Quinta Brunson shared an optimistic outlook for the future of her career and admitted that she is “looking forward” to when the Abbott Elementary chapter is closed. The 35-year-old opened up about her Hollywood dreams in a conversation with Bustle as its latest cover star.
“We are so fortunate and blessed to be on a network TV show for five seasons, and for people to still be fans,” detailed the Philadelphia native. “That being said, I have cast members who would love to pursue other projects, and our show is very time-consuming. We shoot about seven months out of the year. That can stop people from being able to do a lot of other things.”
“Right now, I’m receiving scripts and waiting for that moment that feels like, ‘Oh man, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for,’” she continued. “Abbott has been so successful, and I want to use that success to get other people’s projects off the ground.”
ABC’s Abbott Elementary stars Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard, and Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti.
Disney/Pamela Littky
“I’m always interested in playing against type. I think that’s any actor’s dream,” described the Emmy winner. “Right now, my type is ‘Janine’ and ‘teacher.’ I’m looking forward to moving away from that a little bit.”
Abbott Elementary debuted in 2021 and stars Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and William Stanford Davis. With four seasons, the mockumentary series has earned critical acclaim, including multiple Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and more.
Quinta Brunson attends the 2025 Newport Beach TV Fest at Lido Theater on June 08, 2025 in Newport Beach, California.
JC Olivera/Getty Images
Elsewhere in the conversation with Bustle, Brunson opened up about personal moments becoming public conversations. Earlier this year, she filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik after three years of marriage.
“I remember seeing people be like, ‘She announced her divorce,’” Brunson explained. “I didn’t announce anything. I think people have this idea that people in the public eye want the public to know their every move. None of us do. I promise you. No one wants [everyone] to know when you buy a house, when you move, when a major change happens in your personal life. It’s just that that’s public record information.”
“I hated that,” she exclaimed after writer Katie Heaney mentioned seeing a story about Brunson purchasing a home. “I hate all of it.”
Check out Bustle‘s cover with Quinta Brunson below.
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