Fans of the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary were excited to see Orlando Jones playing Gregory’s father on the show last week. Many fans had long said that the comedian would be a perfect choice to play the dad of Tyler James Williams’ character.
Abbott Elementary fans hoped for the television show’s creator, Quinta Brunson, to cast Jones as Gregory’s dad because he resembled Williams. Brunson reportedly agreed and cast Jones to play the role, surprising and exciting the show’s fans in doing so. Many took to social media to cosign the casting choice.
One fan on Twitter said they almost threw the remote. Others commented on the perfect casting of Jones as Gregory’s father on the sitcom.
“I almost threw my remote when I saw that Orlando Jones was cast as Gregory’s dad on Abbott Elementary. Amazing.”
https://twitter.com/Renattaism/status/1493954756720697350?s=20&t=1Y0i7gAuQivXRT9X9GlJUg
“Abbott Elementary casting Orlando Jones as Gregory’s dad is amazing casting,” wrote another fan.
Abbott Elementary casting Orlando Jones as Gregory’s dad is amazing casting pic.twitter.com/a7YNgFbTRP
— Diogo Costa & Darius Garland Superfan (@ManLikePabs) February 16, 2022
“Not Orlando Jones playing chris’s dad on abbott elemetary,” wrote another, referring to Williams’ role as a young Chris Rock on Everybody Hates Chris.
Not orlando jones playing chris's dad on abbott elementary
— ava (@mysthashira) February 18, 2022
Abbott Elementaty. Someone finally did it. After years of me saying Tyler James Williams could play Orlando Jones’s son… Abbott elementary did it. I feel seen.
— Greg Blackmon (@BourbonBlackmon) February 17, 2022
“The scream I just scrumpt when I saw Orlando Jones on Abbott Elementary?? , joke one happy fan.”
https://twitter.com/sourvixen/status/1494131227200311299?s=20&t=1Y0i7gAuQivXRT9X9GlJUg
“This last episode of Abbott elementary was epic,” wrote another fan. “First off, finally having Orlando Jones play Tyler James William’s dad is epic all by itself. This should’ve been happened!”
This last episode of Abbott elementary was epic. First off, finally having Orlando Jones play Tyler James William's dad is epic all by itself. This should've been happened!
— Stephon Harvey. (@saxprophet) February 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/TheBlackNerd/status/1494314448240230403?s=20&t=1Y0i7gAuQivXRT9X9GlJUg
As a response, Jones made it known that he was not related to Williams, who plays a substitute teacher, by making his Twitter bio “Not the little boy from Everybody Hates Chris. https://t.co/0DpgujMJZr
— Platinum Voice PR & Consulting LLC (@PLATINUMVOICEPR) February 17, 2022
Another fan noted the resemblance between the two actors.
“Orlando Jones playing Gregory’s father on Abbott Elementary was a great casting choice because I’ve always thought Tyler looks like him,” wrote one fan.
Orlando Jones playing Gregory’s father on Abbott Elementary was a great casting choice because I’ve always thought Tyler looks like him
— Vee is… very very, extraordinary
(@_freshhPrincess) February 17, 2022
Jones has co-starred with Williams before. Jones played a substitute teacher on Everybody Hates Chris named Dr. Clint Huckstable back in 2008.
Abbott Elementary is a comedy about a group of teachers working in the public school system in Philadelphia.
The series airs Tuesdays on ABC and is also available on Hulu.
