Quinta Brunson's Flexible Vision
From the very beginning, creator and star Quinta Brunson had a specific vision for the show's tone: grounded, authentic, and full of heart. While she had a few dream actors in mind, she and casting director Wendy O'Brien were largely flexible, looking
for performers who could nail the mockumentary-style comedy without winking at the camera. According to O'Brien, Brunson's initial shortlist included Sheryl Lee Ralph for the veteran kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard and Tyler James Williams for the reserved substitute Gregory Eddie. For the rest of the faculty lounge, however, the search was on to find the perfect pieces for a puzzle that was still taking shape.
The Search for an Unforgettable Principal
The role of Ava Coleman, the tone-deaf and hilariously self-serving principal, was perhaps the biggest casting challenge. Brunson admitted she had a very specific, hard-to-define character in mind and worried they wouldn't find the right person. Then Janelle James, a stand-up comedian with few recurring acting roles to her name at the time, sent in her audition tape. Casting director Wendy O'Brien described the moment as 'magical,' comparing it to seeing Steve Carell audition for 'The Office.' James was so effortlessly funny and so perfectly embodied the character that Brunson told the network it would be more work to train someone else to get to her level than to just hire her. The role and the actor became one, with James's unique comedic voice helping to expand the character even further.
The Role Quinta Almost Didn't Play
While she created the entire series, Quinta Brunson initially had to be convinced to star as the eternally optimistic Janine Teagues. Executive producer Justin Halpern revealed that he had to push for her to take the leading role. Brunson was so focused on the ensemble and the world of the show that she even advocated for episodes that didn't heavily feature her character, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the series. Her reluctance speaks volumes about her desire to create a true ensemble show where no single character overshadowed the others, a goal the casting director said was crucial from the start. Ultimately, her stepping into the role of Janine provided the show with its undeniable heart and central anchor.
Assembling the Rest of the Faculty
While Brunson had her eye on Tyler James Williams and Sheryl Lee Ralph from the start, other key roles like the tough-as-nails Melissa Schemmenti and the lovably awkward Jacob Hill required a wider search. For Melissa, Lisa Ann Walter brought a grounded Philly-area toughness that felt instantly real. Chris Perfetti, a theater actor, captured Jacob's cringey-yet-sincere personality, a perfect foil for the more seasoned teachers. And the hilarious William Stanford Davis, who plays the seen-it-all janitor Mr. Johnson, landed the role of a lifetime at 72, bringing decades of character-acting experience to what has become a fan-favorite part. Each actor was chosen not to stand out, but to blend in, creating the believable, lived-in feel of a real faculty lounge.
