Janelle James announces debut Netflix stand-up special ‘How Romantic’

The Emmy-nominated ‘Abbott Elementary’ star will make her Netflix stand-up debut with a global special premiering November 10.

Janelle James is bringing her stand-up comedy to Netflix with her first hour-long special, ‘How Romantic’, set to premiere globally on November 10, 2026. Best known for playing Principal Ava Coleman on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” James wrote, performed in, and executive-produced the special.

According to Deadline, the hour will explore topics ranging from sexual histories and finances to why women should wrestle men. Matt Schuler serves as producer, while Marcus Russell Price directs. Before becoming a familiar face on television, James spent years building her career as a stand-up comedian. She began performing in the late 2000s and toured for more than a decade, including alongside comedian Chris Rock.

James released her debut comedy album, “Black and Mild,” in 2017. She later appeared in Netflix’s “The Comedy Lineup” and “The Standups,” building on her reputation as a performer with a distinctive comedic voice. Her upcoming special marks another milestone in a career spanning stand-up, acting and writing.

James is widely recognized for portraying Ava Coleman, the unconventional principal in “Abbott Elementary,” the Philadelphia-set mockumentary sitcom created by Quinta Brunson. Her performance has earned her five consecutive Emmy nominations, along with a Golden Globe nomination, a Critics Choice Television Award and two NAACP Image Awards.

Beyond “Abbott Elementary,” her credits include “One of Them Days,” “Black Monday,” “Central Park,” “The Rundown with Robin Thede” and “History of the World: Part II.” Her work has included both on-screen performances and writing. James is also developing “Rock City,” a Hulu comedy set in the U.S. Virgin Islands, alongside “Happy Endings” creator David Caspe.