'Abbott Elementary' Updates Cast List, Meet The New Stars!

ABC's hit sitcom "Abbott Elementary" is adding three new stars to its A-list lineup, and these characters look ready to battle the Philadelphia public school system.

After two seasons and several awards, the comedy series returns for its third installment with the actress Kimia Behpoornia and actors Josh Segarra and Benjamin Norris. Fans can expect to see the trio frequently as they will play recurring roles in the new season.

The ABC series's latest installment is scheduled to make a splash next month, with two episodes premiering on February 7. Season 3 of "Abbott Elementary" will feature 14 episodes starting from the mid-school year, with the new characters joining the spotlight.

Segarra has been cast as Manny, Behpoornia will portray Emily, while Norris shall show off his skills as Simon. The trio's characters are the good-natured Philadelphia school district representatives whose goal is to bring fresh perspectives to their jobs as school ambassadors.

Embodying these roles will be easy for these entertainers, given their incredible history. Segarra currently stars in the Apple TV+ comedy, "The Big Door Prize," and previously made waves in 2023 for starring in the hit "Scream 6" with Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega, and Melissa Barrera.

Last summer, Segarra starred as "Lance" in the third season of the HBO Max comedy series "The Other Two" and as "Brooks Rizzo" in the second season of the Starz wrestling drama series "Heels." In 2022, he joined the Marvel universe as a part of the Disney+ series "She-Hulk."

Meanwhile, Behpoornia boasts achievements as an actress, writer, and improviser who was a series regular on NBC's "Abby's." she has starred as a recurring character or guest on Max's "Hacks," Hulu's "Reboot" and Netflix's "Atypical," among other roles.

Behpoornia has also featured in "The Unicorn Store," directed by Brie Larson, and "Pop Rox," which was a finalist for best short and actor at the 2017 NBC Diversity Shorts Program.

Lastly, Norris has been causing a stir with his most recent performance in the Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher Netflix series "Never Have I Ever." He also appeared in the 2023 revival of "iCarly" and starred in NBC's "Superstore." He is repped by UTA and Authentic per Deadline.

ABC's beloved "Abbott Elementary" series was created, executive produced, and co-written by its lead female actress, Quinta Brunson. She stars on the show with other A-list entertainers like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams, and Janelle James, amongst others.

Since the series's debut in 2021, it has amassed over seven million viewers and received seven Emmy nominations in its first season. Although she could not have predicted this significant success, Brunson claimed she knew the show would be a hit with fans.

During a 2022 interview, the 34-year-old noted she was "very prepared" when it came to "Abbott Elementary" compared to her anxiety with a different project. Recalling her past emotions, she said:

"I did a pilot once where I was like, 'Oh my God. If this goes, I don't know what I'm going to do. I am going to hate my life. I don't want to move to Vancouver.' This show isn't that special. It would've been my nightmare if that pilot had gone."

"Whereas with Abbott, it was like, 'If this doesn't go, I don't know what I have to give to the world because this is the best I can do.' I could see us winning awards. I could see us becoming really popular," Brunson claimed.

When asked to explain how she intended to handle the pressure of "highlighting the institutional problems of the American education system" as a black woman in Hollywood, the 34-year-old chimed:

"On one hand, I'm super happy to represent very positive things to people. It makes me feel humbled and grateful. I try not to live in it too much because I think it's a trap. I think perfection is a trap, and I think branding's a trap."

Brunson further explained she was aware that people's perspectives could not be controlled and stressed that she would never try to control them. "I really just want to make a good TV show," she declared.