Abbott Elementary Season 6 has built a long guest list so far. ABC’s Philadelphia school comedy, created by and starring Quinta Brunson, has announced appearances from Ali Wong, Miranda Cosgrove and Edi Patterson, a trailer clip shows Katy Mixon in a classroom dispute, and Bill Hader said on late-night television this week that he has a guest spot too. Here is what has been reported, and what no one has said yet.
Where Season 6 stands
The season returned on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu, according to TVLine and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The trailer set up several changes at the school. Gregory, played by Tyler James Williams, is now assistant principal, and Melissa, played by Lisa Ann Walter, has become the teachers’ union representative. TVLine also notes that Janine’s ex, Tariq, is returning, and that a district decision to close several schools has left Abbott with extra students.
Ali Wong, Miranda Cosgrove and Edi Patterson
Deadline reported in mid-October that Wong, Cosgrove and Patterson will guest-star this season. The Inquirer and PhillyVoice both picked up the report, and PhillyVoice says all three confirmed their appearances on Instagram Stories. Their characters and episodes have not been announced.
Related Reading
- Ali Wong is a stand-up comedian and writer whose Netflix specials include Cobra Baby and Single Lady. She starred in and executive produced Beef opposite Steven Yeun and won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress for its first season. PhillyVoice describes the role as a return to network television.
- Miranda Cosgrove is known for Drake & Josh and iCarly. She produced the 2021 iCarly revival for Paramount+ and starred in Netflix’s The Wrong Paris, the Inquirer notes.
- Edi Patterson spent six years on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones as Judy Gemstone.
Katy Mixon
TVLine reported on September 30, citing a source, that Katy Mixon will guest-star in Season 6. Her character was not named, but the season trailer shows her telling Melissa, “That is my chair,†before the two clash over a classroom. Mixon, now credited as Katy Mixon Greer, played Katie Otto on ABC’s American Housewife for five seasons and has also appeared in Eastbound & Down and Mike & Molly. A guest-casting source is not an on-the-record announcement, so treat the details as reported rather than final.
Bill Hader
The newest name comes from the actor himself. TVLine reports that Hader, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 2 to promote the animated film The Cat in the Hat, said he does a guest spot on Abbott Elementary this year. According to TVLine, Kimmel seemed surprised because Brunson typically casts Philadelphia actors for guest roles, and Hader joked that he had to pretend to be from Philly. Hader did not say whom he plays or which episode he is in. TVLine is the only outlet reviewed that carries the report, and no comment from ABC or the show’s producers appeared in it.
Sports guests from earlier in the season
The Inquirer also recalls earlier special appearances by Philadelphia 76ers players Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown, which fits the show’s habit of drawing on local talent.
What is still unknown
- Which characters Wong, Cosgrove, Patterson, Mixon and Hader play.
- Which episodes they appear in, and whether any of them appear together.
- Whether the show will reveal more guests later in the season. None had been announced in the coverage reviewed.
- Whether Gregory will propose to Janine this season. The producers declined to say, TVLine reports.
The regular cast, as listed by TVLine, is Brunson, Williams, Janelle James, Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph and William Stanford. New episodes air Wednesdays on ABC, so the guests’ episodes should become clear as the schedule updates.
