The new school year at Abbott Elementary is already facing its first major test. Following a premiere that saw the school building literally falling apart, the teachers are back for the second episode of Season 5, titled “Cheating,” which promises chaos from Janine’s ex-boyfriend and a new face joining the staff.
The episode will air on ABC on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET/PT. For viewers who stream, new episodes become available on Hulu the next day, Thursday, October 9.
What to Expect in Episode 2
The official description for “Cheating” sets up a busy day at Abbott Elementary. Melissa Schemmenti, now teaching sixth-grade math, will be trying to outsmart her students. Meanwhile, a familiar face returns to cause trouble: Tariq Temple, Janine’s ex-boyfriend, shows up and creates chaos in her classroom.
The episode will also introduce a new guidance counselor to the school, adding a fresh dynamic to the faculty. This continues the theme of new beginnings established in the season premiere, which introduced a new fourth-grade teacher, Dominic Clark.
New Faces and New Dynamics
The fifth season of Abbott Elementary is bringing several changes to the show’s core group. The premiere episode, “Team Building,” saw the staff returning for a Development Day that was disrupted by a gas leak and a collapsing ceiling, highlighting the ongoing infrastructure problems at the underfunded school.
A key storyline involved Janine Teagues grappling with her identity at the school after Barbara Howard happily took new teacher Dominic under her wing. Janine, who has always looked to Barbara as a mentor, had to find a new role for herself, eventually deciding to become a mentor to the young teacher.
Other changes included Melissa Schemmenti moving up to teach sixth grade and Ava Coleman being blissfully in love with her boyfriend, O’Shon. The episode ended with a foreboding warning for Ava about the school’s many needed repairs, a problem that will likely continue throughout the season.
How to Watch New Episodes
Abbott Elementary airs new episodes weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM ET/PT on ABC. For cord-cutters, episodes are available for streaming on Hulu the following day (Thursdays). Subscribers to the Disney Bundle can also access Hulu through the Disney+ platform.
The show has moved to its new time slot, airing after “Shifting Gears” and before “The Golden Bachelor” on ABC’s Wednesday night lineup. Season 5 is planned for a total of 22 episodes, with the release schedule confirmed for the first several weeks.
“Melissa tries to outsmart her students; Tariq causes chaos in Janine’s class; a new guidance counselor joins the school.”
The upcoming episodes will include more adventures outside the school, including a trip to a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game for Teacher Appreciation Night. The season will also feature holiday episodes for Halloween and Christmas, with the Christmas episode described by producers as a “game changer” for the series.
Also Read: Abbott Elementary Season 5: Everything You Need to Know About Release Date, Cast, and How to Watch
