Finding a sitcom that actually clicks is tough. You usually get a couple of standouts and a lot of filler. But when you look at the cast of A.P. Bio, you realize it’s one of those rare lightning-in-a-bottle situations.
Most people know Glenn Howerton from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Honestly, it’s hard not to see him as Dennis Reynolds sometimes. But as Jack Griffin, the disgraced Harvard philosophy professor turned reluctant high school teacher, he brings something different. It’s still cynical. It’s still loud. Yet, there’s this weird, growing attachment to his students that makes the show work.
The Core Faculty Dynamic
The show isn't just "The Glenn Howerton Show." Not even close. The faculty lounge scenes are arguably the funniest parts of the whole series. You've got the trio of teachers—Stef, Mary, and Michelle—who basically act as the Greek chorus to Jack’s insanity.
- Lyric Lewis (Stef Duncan): She’s the history teacher who always seems like she’s just trying to survive the day. Her timing is incredible.
- Mary Sohn (Mary Wagner): The art teacher with a surprisingly intense streak.
- Jean Villepique (Michelle Jones): The "oddball" of the group. Fun fact: Vanessa Bayer actually played this role in the original unaired pilot before Jean took over and made it her own.
Then there is Patton Oswalt. He plays Principal Ralph Durbin. If you’ve ever worked in a school, you know a Durbin. He wants to be liked so badly. He’s a former 90s ska band member (shoutout to the "The Seven-Finger Fingys") who is constantly trying to keep Jack from burning the school down while simultaneously wanting to be his best friend.
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Paula Pell is a National Treasure
We have to talk about Helen. Paula Pell, a legendary SNL writer, plays Helen Henry Demarcus, Durbin's secretary. She wasn't even a series regular in Season 1, but she was so funny they had to bump her up. She treats Durbin like a son/husband/pet, and her delivery is so dry it’s almost crunchy.
The Kids of Whitlock High
Usually, "TV teenagers" are the worst part of a show. They're either 30-year-olds pretending to be 15 or they're just annoying tropes. The cast of A.P. Bio avoided this by casting actors who felt like actual students.
Aparna Brielle plays Sarika Sarkar, the hyper-achiever who is the only person in the room smart enough to see through Jack’s nonsense. Then you have Nick Peine as Marcus, the kid Jack loves to pick on, yet somehow Marcus remains the most loyal person in the class.
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The classroom is filled with specific, weird personalities:
- Allisyn Snyder (Heather): The quiet, intense girl with the giant glasses.
- Jacob Houston (Victor): The soft-spoken giant who gets some of the most underrated lines in the show.
- Sari Arambulo (Grace): The ditzy but oddly profound student who always seems to be in her own world.
It’s this "sea of weirdos," as the cast once described it in an interview, that gives the show its heart. They aren't just props for Jack’s schemes; they become his accomplices.
Why the Chemistry Worked
The show had a rocky road. It was canceled by NBC after two seasons. Fans (and the cast) freaked out. They used the hashtag #SaveAPBio, and it actually worked. Peacock picked it up for two more seasons.
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Why did people fight for it? Because of the ensemble. By Season 3 and 4, the writers realized they didn't need to stay in the classroom. They could put these people anywhere. Whether it was a tornado lockdown or a fan-fiction competition, the cast could carry any premise.
Even the guest stars were top-tier. You had Erinn Hayes as Lynette, Jack’s girlfriend who was just as smart as him. You had Bruce Campbell playing Jack’s dad. Even Ron Funches popped up as a janitor who moonlights as an underground wrestler. It’s that level of "wait, is that...?" casting that keeps things fresh.
Where Can You Watch Them Now?
The show wrapped up after four seasons, but the cast of A.P. Bio is everywhere in 2026.
- Glenn Howerton is still doing Sunny, obviously, but he’s also moved into more dramatic roles and high-level production.
- Patton Oswalt is basically the hardest-working man in Hollywood, voicing everything from Matthew the Raven in The Sandman to hosting game shows like The 1% Club.
- Paula Pell is a lead in the hit Girls5eva, which you absolutely need to watch if you miss Helen’s energy.
- The younger cast members are branching out too. Aparna Brielle and Spencer Moore II (who played Miller) have become staples in New Hollywood, popping up in everything from Netflix dramas to major indies.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're missing the Whitlock High gang, here is exactly how to get your fix:
- Check Netflix: As of late 2024, all four seasons of A.P. Bio landed on Netflix in the US. If you originally missed the Peacock seasons (3 and 4), now is the time to catch up.
- Follow the "Whitlock" Alums: Check out Girls5eva for more Paula Pell or The Sandman for Patton Oswalt's voice work.
- The Rewatch Strategy: Start with Season 2, Episode 3 ("Wednesday Morning 8 AM"). It is widely considered the "perfect" episode that showcases how the entire ensemble works together in real-time.
The show might be over, but the way this cast played off each other set a new bar for the workplace comedy. It wasn't about biology. It was about a bunch of people who didn't fit in anywhere else finding a weird, chaotic home in Toledo, Ohio.