As “Abbott Elementary” prepares for the holiday season with a special one-hour event featuring two festive episodes, the excitement for a crossover with “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is building.

This Emmy-winning show’s fourth season, which kicked off on October 9, has resonated well with audiences, evidenced by a massive 321% increase in viewers, jumping from 2.13 million to 8.96 million according to ABC.

Quinta Brunson, also the show’s creator, expressed her enthusiasm on “Live with Kelly and Mark” just before the season began, noting, “I’m really excited that we’re doing a crossover episode this season with ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’.”

“Both shows are set in Philadelphia,” Brunson explained. “We’re located in West Philadelphia while they’re in South Philadelphia, so it’s great to merge our stories. Philadelphia is diverse, and these communities often interact, making it a fitting collaboration for the screen.”

Brunson emphasized her admiration for the other show but advised new viewers to be aware that its tone differs significantly from “Abbott.”

Regarding what fans can expect in the crossover episode, she teased that “Danny DeVito will appear at the school,” though she couldn’t confirm he would actually be visiting the school.

‘An exciting twist for television’

In a different chat with US Weekly, Brunson referred to this collaboration as “a fun way to shake up television.”

She remarked, “I think it’s going to be a pleasant surprise for the fans of both shows.”

“Abbott Elementary” tells the story of “a team of dedicated teachers and a somewhat oblivious principal” who are committed to helping students at a struggling public school in Philadelphia succeed against the odds. The official synopsis describes the educators as “underfunded but passionate” — devoted to their roles even when faced with the school district’s negative attitude towards education.

Meanwhile, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” which launched in 2005, centers around “five misfits” – Mac, Dennis, Charlie, Sweet Dee, and Frank – who run Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia, according to its synopsis.

Despite their often disastrous schemes, the group never seems to learn from their blunders.

Here’s everything we’ve gathered so far about the upcoming “Abbott Elementary” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” crossover episode, including the release date and cast details.

When will the ‘Abbott Elementary’ crossover episode with ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ air?

The eagerly awaited crossover episode of “Abbott Elementary” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is set to premiere on Wednesday, January 8, at 9:30 PM ET on ABC and will be accessible for streaming on Hulu the following day.

Fans can also stream the first three seasons of “Abbott Elementary” on Hulu.

Hulu offers subscription plans that range from $7.99 to $17.99 per month for standard streaming, as well as options ranging from $75.99 to $89.99 per month for subscriptions that include live television. New subscribers can enjoy a free trial period as well.

‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 4 cast

Here’s the lineup for Season 4 of “Abbott Elementary”:

• Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues
• Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie
• Janelle James as Ava Coleman
• Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill
• Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti
• William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson
• Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard

While ABC hasn’t disclosed which cast members from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” will appear, a representative confirmed to YSL News on Monday that all main cast members will feature in the episode.

Both series’ casts have shared behind-the-scenes moments on social media, revealing that fans can look forward to appearances by Danny DeVito, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, and Rob McElhenney.

How many episodes will Season 4 of ‘Abbott Elementary’ include?

According to ABC, Season 4 of “Abbott Elementary” is set to consist of 22 episodes.