Abbott Elementary's Chris Perfetti connected Introducing Character's Sexuality

Abbott Elementary is subverting expectations. 

When the Emmy-winning ABC sitcom, which premiered its 2nd play Sept. 21, first brought successful Jacob's (Chris Perfetti) fellow Zach (Larry Owens) successful play one, Zach seamlessly integrated himself into a plotline astir "desking," the caller inclination astatine school. And for Perfetti, it was the cleanable mode to present his character's sexuality.

"The existent communicative determination is that we didn't marque a large communicative retired of it," Perfetti explained. "I deliberation it's a generational thing."

According to Perfetti, creator Quinta Brunson just wanted to marque Jacob's sexuality a constituent of his character—not his full personality. Even 10 years ago, helium said, the plotline would person been written differently, with costar Janelle James quipping that they would person made it a "special episode."

"We don't request that," helium said. "It's conscionable existent life."

Brunson herself has repeated those sentiments, revealing that originally, the amusement had different queer character, but the web told her that they needed to trim down the cast. But the creator "didn't privation to not person a queer character" connected her show, truthful they made Jacob the series' sole cheery lead, introducing his sexuality casually.