The creator of the hit series and ABC are both named in a lawsuit from aspiring writer and performer Christine Davis, who claims that the show ripped off a TV script she wrote in 2018 titled 'This School Year'.
- Jul 18, 2022
AceShowbiz - Quinta Brunson is facing legal issues after her hit "Abbott Elementary" earned stunning seven Emmy nominations. The creator of the hit ABC series has been slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit over her breakout sitcom.
The 32-year-old writer and ABC are both named in a lawsuit from aspiring writer and performer Christine Davis, who claims that "Abbott Elementary" ripped off a TV script she wrote in 2018 titled "This School Year".
Per the lawsuit, Christine's script, which is set in New York City, also follows an underfunded public school with a young, idealistic teacher pushing for reform. Further, Christine claims that "Abbott Elementary" copied the "look and feel of the inner-city school, the mockumentary style, unique plot synopsis, set design, and unique characters" from her script. The lawsuit also says that many of the characters are "nearly identical," and that the plotlines in the first few episodes are similar as well.
Christine further claims that both shows have the same premise and that her show was registered with the copyright office in early 2020, a year before "Abbott Elementary" made its 2021 debut. Christine is looking for damages, demanding that "[Quinta] and ABC turn over all profits they made from the show," as well as a jury trial.
Christine handed her script to Blue Parks Productions' Shavon Sullivan Wright and Cherisse Parks in summer 2020 and they met to discuss "This School Year". The producers showed Christine's script to Hulu. A few months later, around September 2020, "Abbott Elementary" started filming. However, per AV Club, neither producer is connected to Quinta's show.
On Tuesday, July 12, it was announced that "Abbott Elementary" earned seven Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Quinta), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Janelle James), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Sheryl Lee Ralph), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Tyler James Williams).
Upon learning of the multiple nominations, Quinta turned to her Instagram account to express gratitude. "I'm still a bit speechless. Congrats to the entire Abbott Elementary cast and crew," she wrote alongside a poster of the hit series.
