Bill Hader will guest star on Abbott Elementary this season!
The actor announced the news on Monday during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Hader shared, "This is cool. I can say this now. I'm going to do a guest spot on Abbott Elementary this year."
"I'm excited," he added. As the audience erupted in applause, Kimmel jokingly noted that Brunson rarely lets non-Philadelphians guest star on her show. The SNL alum responded, "I had to act like I was from Philly."
Hader was tight-lipped about details of his character, but his guest appearance will mark a reunion with Brunson. The two starred in the upcoming animated film The Cat in the Hat. Hader plays the Cat, while Brunson voices a new character named Sherri. The film will hit theaters on November 6.
We're certainly hoping he'll share some scenes with Brunson's character, Janine Teagues, as it'll be fun to see the pair interact together on-screen.
Hader will join a growing list of celebrity guest stars on Abbott Elementary this season.
Episode 3, titled "Tryouts," featured guest appearances from former iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove and comedian Ali Wong. Cosgrove played a new substitute teacher who lives a double life as a nun, while Wong played a special education specialist visiting Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) class. Jaboukie Young-White also returned for an appearance in the show's Halloween episode, titled "Halloween Party." The actor and comedian plays Jacob's (Chris Perfetti) boyfriend.
Brunson shared her excitement for season 6 in an October 2026 AP News interview. "I was really, really excited about this season. Not just the guest stars, but, you know, what we're doing. The writing," Brunson shared. "So seeing people appreciate Miranda as much as I did...I mean, I was in scenes with her, kind of losing it."
"It's different when you grew up watching someone, and then you get to work with them, and you wonder if it's magic or allure from somewhere else. But she's really fantastic," Brunson continued.
It's unclear what Hader's role will look like, given Abbott Elementary's history with celebrity guest stars. The show has had major stars like Bradley Cooper and Jalen Hurts play themselves in small, impactful guest spots. Others, like Cosgrove and Wong, stepped into full character roles. But it's not unreasonable to expect Hader to fall into the latter category given his sketch comedy expertise.
Hader starred on SNL from 2005 to 2013, originating popular characters like New York City club correspondent Stefon and fast-talking Californian Devin. After SNL, the comedian starred in IT: Chapter Two and the Emmy-nominated series Barry.
Abbott Elementary airs every Wednesday at 9/8c on ABC.
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