‘Abbott Elementary’ Sets Crossover Episode with ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’

It’s official: the Gang is visiting Abbott!

Philly-set comedies Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are crossing over in a special episode of the ABC show’s fourth season. Deadline confirmed the news after star and co-creator of the FX comedy Rob McElhenney shared two photos on X (formerly Twitter).

The photos feature McElhenney and It’s Always Sunny co-stars Charlie Day (Charlie Kelly) and Danny DeVito (Frank Reynolds). They appear alongside Abbott Elementary star and creator Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues) and cast members William Stanford Davis (Mr. Johnson) and Tyler James Williams (Gregory Eddie).

Together, they stand in front of the Willard R. Abbott Elementary School on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Los Angeles. Brunson shared one of the photos on her Instagram with the caption, “Season 4 of Abbott Elementary gets real Sunny :).”

Speculation around Abbott Elementary Season 4’s crossover episode has swirled since the show’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

“We will be doing an interesting crossover this season. I’m not gonna tell you with who, or with what, or where, or when, but it’s really exciting, and I think it’ll change television as we know it,” Brunson said. 

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows a group of friends — Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Frank, and Dee — who run Paddy’s Pub in South Philadelphia. Alongside McElhenney, Day, and DeVito, the FX comedy stars co-creator Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson. 

It premiered in 2005, and its most recent season wrapped up with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 Episode 8, “Dennis Takes a Mental Health Day,” in July 2023.

Abbott Elementary follows the teachers and staff at a Philadelphia public school. The ABC series also stars Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard. 

As previously reported, the series returns with Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 1, “Back to School,” on Wednesday, October 9, at 9:30/8:30c.

Quinta Brunson executive produces the comedy alongside  Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker of Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, Randall Einhorn, and Brian Rubenstein. Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios, produce the show.

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Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays at 8:30/9:30c on ABC.

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