episode?
HALPERN: As a baseball fan, I’ve wanted to incorporate the sport into the show. This season, Quinta pushed for an episode at a Phillies game, and we worked to fit it into our production schedule. Timing was crucial, as we needed to align with the Major League Baseball calendar.
SCHUMAKER: We shot over three days in Philly, with the second day primarily inside the stadium. However, we had to strategically cater to sound requirements, resulting in dialogues shot before the actual game, coinciding with Kyle Schwarber’s unexpected performance on game day.
The production complexities required meticulous planning and adaptability in storytelling. We needed to find creative ways to stitch together shots filmed on different days, maintaining the show’s integrity while capturing the exciting ambiance of the ballpark.
DEADLINE: With Season 6 in mind, have you begun planning for the future?
SCHUMAKER: Not yet, as we’re still wrapping up Season 5, but significant milestones will set the stage for future developments.
DEADLINE: The production assistants on Abbott recently voted to unionize. What are your thoughts on this effort?
HALPERN: I fully support it. Fostering a collaborative culture is vital, and I believe every workplace should have the opportunity to unionize without fear of repercussions.
SCHUMAKER: Working in this industry can be tough. PAs have demanding schedules, and all workers deserve fair compensation and benefits. I commend their efforts and stand in solidarity with them.
