Sheryl Lee Ralph Wanted to Play Ava on ‘Abbott Elementary,’ But Quinta Brunson Needed a ‘Queen’ for Barbara
usmagazine.comSweet baby Jesus! Sheryl Lee Ralph has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary — but that wasn’t always the role she wanted to play. “When I first read the script, I wanted to play [the principal], Ava,” Ralph, 66, exclusively revealed to Us Weekly at the 2023 PaleyFest red carpet on Saturday, April 1. “And [series creator] Quinta [Brunson] was just, like, ‘Absolutely not!
We need a queen for Barbara and that is you.’ So I was like, ‘Well, alrighty then. Thank you.’” Ralph eventually realized that Barbara was a perfect fit — while Ava Coleman belonged to Janelle James — and the Connecticut native went on to win her first Primetime Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category in September 2022.
Four months later, she took home the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Now, the Moesha alum — who has spent more than 40 years working in Hollywood — is shining in the role, and gushed to Us about everything that makes her character such an essential part of the Abbott Elementary family.
In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies “I think it’s really the fact that Barbara is committed to human beings.
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