Bill Hader Joins 'Abbott Elementary' for Guest Role This Season

Bill Hader will guest star on Quinta Brunson's "Abbott Elementary" later this season. The Emmy-winning actor and creator of "Barry" announced the news himself on Monday night's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

The pairing extends a collaboration already under way. Hader and Brunson voice the lead roles in the animated film "The Cat in the Hat," which opens in theaters on Nov. 6. The live-action guest spot on Brunson's ABC sitcom marks their first on-screen collaboration in that format.

What do we know about the role?

Almost nothing. Details remain under wraps, including which character Hader will play and when his episode will air. The announcement itself was the news: no premiere date, no character description, no word on how many episodes he will appear in.

Hader's most recent screen appearance placed him opposite Larry David. He played Abraham Lincoln in this year's "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness." He also appeared in a 2021 episode of David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Why the casting carries weight

Hader built his reputation on "Barry," the HBO dark comedy he created, directed, wrote, executive produced and starred in. The series ran from 2019 to 2023 and earned Hader two Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. Before that, he co-created, wrote and executive produced the documentary parody series "Documentary Now!" and spent eight seasons on "Saturday Night Live," from 2005 to 2013.

His film work spans comedy and horror:

• "The Skeleton Twins"
• "Trainwreck"
• "It Chapter Two"

His animation credits run longer still. Hader voiced roles in the "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" films, the "Angry Birds Movie" franchise, "Inside Out," "Finding Dory" and "Toy Story 4." "The Cat in the Hat" is his next release, with Hader in the title role.

Who joins Hader in 'The Cat in the Hat'?

The film's cast pairs Hader with Brunson at its center and surrounds them with familiar names from television and film:

• Bowen Yang ("Saturday Night Live")
• Xochitl Gomez ("Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness")
• Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad")
• America Ferrera ("Superstore")
• Matt Berry ("What We Do in the Shadows")
• Paula Pell ("Girls5eva")

Hader appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to promote the film. The "Abbott Elementary" reveal arrived as an unscripted bonus for the studio audience and, within hours, for the show's online following.

What does this change for viewers?

For "Abbott Elementary" fans, it adds a proven comedic performer to a series that has built its identity on guest appearances woven into its Philadelphia school setting. The show airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu, which means Hader's episode will reach both broadcast and streaming audiences once it is scheduled.

The timing also works in both directions. "The Cat in the Hat" arrives Nov. 6, and Hader's sitcom appearance will follow at an unspecified date later this season, keeping both projects in circulation as audiences wait for the character details ABC has so far declined to release.