In a recent interview, Lisa Ann Walter, known for her role as Melissa Schemmenti on the hit ABC comedy "Abbott Elementary," discussed her character's surprising storyline in the show's third season and teased an exciting season finale.

The third season of "Abbott Elementary" kicked off with a shocking breakup between Melissa and her longtime boyfriend, Gary, portrayed by Bruno Amato. This unexpected twist took Melissa on a journey of casual dating and exploring her sexuality, which led creator and star Quinta Brunson to apologize for the characterization.

Walter revealed that Quinta, who plays Janine in the series, confessed to her about the direction the storyline was taking. Quinta humorously asked Lisa whether she was comfortable with the idea of Melissa being "kind of a hoe." Lisa, appreciating the humor, responded positively and embraced the character development.

The decision to shake up Melissa's love life was driven by Quinta's desire to keep the audience on their toes and not allow them to become too comfortable with the status quo. Initially considering an affair for Melissa, the writers ultimately decided to have her end the relationship with Gary on her own terms. Walter expressed her concern that viewers might dislike Melissa for her cavalier attitude towards ending a relationship, but was pleasantly surprised by the positive response from viewers.

Despite the breakup, Walter hinted that Gary might make a return in future seasons, leaving the possibility for further exploration of their relationship dynamics.

The third season of "Abbott Elementary" also introduced a new romantic storyline for Melissa, involving a firefighter played by Mike O'Malley. Walter acknowledged that this casual hookup arrangement was a little edgy for the show, but it added an element of intrigue to the plot.

Another significant development in the series is the deepening bond between Melissa and Jacob, portrayed by Chris Perfetti. Walter shared that her real-life friendship with Perfetti translated seamlessly into their characters' relationship, evolving from annoyance to a genuine desire to protect him. This character growth and relationship evolution provide a benchmark of a great show.

In the latest episode, Janine, played by Quinta Brunson, chose to decline a full-time offer at the district and return to teaching at Abbott Elementary. Walter praised the writers for handling Janine's decision in a realistic and balanced manner, avoiding excessive drama. While Janine's return to Abbott might open doors for other district employees to appear in the future, Walter acknowledged the potential for more storylines and job security.

As "Abbott Elementary" heads towards its Season 3 finale, Walter teased that the penultimate episode is fantastic, while the finale is unlike anything they have done before. The actress expressed her excitement about working with Sheryl Lee Ralph and promised that the audience would thoroughly enjoy the unique and fun-filled finale.

Despite facing delays due to the Hollywood strikes, "Abbott Elementary" received an early renewal for a fourth season in February, providing plenty of time for new storylines and character combinations to be introduced.

Fans can catch "Abbott Elementary" on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day.