‘Abbott Elementary’s Luke Tennie On Finding His Foot As The School’s Newest Fourth Grade Teacher

Actor Luke Tennie, who portrays Dominic Clark on the ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, discussed his journey finding his footing as the school's newest fourth-grade teacher in an interview with Deadline following Wednesday night's episode, revealing that his character has been focused on pleasing colleagues since joining the show's faculty and drawing inspiration from Tom Holland's physical comedy style as Spider-Man to develop his on-screen persona. The actor revealed that he views his character Dominic Clark as similar to a puppy in terms of eagerness to learn and please others. 'I kind of think of him like a puppy,' Tennie told Deadline, explaining his approach to the role. He specifically mentioned seeking guidance on physical comedy techniques from Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man, noting how the actor allows his head to guide his movements when wearing a mask. This approach has helped Tennie develop Dominic's mannerisms and comedic timing on the popular workplace comedy. The interview comes as Abbott Elementary was recently renewed for a sixth season by ABC, ensuring that Tennie's character will continue to develop alongside the rest of the show's faculty. The series, created by Quinta Brunson, has gained critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of public school teachers and the challenges they face.