INDIANAPOLIS — "English Teacher" is one of the best-reviewed new shows of the fall season.
The FX comedy created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez ("Will & Grace," "M3GAN") follows a high school teacher who strives to meet the conflicting needs of students and parents amidst ever-changing rules.
In the sixth episode, titled "Linda," Alvarez's character comes face-to-face with his parental nemesis, played by Jenn Lyon ("Claws," "Dead Boy Detectives"), as she seeks to use her charm and influence to change her son's failing grade.
"I was so stoked to get the audition and now the part to play Linda. I've been such a fan of Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie (Koenig) for so long," Lyon said. "When I saw that it was his script, I was just over the moon and so excited to do it. The part was so fun. She's so complex, multi-layered, and funny. It was just a dream."
Lyon said she drew inspiration to play Linda from her upbringing in the South.
"While my immediate family isn't like this, there was always a pageant queen mom in the town who was the queen bee in high school and held onto her power by any means necessary, and I know her very well, so it was pretty easy to get into that mindset," Lyon said.
And practically guaranteed to be renewed for a second season with its widespread critical acclaim – 97% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes – we can only hope for more of Lyon's character in the future.
"We should write a letter to whoever. I would love it," Lyon said. "The set is so wonderful. The world that Brian and Jonathan Krisel, the director, and the writers, crew, hair and makeup, the world that they created and the set is so warm and so loving. It couldn't have happened to better people."
New episodes of "English Teacher" air Mondays at 10 p.m. on FX and stream the next day on Hulu.