[This story contains spoilers from episodes 18 and 19 of season four of Abbott Elementary.]

If youre caught up on the latest episodes of Abbott Elementary, you know principal Ava Coleman is out of a job. But the good news for fans of Quinta Brunsons workplace comedy is that Janelle James, the actress who portrays Ava, is not.

In last weeks episode of the ABC sitcom, Audit, members of the district paid Abbott Elementary a visit when they were tipped off, seemingly by Avas archnemesis Crystal (Tatyana Ali), that the school has been receiving a large amount of unsanctioned donations from the golf course they bribed earlier in the season. When Manny (Josh Segarra) and his colleagues uncover the truth, Ava, in an uncharacteristic moment of selflessness, takes full responsibility for the scheme and is immediately relieved of her duties. The episode sparked widespread fear across social media with viewers questioning whether the beloved character would return to Abbott not just the school, but the show. However, executive producer and co-showrunner Patrick Schumacker said in an interview afterward, The story is not over You will see Janelle in subsequent episodes. But it is kind of a longer play. Its not something thats going to resolve itself super quickly.

While Schumacker may have wanted to immediately ease fans fears, James was enjoying watching viewers squirm, even if for a little while.

That made me feel good that the producers felt like they had to tell people Im coming back because people were like, Im not gonna watch anymore, James tells The Hollywood Reporter in the conversation below. They had to run to the internet to say, no, no, no, watch the next episode, so that made me feel good but I wish he hadnt spoiled it.

Schumackers words rang true in this weeks episode, Music Class, which sees Ava return to the school but only to gather her last belongings before immediately diving into outside business ventures, as has been characteristic of her personality all along. Meanwhile, the teachers attempt to move forward without her, Gregory (Tyler James Williams) possibly getting his first taste of what being principal really looks like.

Below, James chats with THR about finding out her character was losing her job and why the outpouring of support for Ava was personally vindicating. She also hints at another possible culprit for Avas firing and shares her thoughts on Abbotts snubs at last years Emmys.

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When did you find out about this plot of Ava getting fired, and what was your initial reaction?

I think it was the week before [we filmed]. Quinta told me because she wouldnt do me like that (laughs). She told me, Just want you to know, youre going to get fired but youll be back, and I was like, OK, cool. A twist. I love a twist. I trust Quinta. I knew it wasnt just cause, so I was excited to see how it would be handled. I also like to see how people react.

The response has spanned from tear memes to people saying theyre ready to fight if Ava doesnt return.

I love it. I feel like Mother Teresa (laughs). I love the people who didnt like me first season and now theyre crying. Thats how I love it. Just like my men. Didnt like me at first and now youre crying.

Last weeks episode really displayed your characters growth from season to season with her taking sole blame for the golf course bribery scheme. Why do you think Ava did that?

I really liked that moment because thats definitely not a move that season one Ava would have done. I feel like she wouldve just blamed it on Morton [Jerry Minor] and got it over with. So what motivated her to do that, correct me if Im wrong, but I feel like theres a moment where Barbara [Sheryl Lee Ralph] talks about how her record is spotless and Janine [Brunson], Gregory and Jacob [Chris Perfetti] are new teachers, so for them to have a suspension, even though they would get to come back, its not a good thing. So I feel like thats one reason why she stepped up. Then, obviously, she said she was going to Cabo, so she didnt feel like she was going to get fired. She thought she was getting a little mini vacay so it was a twofold self-sacrifice.

Speaking of Barbara, theres such that touching moment at the end of that episode where she gives Ava her flowers. What did that scene signify to you and what was it like filming it?

I saw that scene almost as serving a dual purpose in that Ive been feeling like Ive been living in a TV show within a TV show in that yes, Ava comes in in this first season, shes inexperienced and then she rises to the occasion and now shes killing it, basically, as a principal to the point where Sheryl Lee Ralphs character, one of her famous detractors in the first season, has come around and said, hey, youre doing great, and I was wrong. I liken that to me, Janelle James, coming on this show, not having much acting experience, and the viewers being like, who is this person? I dont like this character, I dont like her acting, or any of the other disparaging remarks that I got in the first season, now coming around to eat crow and saying, how dare they and Im gonna take it to the streets. I loved it.

Patrick Schumacher said in an interview with The Wrap that Avas storys not over, but its not something thats going to resolve itself super quickly.

I hate he did that. Put that in the article (laughs).Let the people wait.

Do you know how things get resolved and when?

I do and Im not gonna tell you.

But you are coming back after this latest episode?

According to Patrick, who let the cat out of the bag, who panicked. But again, that made me feel good that the producers felt like they had to tell people Im coming back because people were like, Im not gonna watch anymore. They had to run to the internet to say, no, no, no, watch the next episode, so that made me feel good as well, but I wish he hadnt spoiled it. In the next episode [19], I love that [Ava]s not wallowing in it. Shes like, your loss and shes onto the next. Thats my favorite thing about Ava and sometimes she touches my real personality too closely. Thats exactly what I would do because like Barbara says, she was killing it. So shes like, you guys think you got rid of me, but I got other sh-t to do. But as far as how its gonna be resolved, I cant tell you that.

Have we thought up a revenge plot against Crystal yet?

Well, that would entail me telling you Crystal was definitely the person that did it so I cant answer that either. But how messed up would it be if your sorority sister regardless of if shes a rival principal, thats my Soror, so she does need to come see me if thats the case. I feel sorry for Tatyana Ali for any grocery shopping or anything she has to do until the next episode because people are gonna be mad at her. (Laughs) Shes gonna have to stay in isolation until things get resolved.

Were also now left with a question of the future of Ava and OShons (Matthew Law) relationship after they just had their first date.

You see that man, Ava isnt going to let that go. She got in the junkie car. My question as Janelle James is, is he really poor? I dont know that. Quinta ran up to tell me Im fine, but Im like, is he poor? Can we talk about whats really important here (laughs)? But OShon is a great development. I like that with all of Avas developments, yes, these other people exist her dad, OShon but its not about them, its about her. They exist as a device to get her her to open up to show different sides of her and to give me, the actor, different levels to play and I love it.

It feels like we could see you in a drama after these last episodes.

Put that in print as well. Im ready to see me in a drama because I can do that. Were a comedy show, and people were screenshotting themselves crying and sending it to me, so I feel like I did that.

In that same article from The Wrap, co-showrunner Justin Halpern said you deserve an Emmy and that he would just ask any Emmy voter, what character on TV that you watch makes you laugh more than Janelle? How do you feel about those words from him?

I didnt know he said that. Im going to send him a text after this. Thats cool, I deserve an Emmy, sure. Definitely. I would say if anything for this season more than any other. Emmys and all the awards arent things that I think about really. Im not walking around like, I deserve an Emmy, but if somebody like Justin is saying that out loud, I will agree. I do deserve it. Ive been putting a lot of work into this character. And like he said, who is it that makes you laugh and also makes you cry two seconds later? Thats a testament to my acting and also to the writing on this show. We all deserve an Emmy. It hasnt been easy, and I appreciate him saying that. People think comedy is so easy and if people find out that I was a comedian before this, theyre like, oh, shes just being funny. People arent just funny. People have to remember that. Its a skill like anything else so I would love to be recognized for the work that Im doing. Who wouldnt?

Were you surprised at the outcome of last years Emmys with there being no wins for Abbott?

Im not surprised by nothing. Im usually worried about whether I could walk another step in the heels that Ive chosen. We kind of swept first season. We were the surprise, but before I got into this side of the business and now that Im in it, I really am not concerned. I feel like my main concern is to continue to do good work, to remain on air we got renewed for our fifth season, what a blessing and make this money. So, no, I wasnt surprised or affected in any real way.

Well lastly, is AVA Fest still happening?

Oh, yeah. AVA Fest is every year. What are they going to do? Theyve got to bring me back! Ive seen other people online wondering, what about AVA Fest? Again, in three short seasons, Ive established a tradition that people are looking forward to. So whats an Emmy when youve got that? We have fans like that, weve already established these characters so well, weve established the writing so well that people are emotionally affected by it, weve established our different tropes. We have callbacks that arent cheap and corny, like the whole Zach Black, Wyatt white thing. We earned that. Its hard to do a callback in three seasons and have that sh-t hit and be meaningful and thats a testament to how funny it was the first time. Those are the things that are important to me.

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Abbott Elementary airs new episodes Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC, streaming next day on Hulu.