Quinta Brunson has made history as the first Black woman to earn three nominations across comedy platforms in the same year.
“Abbott Elementary” became ABC’s highest ranking new comedy since it first aired in December 2021, and and now it’s in the running to win seven Emmy Awards. Out of the seven, Brunson received three nominations: for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series.
Brunson created the show based on her passion for school and the teachers that inspired her according to CNBC. The show got its name from one of Bronson’s own teachers, Ms. Joyce Abbott, who calls Brunson a savvy student.
“The year Quinta was in my class, we had news coverage three or four different times. Quinta would get up and speak, and one of the newspapers even noted, ‘We entered into the classroom and we were met by the articulate Quinta Brunson,’” Ms. Abbott told Essence.
“Abbott Elementary” has a lot to celebrate aside from their high ratings and Brunson making history — other cast mates are up for a Emmy Awards as well.
Brunson’s co-stars Janelle James (Principal Ava Coleman) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard) were both nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Tyler James Williams (Gregory Eddie) was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. These are the first Emmy nominations for each.
“Abbott Elementary” is a half-hour comedy about a group of teachers and their principle, who — despite their flaws — still find a way to succeed despite all the ways the system makes things more difficult.
“Generations getting together to watch the show means a lot to me. That’s exactly what I intended. I wanted families to watch the sitcom the way I did with my family growing up,” Brunson said to NBC’s TODAY show.
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