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Sheryl Lee Ralph has obtained due credit for her portrayal of Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary. However, she revealed that it was not the role she wanted to play.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Wanted To Play A Different Character On ‘Abbott Elementary’
During an interview with Us Weekly on the 2023 PaleyFest red carpet on Saturday, the actress revealed that after she read the script, she wanted a different character. She wanted to play the principal, Ava, but the series creator (Quinta Brunson) wanted a queen for Barbara and felt she would do best in that act.
Meanwhile, Ralph later realized that Barbara was a perfect character fit for her, while Ava Coleman belonged to Janelle James. In September 2022, the To Sleep With Anger actress won the first Primetime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in the comedy series category.
Four months later, she also won the Critics Choice Award for best supporting actress in a comedy series. Having spent more than 40 years working in Hollywood, the Moesha alum is shining in the role. Sheryl Lee Ralph gushed to Us about everything that makes her character an important part of the Abbott Elementary family.
Lee Ralph Explains Why She Loves Her Role
The American actress who played the role of Barbara in ABC’s Abbott Elementary told the publication what she loves about the character. “I think it is the fact that Barbara is committed to human beings. She loves her job and the kids assigned in her care”. The 66-year-old described her role.
Jokingly she said that the elementary school teacher is the kind of person that would agree to disagree, but at the end of the argument, you have no choice but to agree with her.
The actress was quick to point out that these values are the things she loves about Barbara because she is a wonderful being. Also, she added that Barbara is the most seasoned and longest-working teacher at Abbott. Not only that, she is respected by other teachers because she was an inspiration to them.
Ralph, for her part, interpreted the role of Barbara as someone who commands respect. She puts the education of the students before anything else. Such is difficult to achieve, but she always looks out for the young ones.