Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson Says “No” to “Wild” Requests for School Shooting Episode

Following the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas, which left 19 people and two teachers dead, Abbott ElementaryCreator and star Quinta Brunson revealed that she’s received requests from fans to produce “a school shooting episode” of her breakout ABC comedy. In a Twitter thread, Brunson made her position on the suggestion very clear: “the answer is ‘no.’” 

“Wild how many people have asked for a school shooting episode of the show I write,” she tweeted Wednesday. “People are that deeply removed from demanding more from the politicians they’ve elected and are instead demanding ‘entertainment.’ I can’t ask ‘are yall ok’ anymore because the answer is ‘no.’”

Brunson shared an Instagram DM from a fan that suggested Brunson write a school shooting episode. Abbott Elementary for its series finale “to highlight the numerous ones in our nation.” “Formulate an angle that would get our government to understand why laws need to pass. I think Abbot Elementary can affect change,” the DM read. Brunson kept the sender of the DM anonymous, but said that message was “one of many.” 

On Abbott Elementary,Brunson plays Janine Teagues, a cheerful but green second-grade teacher at a Philadelphia public school that is underfunded. She’s joined by the school’s other instructors, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti and Tyler James WilliamsAva, their somewhat narcissistic Principal, was played by breakout Janelle James,There are also dozens of elementary-school-aged children who play the role of their students. The freshman series was ABC’s number one new comedy in two years with adults 18–49, and has already been renewed for a second season. 

Brunson had a new suggestion for those who asked her to write an episode about school shootings. “Please use that energy to ask your elected official to get on Beto time and nothing less. I’m begging you,” she tweeted—referencing Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke,Texas governor confronted the person who interrupted a Wednesday news conference Greg AbbottHis inaction on gun legislation. “I don’t want to sound mean, but I want people to understand the flaw in asking for something like this,” Brunson continued. “We’re not okay. This country is rotting the brains of our children. [I’m] sad about it.”