Tyler James Williams SaysAbbott ElementaryRole Is 'Most Important' Thing He's Done in His Career (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyler James Williams.Photo:Ramona Rosales

Ramona Rosales

“I handle him [Gregory] with immense amounts of care. Immense. I always think about his emotional spectrum first,” Williams, 31, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I think that’s part of it, is that I want to make sure that his strength is living in tandem with his emotionality, that it’s not devoid of such.”

Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie in ‘Abbot Elementary’.Pamela Littky/ABC/Getty

Pamela Littky/ABC/Getty

The representation he brings to screens as Gregory is something he takes very seriously.

Williams is now a three-time Emmy nominee, but learning he will be honored again for his work onAbbott Elementary(he’s nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series at the 2024 ceremony)is always a surreal experience for the star.

Abbott Elementaryreceived nine Emmy nominations this year. In addition to Williams, Brunson earned a nod for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, while Sheryl Lee Ralph was also nominated for outstanding s­upporting actress in a comedy series. Likewise,Janelle Jameswas nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

For more on Tyler James Williams, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.

With the cast now going into table reads for the show’s upcoming fourth season, Williams views his costars as family. And like many families, they keep close to one another via group chat.

“Every set is like a family, so we talk about set drama, our internal family drama of who’s doing this with this and who’s upset,” he jokes. “But Chris Perfetti is the one to send in something that’s completely out of the left field and really funny. Sheryl and Lisa [Ann Walter] are giving us constant updates on everything that they see.”

Tyler James Williams.Ramona Rosales

“Janelle is fairly quiet. Every now and then, she’ll chime in,” Williams adds. “She’s one of those group chat people who’s in there, she’s just watching. She’s not really saying much, she’s just watching the chain.”

To pass the time on set, Williams says they occasionally play games together. “A few times we tried to play Hangman,” he says. “I think that’s actually where one of the jokes for [an episode of]Abbottcame from. Janine is playing Hangman and she forgets what the word was. I know Quinta did that once.”

He continues, “We were playing Hangman and somebody came and asked her something and then halfway through she forgot what it was.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for who’s most competitive during game sessions?“Lisa’s going to get it,” he shares. “Doesn’t matter how simple the game is, she’s going to get into it.”

Seasons 1 to 3 ofAbbott Elementaryare available to stream on Hulu. Season 4 premieres on Oct. 9 on ABC.

source: people.com