Melissa’s denim shirt at Abbott Elementary was a reference to The Parent Trap.

Lisa Ann Walter knows you all love Chessy — and she is just as fond of your love for The Parent Trap character.

She even included a reference in season 2 of the episode to the 1998 film Abbott Elementary.

Episode 204, “Principal’s Office”, Janine (Quinta BrunsonMelissa Schemmenti invites a friend to visit Walter and offer to teach her how to cook. Melissa is wearing a denim shirt over-shirt while she is more casual at home. This look was a huge hit on the internet, with many people comparing it to Walter’s Chessy costume. The Parent Trap

Walter tells EW this was not a coincidence. It was a deliberate Easter egg she requested the wardrobe department include. She says that she wanted to dress a bit differently at home. They said, “Well, what do they want?” And I went, ‘I’m in my kitchen. We’re standing over food. Let me offer a little Easter egg for Chessy fans. They are vocal and so passionate about Chessy and all of them dress up like Chessy. Let me do this.

ABC/Gilles Mingasson; Walt Disney Pictures Lisa Ann Walter, ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘The Parent Trap’

There was only one hiccup — costume designer Susan Michalek had never seen The Parent Trap “I showed her the iconic picture of that scene — that everybody dresses as when they send me pictures of themselves dressed like the character. I told her, “You don’t need to wear the chinos but let’s put on the shirt.” It was not something that I expected people to want. I believed it would be for me. Maybe a few people do it because it’s really fun, but everyone did it and was crazy about it. It was great fun.”

Walter was once more the star of Wednesday’s midseason premiere. Abbott Elementary, Janine and Melissa got very competitive about the school-read-a-thon. Janine wanted to beat Melissa, the reigning champion, but Melissa soon encountered more significant challenges in her classroom, as Mya, one of her students struggled with reading and was teased by her peers.

Melissa called Mya’s parents after Mya claimed that she’d read 25 books in one day. However, Melissa was hesitant to admit to Mya’s learning disability. Melissa instead sat down with Mya and shared her complicated reading history with the student.

After an early screening on the Warner Bros. lot, we got to talk to Walter about what it was like for Melissa to bring out her softer side, how she used her own history to relate and what lies ahead for Philly’s favorite firecracker.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This championship belt for the read-a-thon that Melissa carries — what’s the backstory on that? Is she the one who made it?

LISA ANN WALTER It’s Donuts, the pizza shop [that sponsors the read-a-thon]. It’s funny, although I’m not sure why they did it that way. It was a total hit with us. It had books, symbols, and all kinds of things on it. There were slices of pizza and apples. It was beautiful. It was so cute!

You have a fantastic storyline about the student who struggles to read, and Melissa’s backstory. Is that the source of your story? Do you find that this is something you can relate to?

It’s not clear who came up with this idea. Quinta told me the story when Quinta first mentioned it to me. They wanted to tell a story about a child with learning difficulties. No, I wasn’t able to relate to this particular one. I was the exact opposite. ADHD, which in those days would have never been diagnosed, was what I did. But I’m hyper-focused. Once I start something, it’s impossible to stop. I want the book to be finished. I would stay up until midnight reading the book. I will never forget the day I read the book in economics class. Gone With the Wind Or Henry VII: The AutobiographyIt was a book of about a thousand pages. It was in my economics book. My teacher asked me, “What are your doing?” I lifted the book from my pocket and she was like, “Oh yes, that’s great.” Go ahead.”

Math was hard to me. I couldn’t do it. Due to how I test, advanced algebra was the only option I had when I began middle school. After I was accepted, the teacher humiliated me for wearing a top with a halter and sent my to the office. It was horrible. Then, I didn’t get the math. From first year algebra, it took four years to graduate. It was horrible. Numbers made no sense to me. But words I got. I was still heavy. I was a large kid. I used that as an opportunity to become an actor.

Teachers will recognize the scene with the denial parents. That was a difficult scene to shoot. Melissa has taken a big step back.

Melissa has many challenges. We are used to her being straight forward and not tempering her opinions. She is a true truth-teller. She is honest and straightforward. These are people she recognizes are immigrants. They are very concerned about their child’s well-being. They might not be able to accept that their child may have a problem. She won’t be her usual bratty self. We’re going to have a more intimate relationship with Melissa. It was about being open with them. It was a great scene. I enjoyed it, even though I felt off balance as the character and not very successful.

I want to just say that Quinta, the writer, and Quinta have made it possible for me to be wisecracking while also getting in on the jokes. She is supportive and vocal about how much I appreciate my straight acting.

Are we going to see more of Miss Schemmenti and Mya in this season’s episode?

I don’t know. Let’s put it to you this way — I haven’t seen a script yet where we revisit that. It’s possible, but it is unlikely. This show has shown me that we can’t finish a story, or they get part of it. Then we talk about it and see more of the character.

ABC/Gilles Mingasson Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti

We will see Melissa’s relationship with reading more often. This was crucial in her understanding the rules of this contest.

Another thing that is wonderful about the game of chess is how it allows you to play things out. The writer’s area will then take the piece we saw in 102, and bring it back. You have a problem with that. Let them know why. It’s possible that this will come up in the future. Melissa’s character, I believe, would have accepted that challenge. She was teased about it and became so passionate about it that she is now a voracious reader who loves to read.

She did a lot better with the first loss than she expected. Is she plotting revenge against Janine? Perhaps she’ll call one of her cousins.

There are some things she doesn’t take lightly. Reading is an important part of her relationship with books. She doesn’t want her kids to feel guilty. Number one, she wants to protect her children. Because she didn’t want kids to feel bad, she cheated in egg drop. It didn’t matter. They were not going to learn physics. She knew for certain that this was not going to be possible in this grade. However, she was determined to protect the children in the reading class. Janine may take revenge, but not when she is expecting it.

Although we know Melissa is competitive, did the read-athon have any significance to her due to her personal history?

She values every competition. She is a huge sports enthusiast. She enjoys fighting, aggression and the win. She loves to root for someone. She loved making it personal, but she also understood the importance of helping her little sister.

She did hear some developments in Janine Gregory (Tyler James Williams), situation in the teacher’s lounge. She might try to invent something else.

Melissa finds it hilarious because it’s funny the way it’s written. Janine or she will tell her something and she’ll be like, “We all know.” We’re all in the same school. We are glad to see you. This is not surprising to us. Because she is a truth-teller. She will be like, “Yeah! We get it.” It’s something we already know. This is not a big deal. She is also very determined to “mind your business.” It is not your business so keep it out.

People tend to mind their own business. Will we see her sister more often this year?

Yes. Yes. You’ll be so excited. This is a storyline I told people last year when they asked me, “What would you like to see happen?” I replied, “I’d love to see.” This happen.” That’s what’s happening. It’s that simple. It was a whole new world for me and I cannot wait to show it to you.

We have heard her talk a lot about her vending machine guy, but we haven’t seen him very often. He might turn up.

Yes. He will be there. It’s awesome.

Can you tease next weeks episode?

There’s a story about fantasy football and the students are fighting. There is some competitiveness.

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

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