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Sheryl Lee Ralph Says Abbott Elementary Could Run as Long as Grey's Anatomy

Made ahead of the show's season-six premiere, her comments highlight cast hopes for an extended run and the tension with creator Quinta Brunson's plans to pursue other work.

Overview

  • Abbott Elementary returns for season six on Wednesday, Oct. 7, airing on ABC at 8:30 p.m., with new episodes reported to be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph told People she would like to continue playing Barbara Howard for many more seasons and compared the sitcom's potential longevity to Grey's Anatomy's multi‑decade run.
  • Creator Quinta Brunson has publicly said she is looking forward to pursuing projects beyond the show and noted the series' long production schedule can limit cast members' ability to take other work.
  • Season six includes clear character shifts, including Gregory Eddie's promotion to assistant principal, a move actors say forces growth and sets new story directions.
  • Industry context: Grey's Anatomy — ABC's longest‑running scripted series — returns for Season 23 on Oct. 15, providing the concrete benchmark Ralph cited in discussing Abbott Elementary's long‑term possibilities.