Tyler James Williams Would 'Love' to See Solange Knowles Guest Star onAbbott Elementary: 'I Feel Like We Look Alike' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyler James Williams; Solange Knowles.Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Sonia Moskowitz/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Sonia Moskowitz/Getty

IfTyler James Williamscould pick anyone to guest star onAbbott Elementary, he knows exactly who it would be.

“I would love to seeSolange [Knowles] as a cousin. I feel like we look alike,” Williams tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It’s like us and then my dad is Orlando [Jones]. Yeah, I think Solange would be great. Just add a family member.”

Williams, 31, is now a three-time Emmy nominee for his role as the beloved first-grade teacher Gregory Eddie on the ABC hit.The actor doesn’t take his portrayal lightly, explaining that his goal is to show Black male educators — and Black men, in general — in a “certain light.”

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

Pamela Littky/ABC/Getty

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Abbott Elementaryearned nineEmmy nominationsthis year, including outstanding comedy series. In addition to Williams, Brunson earned nods for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series and outstanding writing in a comedy series.Sheryl Lee RalphandJanelle Jameswere both nominated for outstanding s­upporting actress in a comedy series.

Reflecting on the show’s previous Emmy wins, Williams shares that a particular highlight remains when Ralphpicked up a statuein 2022 for best supporting actress in a comedy series, becoming just the second Black woman to score an Emmy in the category afterJackée Harry’s win for227in 1987.

“Everybody at the table was just crying, right? That’s my favorite Emmys,” he says, adding that Brunson’s wins that same year for outstanding writing in a comedy series and outstanding lead actress in a comedy series were also extremely memorable.

Tyler James Williams.Ramona Rosales

Ramona Rosales

“When somebody wins, they get whisked off to the back,” he says. “We finally get to see each other at the party, and that’s when wereallyget a chance to celebrate.”

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The cast recently reunited atSan Diego Comic-Con 2024on July 27 andrevealeda crossover episode is in the works for season 4.

“I’m not gonna tell you with who, or with what, or where, or when, but it’s really exciting and I think it’ll change television as we know it,” Brunson, 34, teased.

While Williams also can’t reveal anything about the highly anticipated mash-up episode, he did share what he hopes to see between his character Gregory and Brunson’s character Janine after a lot of will-they, won’t-they tension in season 3.

“I would love to see them in love,” he says. “I think they deserve that at this point. I would love to see them just in it. Now we have to have the conflicts… but it would be nice to see them just head over heels for each other.”

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

source: people.com