ABC’s hit comedy Abbott Elementary has delivered its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt storytelling, but the March 19th episode, Audit, left fans in absolute shock. The beloved yet controversial Principal Ava Coleman, played by Janelle James, was officially fired from her role at Abbott after an audit exposed her accepting bribes from a local golf course in exchange for school supplies.

Fans immediately took to social media, expressing disbelief and heartbreak over the sudden shake-up. But in an exclusive interview with Variety, Janelle James reassured viewers that this isn’t the end for Ava.

Janelle James on Learning About Ava’s Firing

The decision to remove Ava from her position didn’t come as a surprise to James, at least not in the way it did to fans. According to the actress, show creator Quinta Brunson gave her a personal heads-up a week before the table read.

“Quinta told me because she wouldn’t do me like that,” James revealed. “She told me, ‘Just want you to know, you’re going to get fired, but you’ll be back,’ and I was like, ‘OK, cool. A twist. I love a twist.’ I trust Quinta. I trust the writers. I knew it would be for a reason and that it would lead to exciting developments.”

While some actors only learn about their characters’ fates during table reads, sometimes meaning they’re actually being written off for good, James had the luxury of a personal conversation before the big reveal. But what does this mean for Ava’s future at Abbott?

Will Ava Coleman Return? Here’s What We Know

The big question on everyone’s mind is whether Janelle James is leaving Abbott Elementary for good. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief because, according to James and the show’s producers, Ava isn’t disappearing entirely.

“One of our producers already said that I’ll be back, and I hate that [he didn’t leave it a surprise], but I will be around in some capacity,” James teased. “But will I be back at the school? Who knows?”

Executive producers Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern also hinted that Ava’s storyline is far from over.

“The nice thing about our show is that we have this documentary crew,” Schumacker explained. “It feels natural, even if a character does peel away from the show for a bit, to follow them.”

This statement suggests that while Ava may not be sitting in the principal’s chair, she’s still very much part of the Abbott universe.

What’s Next for Abbott Elementary?

With Ava gone, the school needs a new leader, and fans are already speculating about who could take her place. One of the biggest theories floating around is that Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) will finally step into the principal role, something that was teased back in Season 1.

Meanwhile, Ava’s next move remains a mystery. Will she fight to get her job back? Embark on a new career path? Or, in true Ava fashion, crash school events just to stir up trouble?

James is keeping tight-lipped, but she did hint that Ava won’t be gone for long.

“In the next episode, you’ll see her reaction to being fired and let’s just say, she’s onto the next.”

Fans React to the Shocking Plot Twist

As soon as the episode aired, social media erupted with reactions. Some fans were devastated, calling Ava “the heart of the show”, while others applauded the writers for shaking things up.

Twitter was flooded with comments like:

• “Ava getting fired is the most devastating thing to ever happen on TV. I need a moment.”
• “Ava leaving means the office is about to get REAL quiet. I need her back IMMEDIATELY.”
• “I swear if Gregory becomes principal, I’ll scream. Ava had that job on LOCK.”

While some viewers are still mourning the loss of Ava’s office antics, others are excited to see what this twist brings to the story.

Is Abbott Even Abbott Without Ava?

Ava Coleman’s firing marks one of the biggest shake-ups in Abbott Elementary history, but the showrunners have assured fans that this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

With James confirming that she will return in some form and the producers hinting at new opportunities for her character, one thing is certain. Ava Coleman may be down, but she’s not out.

Fans will have to keep tuning in to see how this all unfolds. Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays on ABC, and you can also catch it streaming on Hulu.