‘Abbott Elementary’ Star Tyler James Williams on Growing Up (Mostly) Unscathed and His Show’s Supportive Teacher Fanbase

Tyler James Williams has experienced several different kinds of fandom since childhood, starting with films like Unaccompanied Minors, and then his starring role in Everybody Hates Chris, and even a stint on The Walking Dead. But theres nothing that compares to the passionate audience of teachers who have gravitated his latest series, ABCs hit comedy Abbott Elementary.

On this episode, Williams talks about the shows resonance, his experience as a child actor, where his characters relationship with Quinta Brunsons character might be heading and so much more. Listen below!

Its such a blessing that they feel so represented by it, Williams tells Varietys Awards Circuit podcast. Now I feel like, if theres a teacher within ten blocks of me, Im going to know about it. Theyre going to say something. I didnt realize how much this show resonated with them until going back out into the world. And seeing how willing they are to give all of the love towards us. Its really been one of the more beautiful experiences of my career.

That reaction has had a real impact on the shows stars and producers. Williams has also felt the importance of his character in particular, a young Black man who is also a teacher. Its in every script that comes in, every scene that were breaking down, Im thinking about it, he says. We had an episode about this, actually, when you realize that theres a certain responsibility that comes with that.

We talked to Williams in May, after the WGA writers strike had already gotten underway. Williams remembers the 2007-2008 strike he was shooting Everybody Hates Chris as a kid at the time and how scary it felt for everybody. Because that one went on for a while. And there were shows that, when we came back to the Paramount lot, didnt come back with us. I didnt even realize that was a thing or a possibility. And what I remember being explained to me, the word new media kept coming up a lot. That was the first time Id ever heard that term. And it was being thrown around left and right to cover all types of genres of content. I didnt fully understand it then. And now seeing where we are, its like, holy shit. I see why it was such a conversation.

Abbott Elementary would have opened its Season 3 writers room at the start of June, with an eye toward starting up production in July which clearly wont happen at this point. I know that a lot of our writers room is very active right now in the strike, he says. And I applaud them for that, because its a difficult decision to make when youre on a show thats doing well. Because it could compromise what the next season looks like, what the episode count looks like.

Abbott is part of a disappearing trend of full season, 22-episode orders, which Williams calls exhausting but gratifying to pull off. The sitcom continues to receive accolades including the Golden Globe for best comedy in January. (Williams won the Globe for outstanding supporting actor in a TV series that same night.) Abbott became the table to be at as the shows stars and producers celebrated their big night.

We always have a really good energy at these things, Williams says. I think partially, because were in the middle of filming our season. So were exhausted. And a little delirious. Were just trying to have as much fun with it as possible. Theres something really great about assuming youre not going to win a category because you have a good time. And youre like, Im just happy to be here. The people who were in my category, there was no way in hell I had a shot. Then, sometimes you get pleasantly surprised and its even more beautiful than he thought.

Asked if he ever watches those Everybody Hates Chris episodes from his youth, Williams notes that he doesnt even watch Abbott now. I cant do it, he says. Because whatll end up happening is Ill see something and Ill be having a good time. And then Ill see one thing I dont like and Ill just spiral out of control. Im not one of those people who can really do that too frequently. The Everybody Hates Chris era, its weird how foreign it feels now. I feel like I watch this, its almost watching a different a different person. And I have to remind myself that its me.

When we point out that Williams seems to have come through childhood fame unscathed, he admits that he feels like he has gotten better at coping with it. But its still weird. Its very strange to see things thatll pop across my timeline or my YouTube algorithm by accident. Who is that child? Im aware that that child is me. But who is that child?

Williams at least has his siblings to lean on, both of whom have also worked in Hollywood since they were kids: Tyrel Jackson Williams (Party Down) and Tylen Jacob Williams (Instant Mom). Its great that my brothers also have the same story because we can talk about it together, Williams says. Its our weird family dynamic. So much of our childhood was on television. We dont know anything else.

Williams says the brothers are each others biggest fans. Because we see our progression as artists over time. Coincidentally, because Tyrel is on the revival of Party Down, theyre both contenders in the comedy supporting actor category. I have two people that I want to eventually lose either an Emmy or Globe to, Williams says. One is [Abbott co-star] Chris Perfetti. And the other one is my brother. That would be an ideal world for me. Nothing would make me happier.

As for what he hopes to see next on Abbott, will his character and Quinta Brunsons character, Janine, become a full-fledged couple? Does he want that? I really go back and forth. Theres so much of their work relationship that I really love. And we all know that with romantic and work relationships, there comes conflict. I like the purity of the work relationship. But obviously, the romantic side is there.

Varietys Awards Circuit podcast, produced by Michael Schneider, is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week Awards Circuit features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post weekly.