William Stanford Davis Reflects On 5 Seasons Of Abbott Elementary & Its Impact On The TV Industry

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I’ve been watching William Stanford Davis on TV since the 90s, and honestly, I think he’s absolutely killing it as Mr. Johnson on Abbott Elementary. They introduced him as the school’s grumpy janitor in the first episode, and he’s just stolen the show ever since. He’s hilarious with his dry comments, totally unique personality, and it seems like he can clean anything! He’s quickly become a favorite character for me.

While Davis is usually seen as a tough character, season 5 of Abbott Elementary has started to reveal more about his personal life. We learned, for example, that he’s fallen in love with Miss Carroll, a fellow stickler for cleanliness. And in an upcoming episode on April 8th, viewers will discover that beneath his gruff exterior, Davis truly cares about Abbott Elementary and its students.

During a recent interview with ScreenRant, it was evident that Janelle James cares deeply about the young actors on Abbott Elementary, just as much as she cares about playing her character. The experienced actor discussed the valuable lessons she tries to share with them on set, praised Quinta Brunson’s impact on television, and shared what she hopes to see happen with her character, Mr. Johnson, in future episodes.

What The Future Holds For Mr. Johnson & Abbott Elementary

ScreenRant asked about the fun surprises and guest stars in Abbott Elementary, specifically mentioning the crossover with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the Phillies game episode. They want to know if there are any other surprises coming up.

I can’t say even if I knew! But I’d really like to do more episodes that connect with other shows. Working with the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was a blast, and Danny DeVito was fantastic – he was game for anything.

There was a moment during filming where the actor was already in the raccoon trap, covered in mud, when we arrived on set. I was amazed! I told Tyler, one of the crew, that we needed to be more prepared – he was completely committed and ready to go, already embracing the dirt. It would have taken me days to get into that headspace, and I definitely would have been much more careful about getting messy!

I really enjoyed that experience, and I’d love to see more collaborations like it in the future. Quinta has introduced some fantastic guests, and I expect that high quality to continue. Hopefully, it will!

ScreenRant: How would you describe Mr. Johnson’s storyline in the remaining episodes of the season?

William Stanford Davis says Mr. Johnson is deeply invested in the school and genuinely wants the best for the students. He believes Mr. Johnson cares about the kids more than anyone else there, and even considers him to be the most intelligent person in the school – smarter than all the teachers.

I’m being careful not to reveal too much, because I could get in trouble for spoiling anything! [Laughs] All I can say is that the group takes a trip, and one person isn’t thrilled about being left behind. That’s all I’ll say for now – it’s a hilarious episode. They’ve all been funny, but this one feels extra special, and I think viewers will really love it. And keep an eye on Mr. Johnson – he has some great moments too.

I’m really curious about something regarding Mr. Johnson – does he even have a first name that’s been officially established? I’d love to know what it is, and I’m hoping the show will reveal it to us at some point! It feels like a little detail that would really add to his character.

William Stanford Davis says he’s not sure what’s going to happen, but he believes the mystery will be solved in the very last episode of the final season. He’s even offered some of his own ideas about how it might all unfold!

We’ll probably find out eventually, but I’m enjoying the mystery for now. Let’s see how much longer we can keep the anticipation going.

William Stanford Davis Is Ready To Revisit His Abbott Elementary Romance

Despite Janine and Gregory’s storyline, many viewers think Mr. Johnson might actually have the most compelling romance this season. Fans are now wondering if we’ll see more of Ms. Carol, or at least learn more about her, in future episodes.

William Stanford Davis expressed hope for the return of a character, admitting the show’s creators kept her potential return a secret. After her initial appearance, it wasn’t clear if she’d be back, but Davis suspected she would be. He joked that those with more information – like Sheryl, Lisa, and Janelle – were sworn to secrecy and wouldn’t reveal anything to him.

Everyone had a great time, and it seems likely Khandi Alexander will return for a few episodes next season – I really hope she does, as she’s a joy to work with. She’s a truly talented actress, and I’ve been a fan since her days on shows like The Corner, What’s Love Got to Do With It, and Scandal.

Let me tell you, this actress came to set completely prepared. She immediately showed me a few tweaks to my performance, suggesting, ‘Try it this way – it’ll be funnier.’ And honestly, she nailed it! She dove right in, we bounced ideas off each other, and we really worked to make the scene feel authentic. It was a collaborative and genuinely enjoyable experience.

ScreenRant asked if there are any other parts of Mr. Johnson’s life they’d like to see covered, or any unanswered questions they have about him.

I’ve shared some ideas with the team. I’m not going to reveal which actresses I had in mind, but I think it would be really interesting to cast Mr. Johnson’s mother. He completely changes around her – he’s very respectful and almost childlike. I’ve given them my thoughts on who could play her, but they don’t seem to be taking my suggestions seriously. [laughs]

I initially brought up the idea of a love interest for Mr. Johnson. During a red carpet interview, they asked who we thought it should be, and I playfully suggested Halle Berry. To my surprise, it became a big topic! Quinta and I found it hilarious. Then, a producer mentioned an upcoming episode that involved this idea, but they kept the details secret from me, wanting me to be surprised when I read the script.

I really enjoyed how it was written – it made everyone laugh, which is exactly what I hoped for. It was perfectly funny, and that’s all I wanted.

Lessons William Stanford Davis Learned (And Taught!) At Abbott Elementary

Being a regular on Abbott Elementary has been a total game-changer for me. It’s not just about getting more opportunities – which is amazing, don’t get me wrong! – but it’s also given me a much deeper understanding of how the whole TV world actually works. I’m seeing everything with fresh eyes, and it’s been an incredible learning experience. It’s opened so many doors I didn’t even know existed, and I feel like I’m really growing as an actor and understanding the industry on a whole new level. As a movie and TV lover, it’s a dream come true.

For me, the show has really grown since Quinta Brunson became showrunner. There aren’t many Black showrunners in general, and even fewer Black women – there was really only Shonda Rhimes before that.

Shonda Rhimes has paved the way for many young women in producing and leadership roles, and I’ve definitely noticed that shift in recent years. With the continued success of shows like Abbott Elementary, things are still changing. We’re seeing more and more progress, and now one of our writers has gone on to produce her own series. While I was sad to see her go, I’m thrilled for her new opportunity.

This is a major shift. People are finally realizing the value and contributions of these young women.

You’ve had a really diverse career, working in theater, radio, and television. What were the most important things you learned from those experiences that helped you when you began working on Abbott Elementary?

William Stanford Davis emphasizes the importance of dedicated practice in any profession. He explains that during his time in radio, he meticulously studied talk show hosts and DJs, analyzing their techniques to improve his own skills. This training still influences how he listens to the radio today, prompting him to consider the motivations behind questions and anticipate where conversations will go, regardless of whether it’s talk or music.

If you want to succeed in any profession, like becoming a doctor or an actor, you need to dedicate yourself to learning and always put in your best effort. It’s important to treat every job with the same level of seriousness and recognize that all work has value.

I met a teacher last night who told me how much she enjoys the show. I told her that while I don’t want to sound predictable by thanking her for her service, I truly believe teachers deserve to be paid as much as doctors. Doctors save individual lives, but teachers impact so many lives, and I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for them. Several teachers in my family have had to take on multiple jobs during the summer just to make ends meet.

Whatever you do, really focus on getting good at it. Whether you’re cleaning, fixing things, or anything else, strive to be the best. That’s my advice for anyone who loves their work. Every job has its challenges and setbacks, so it’s important to persevere. It might take time to achieve your goals, but don’t lose sight of them.

Mr. Johnson, while you’re not formally an educator, you often find yourself guiding so many young actors on set each day. What’s it like having a role in shaping their development?

We respond to questions from the audience, who are learning as we go. We encourage participation, like when someone raises their hand, and as a group, we help guide them towards understanding. We point out what’s happening and explain the reasons behind it, often referencing specific moments to make things clearer.

It’s really special when fans, especially kids, come up to me. They’re excited to say hello, wave, and get photos with their parents, which I always happily do. I know those moments will stick with them – not just the kindness, but the whole experience of being on the show and meeting me. They’ll remember the advice I gave them, things they heard from Sheryl Lee Ralph or Quinta, and all the little details. I hope those memories will inspire and help them, no matter what they do in life.

ScreenRant asked about the recent April Fool’s episode of the show and noted that Mr. Johnson seems like a natural prankster. They then wondered if the interviewer could share any particularly funny moments from past seasons.

There have been so many funny moments! In the last episode, when Sheryl said “Satan’s vapors,” I was cracking up – my wife even wondered if I was okay! It’s hilarious because Sheryl’s character is usually so refined and speaks so clearly, and that’s how the actress is in real life too. I adore her, we have a great time together, and she really throws herself into that kind of comedic role. She typically plays very sophisticated characters, so it’s always a fun surprise to see her be so silly.

There have been so many funny moments, especially with Chris Perfetti. He’s a really talented physical comedian and always makes me laugh. I remember one time he unexpectedly jumped right into a trash can! We were all trying so hard not to burst out laughing.

Looking back at the first season, the now-famous “Sweet baby Jesus” line wasn’t originally in the script. The actress delivered such a fantastic performance that everyone tried to stifle their laughter, hoping to preserve the moment. The show allows for some improvisation, and if an improvised line is funnier than what was written, they’ll keep it. Over time, we’ve become a close-knit team and can often predict each other’s comedic timing.

There were a few scenes that didn’t make the final cut, and those were particularly memorable. When I work with Chris, I often have to step away because I’ll either start laughing uncontrollably or say something I’m not supposed to – something that isn’t in the script.

You recently appeared in Undercard alongside Wanda Sykes, a very different project than Abbott Elementary. Could you share your experience working with her and transitioning into film?

Honestly, filming in Puerto Rico was amazing – it felt like a paid vacation! I signed on to the project specifically because it was a serious departure from what people usually associate with Wanda. It wasn’t a comedy, and that’s what really drew me in. It was a chance to do something completely different.

Wanda is incredibly kind and a truly gifted actress. Seeing her performance is surprising – it reveals a completely different side of her talent. I was immediately captivated by the script and couldn’t stop reading it. When they approached me with the project, I enthusiastically agreed and told them I was willing to do whatever it took.

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2026-04-08 18:25