police and fires Tingle. The film ends with Leigh Ann being named valedictorian at graduation. Cast Helen Mirren as Mrs. Eve Tingle Katie Holmes as Leigh Ann Watson Jeffrey Tambor as Coach Richard "Spanky" Wenchell Barry Watson as Luke Churner Marisa Coughlan as Jo Lynn Jordan Liz Stauber as Trudie Tucker Michael McKean as Principal Potter Lesley Ann Warren as Mrs. Faye Watson (uncredited) Molly Ringwald as Miss Banks Vivica A. Fox as Miss Gold John Patrick White as Brian Berry Robert Gant as Professor (scenes deleted) Cherie Johnson as Student (uncredited) Marissa Jaret Winokur as Student (uncredited) Production Casting Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Sigourney Weaver and Sally Field were considered for the role of Mrs. Eve Tingle, the antagonist. Gillian Anderson was offered the role of Mrs. Tingle, but turned it down. Alicia Silverstone was considered for the role of Leigh Ann Watson, the protagonist. Katie Holmes, who then had a principal role on Kevin Williamson's TV series Dawson's Creek, was cast as Leigh Ann in February 1998. Shortly after, Helen Mirren was cast in the role of Mrs. Tingle. Of Mirren, Williamson said, "I think Helen Mirren is one of the greatest living actresses that we have and the fact that she wanted to play this role was amazing. She elevated Mrs. Tingle to a new level." Of her casting, Mirren said, "This is not the sort of film that I'm usually associated with, so I was thrilled that Kevin would think of me for this role." Mirren commented, "For me Teaching Mrs. Tingle addresses teenagers' insecurities, ambitions, and fears about the future. Remembering back to the ages of Leigh Ann, Luke, and Jo Lynn, fear of the future is the most powerful thing driving you on. You don't know what's going to happen to you and it's terrifying. I think adults forget how scary that is." Filming Production began in April 1998 on a budget of $14 million. The film was entirely shot in the Los Angeles area and wrapped in July 1998. The fictional Grandsboro High School was a combination of location work filmed at Rose City High School in Pasadena, Culver City High School in Culver City, and sound stage sets at Culver Studios. Exterior shots of Mrs. Tingle's house took place at a Victorian-style residence in Pasadena. Controversy The film was originally to be called Killing Mrs. Tingle and released at an earlier date.