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\n Related: <\/span>See the Cast of ‘9-1-1’ Return to Set After Bobby’s Emotional Death<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tBusiness is back as usual on the set of 9-1-1 after the show bid farewell to Peter Krause\u2019s Captain Bobby Nash. Several cast members of the hit ABC procedural shared behind-the-scenes snaps from filming on Tuesday, April 22. Oliver Stark, who plays firefighter Evan \u201cBuck\u201d Buckley, documented his day via his Instagram Story, which began [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
While speaking to Us<\/em>, Stark recalled one emotional day with Krause when the duo, alongside Choi and costar Aisha Hinds<\/strong> (who plays Hen), had a quiet moment together as the original core four firefighters featured since season 1. (Series regulars Ryan Guzman<\/strong><\/a>, who portrays Eddie, and Jennifer Love Hewitt<\/strong>, who plays Maddie, both joined the cast in season 2.)<\/p>\n\u2018We [had] just finished and I went to take my makeup off, or whatever, and Aisha went to get changed. And it just so happened that myself, Kenny, Aisha and Peter were all coming out of our trailers at the same time,\u201d Stark shared. \u201cRyan wasn\u2019t working that day<\/a> and [our other costar] Anirudh [Pisharody]<\/strong> was with us and he had left, so it was just the four of us who were the four that started in the 118.\u00a0 And we hadn\u2019t realized, because the schedule is so hectic and stuff is moving. And Peter said to us, \u2018Do you realize that was our last emergency, the four of us?\u2019 And we just had a moment. We all embraced, we all cried a little bit and just said, \u2018You know, this was a really cool ride we took together.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\nHere, Stark speaks more about his final days with Krause, what the future holds for season 9 of the hit series and reflects on what portraying a bisexual character on network TV means to him:<\/p>\n
Us Weekly:\u00a0<\/strong>Congratulations\u00a0on such an amazing season and what a ride it\u2019s been.<\/p>\nOliver Stark:<\/strong> We\u2019ve been up and down on this ride for a time now. But no, I\u2019m really happy with everything that season 8 turned out to be. So I think everybody\u2019s really proud of it. Really proud of it.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> And so many twists and turns, especially with this shocking death. I mean, when you were all at the table read, what was that moment like? Was it just silence, like, \u201cI can\u2019t believe this is actually happening?\u201d<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> So our show most certainly does not do table reads.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Oh, OK.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> But I\u2019m sure that would be the vibe, right? So we were called individually by our showrunner [Tim Minear]<\/strong> and he kind of said, \u201cListen, I\u2019m gonna kill Bobby.\u201d And I think everybody had differing reactions. I think some of us responded with a loud, \u201cWhat do you mean?!\u201d I fell to silence. I was pretty stunned by it, and it\u2019s a big swing. Big change for the show.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> What was your first conversation with Peter like then after that?<\/p>\n\n<\/div>Us Weekly<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOS:<\/strong>\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t seen him [for], like, a week beforehand. I can\u2019t remember what the episode that we shot before was, but we were quite segmented. Then I also didn\u2019t see him for maybe another week afterwards. And in a group text, myself and Aisha [Hinds] reached out and said, \u201cSo, um, dot, dot, dot.\u201d And he just said, \u201cLet\u2019s talk when we see each other in person.\u201d And you know, we had a nice embrace. I said, \u201cYou good? You OK with it?\u201d And he said, \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d You know, this what happens. And he\u2019s doing great. I thank him for all the time that I\u2019ve spent with him over the years and all the things I\u2019ve taken from him. Lessons learned. And I look forward to continuing the friendship, of course,that I know will continue.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Has it hit you yet though?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yes. I think it has because we\u2019ve made three or four episodes since. [Peter has] popped into them, episodes 16 and 17. He makes an appearance, but it\u2019s not the intensity of which we would usually see each other. You know, I say it\u2019s hit me, [but] I think it will probably hit me again when we come back for season 9. When it\u2019s like, \u201cOh, he\u2019s not here. He doesn\u2019t come here anymore.\u201d I think that\u2019s when it will maybe really settle in.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Because it feels permanent now, different now.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Exactly. Exactly.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> As an actor, does it make you nervous knowing that they killed off such a beloved character? Obviously, your character is like that, too. So now, going into season 9, are you like, \u201cWait a wait a minute, what\u2019s behind the corner here?\u201d<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s good to not be too complacent. We should always wonder if we can be doing more or working harder. So it doesn\u2019t make me consciously nervous, but it is a new thing that the show has now opened. So make sure you turn up on time. Get your mark, know your lines. [laughs] I\u2019m not screwing this one up, you know?<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Seriously! Before Bobby dies, he tells Buck, \u201cThey\u2019re going to need you.\u201d Is that a phrase that\u2019s going to stick in his brain now going forward?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yeah, I think so. I think he feels like this was his dying wish, as it were. He\u2019s charged Buck with this task, and he was such an instrumental character to 118. And [having] such a strong foundation that removing him has resulted in everybody kind of falling away from each other. I think Buck is going to take it very seriously \u2014 that I\u2019m the one that has to do some work to bring everybody back together.<\/p>\n\n![\"OLIVER](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/911episode17OliverStark176887_0689.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Oliver Stark<\/span> Disney\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUs:<\/strong> Do you think that he\u2019s ready for the responsibility [of captain] now that Hen kind of turned down the position?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think Buck is trying to make any move in the sense of professionally being the figurehead. He\u2019s not trying to be the captain. But I think more just in a personal sense. And in actual fact, it\u2019s not gonna be a thing that is only on Buck\u2019s shoulders. This is a family and everybody is gonna step up and play their own role in re-tethering everybody back together.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> When you read the script and you saw how well Buck initially took the news, at the funeral and saying, \u201cI went to therapy, I\u2019m OK.\u201d What was your kind of reaction to that?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Well, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s so much, \u201cI went to therapy. I\u2019m OK.\u201d I think it\u2019s more \u2014 you are right, that is kind of how it is said \u2014 [but] the way that I took it is, we handle grief differently, right? And it comes in waves. And the other thing is, in real life, if somebody close to you dies, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that life stops around you. There are still things you have to do. There are things you have to handle. And I think that\u2019s what Buck saw getting through the funeral service [to be]. Like, this is our duty. And we owe this to him as our captain to turn up and be on. It\u2019s fun finding the little moments of the emotion breaking through, but then it\u2019s like, \u201cNo, but we are here to play the part as kind of dutiful firefighter.\u201d So I actually really enjoyed the more stoic approach.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Is that challenging, for you as an actor to kind of balance both all those different emotions?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Exciting.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Exciting, isn\u2019t it? Yeah. That\u2019s probably a better word.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> You want the complex things and to be able to find those little moments, and this is a show that is a network procedural but it has always given us these opportunities to play complex things and to feel more than one thing at the same time, which is obviously what we as real people do. So it\u2019s nice to get to infuse that into the characters as well.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Out of all the seasons, what\u2019s been your favorite arc for Buck?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I think for many reasons, season 7. We played this coming out arc for Buck, and then he uncovered this new side<\/a> of himself that has always been there, but he didn\u2019t quite understand yet. It was fun for me to play through. But I think in a grander sense it had a really high importance and meaning for people. It was a real kind of gift to me as an actor, to be a part of that.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> I\u2019m sure you probably almost felt a responsibility to play this character the correct way, which you do so beautifully. A lot on your shoulders too, in a sense, maybe.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Absolutely. I think the key for me was to really try my best to not feel that though \u2026 I don\u2019t want to get in my head. And I also didn\u2019t want to, I don\u2019t know, place more importance on myself. In the sense that if I just play this as honestly and as authentically as possible, then that\u2019s real representation, you know? That will speak to more people and they\u2019ll be able to see themselves in the journey rather than self-nominating myself as some spokesperson or representative instead. Just play the character and let the character be what he is to people. Let them relate on their own rather than me placing that kind of importance upon myself.<\/p>\n\n![\"176201_0633-9-1-1s-Evan-\u2018Buck-Buckley-and-Eddie-Diazs-Friendship-Timeline.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/176201_0633-9-1-1s-Evan-%E2%80%98Buck-Buckley-and-Eddie-Diazs-Friendship-Timeline.jpg?w=1000&quality=78&strip=all\")
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\n Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark<\/span> Disney\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUs:<\/strong> I\u2019m sure you have so many people reaching out to you though.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Definitely. It\u2019s, it\u2019s been lovely. All kinds of different messages, you know, even as specific as firefighters saying, \u201cI\u2019m a firefighter and I came out later in life.\u201d Or, \u201cI\u2019m a firefighter and I\u2019m still in the closet.\u201d And it was really amazing for me to see that. It was very overwhelming at the time in the most beautiful sense. It just made me know that we were doing something right.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Do you want to explore that side of Buck more in the future down the line when it comes to dating?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yeah, absolutely. And I think one of the things that the show is really keen on doing moving forward is \u2014 the character is bisexual, right? And being clear in that we\u2019ve not said this is now a gay character. Really giving true bisexual representation, I hope, is something that we lean into in the future.\u00a0 And show how all encompassing that can be and just what it means to Buck.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> People have always been asked about Buck and Eddie time and time again. We won\u2019t kind of go down there, but do you feel like there should be, or will be, a deeper exploration between their friendship possibly further into the future? Do you think that\u2019s necessary? Or do you think that Buck\u2019s initial denial to Maddie is sufficient?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yeah. The kind of personal story lines got a little bit derailed by the death of Bobby.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Of course.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> When something like that happens, everything else kind of falls by the wayside. So I don\u2019t know if that will come back. I don\u2019t think Buck is lying in the show when he says, \u201cNo, that\u2019s my best friend.\u201d I don\u2019t think he\u2019s intentionally lying or trying to hide anything. I don\u2019t know if that will play again in the show. Eddie is, as we\u2019ve seen thus far at the very least, been a straight character. So I don\u2019t know what else there is to explore, but that\u2019s not my job!<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Not your job to do that! But we couldn\u2019t help but notice that Eddie and Chris end episode 17 on Buck\u2019s couch. Are you aware of this Couch Theory that goes around. Do you pay attention to things like that?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I am aware of it. I wouldn\u2019t say I pay attention. I think there\u2019s a fine line between the two. It\u2019s out there, but I do think it\u2019s great that people theorize so much and infuse so much love into the show. I take it as a compliment.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Totally. People are fully invested week after week. Last episode, Eddie accuses Buck<\/a> of being selfish. What was your reaction to that?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think Buck is actually being particularly selfish in that episode. But I do understand it from the point of view of, [Eddie] has certainly been [selfish] before. And so I think Eddie is almost dealing with PTSD. His experience is, this is how Buck usually reacts. So there\u2019s almost an assumption that Buck is making it about himself again. And add in the high emotions of grief and everybody\u2019s settling back in and his son is in Texas and he\u2019s bringing his son out. There\u2019s just a lot going on for these characters. Everything is heightened. I think a clashing of heads is inevitable and there\u2019s just so many things. So many emotions.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Totally. And I know that Buck has a heart to heart with Eddie\u2019s aunt. What do you think he\u2019s gonna kind of take away from that conversation and how will he implement that in the future?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> You know, I think she says something like, \u201cChange is inevitable.\u201d And this is a theme that has maybe come up for Buck a few times in the past. I mean, obviously the losing of Bobby, that you can\u2019t stop and that you have to find a way to just accept it ad grow from it. And I do think that that is what the show is doing with Buck here. There\u2019s an opportunity, unfortunately through the death of Bobby, to mature Buck and have him move into Buck 4.0. Or wherever we are now. So we\u2019ll see what that iteration looks like, but I do think it\u2019s a push in that direction.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> What was it like shooting with Peter on that final day?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Emotional. Well, I\u2019ll tell you actually, that the death day was emotional.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Is that what you guys called it on set?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I\u2019m glad we didn\u2019t. [laughs] I feel like that would\u2019ve been insensitive, but we actually shot the preceding episode after the death episode.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong>\u00a0 So it wasn\u2019t goodbye yet.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> No. Because the next day we just had a regular scene, but there was actually a really lovely moment on my last day with him, where we just finished and I went to take my makeup off, or whatever, and Aisha went to get changed. And it just so happened that myself, Kenny, Aisha and Peter were all coming out of our trailers at the same time. Ryan wasn\u2019t working that day and Anirudh [Pisharody]<\/strong> was with us and he had left, so it was just the four of us who were the four that started in the 118. And we hadn\u2019t realized, because the schedule is so hectic and stuff is moving. And Peter said to us, \u201cDo you realize that was our last emergency, the four of us<\/a>?\u201d And we just had a moment. We all embraced, we all cried a little bit and just said, \u201cYou know, this was a really cool ride we took together.\u201d I\u2019m gonna cry right now! I was getting a little emotional. Alright, next question!<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Did Peter take anything from the set? Did you give him any parting gifts or anything like\u00a0 that?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I hope he did. I don\u2019t know what he took, but I hope he took some stuff on his way out.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> Definitely. Well, we have a big finale.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yes.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> How would you sum up this finale? I know you obviously can\u2019t tell us what happened, but what can you tease? How would you describe it in three words?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> So I might give you more than three words. [laughs]<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> OK!<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Yeah. So episode 17 ended [with] this big explosion in the laundry room, and we\u2019re just gonna kind of be dealing with the fallout of that. This big building collapses and we get to see the 118 partnered off in different directions. Some are trapped in different areas and we basically struggle to get back to each other, but also save everybody that they can along the way. Then, typical 9-1-1, hopefully end in some kind of nice, hopeful place.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> I feel like we can\u2019t deal with any more heartbreak.<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> Well, unfortunately, it just keeps on coming.<\/p>\nUs:<\/strong> The hits keep coming. How do you kind of foresee things going as we enter season 9?<\/p>\nOS:<\/strong> I really genuinely don\u2019t know. I\u2019m excited to see what it looks like, whether a Hen or a Chimney becomes captain, or if they bring somebody new in \u2014which in itself can throw up some new dynamics. I don\u2019t really want to speak too much on it, because I just don\u2019t know. And I\u2019m really excited to see what this next version of the show, this kind of new era that it will have to step into, shapes out to be.<\/p>\n
\u2018We [had] just finished and I went to take my makeup off, or whatever, and Aisha went to get changed. And it just so happened that myself, Kenny, Aisha and Peter were all coming out of our trailers at the same time,\u201d Stark shared. \u201cRyan wasn\u2019t working that day<\/a> and [our other costar] Anirudh [Pisharody]<\/strong> was with us and he had left, so it was just the four of us who were the four that started in the 118.\u00a0 And we hadn\u2019t realized, because the schedule is so hectic and stuff is moving. And Peter said to us, \u2018Do you realize that was our last emergency, the four of us?\u2019 And we just had a moment. We all embraced, we all cried a little bit and just said, \u2018You know, this was a really cool ride we took together.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Here, Stark speaks more about his final days with Krause, what the future holds for season 9 of the hit series and reflects on what portraying a bisexual character on network TV means to him:<\/p>\n Us Weekly:\u00a0<\/strong>Congratulations\u00a0on such an amazing season and what a ride it\u2019s been.<\/p>\n Oliver Stark:<\/strong> We\u2019ve been up and down on this ride for a time now. But no, I\u2019m really happy with everything that season 8 turned out to be. So I think everybody\u2019s really proud of it. Really proud of it.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> And so many twists and turns, especially with this shocking death. I mean, when you were all at the table read, what was that moment like? Was it just silence, like, \u201cI can\u2019t believe this is actually happening?\u201d<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> So our show most certainly does not do table reads.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Oh, OK.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> But I\u2019m sure that would be the vibe, right? So we were called individually by our showrunner [Tim Minear]<\/strong> and he kind of said, \u201cListen, I\u2019m gonna kill Bobby.\u201d And I think everybody had differing reactions. I think some of us responded with a loud, \u201cWhat do you mean?!\u201d I fell to silence. I was pretty stunned by it, and it\u2019s a big swing. Big change for the show.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> What was your first conversation with Peter like then after that?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong>\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t seen him [for], like, a week beforehand. I can\u2019t remember what the episode that we shot before was, but we were quite segmented. Then I also didn\u2019t see him for maybe another week afterwards. And in a group text, myself and Aisha [Hinds] reached out and said, \u201cSo, um, dot, dot, dot.\u201d And he just said, \u201cLet\u2019s talk when we see each other in person.\u201d And you know, we had a nice embrace. I said, \u201cYou good? You OK with it?\u201d And he said, \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d You know, this what happens. And he\u2019s doing great. I thank him for all the time that I\u2019ve spent with him over the years and all the things I\u2019ve taken from him. Lessons learned. And I look forward to continuing the friendship, of course,that I know will continue.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Has it hit you yet though?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yes. I think it has because we\u2019ve made three or four episodes since. [Peter has] popped into them, episodes 16 and 17. He makes an appearance, but it\u2019s not the intensity of which we would usually see each other. You know, I say it\u2019s hit me, [but] I think it will probably hit me again when we come back for season 9. When it\u2019s like, \u201cOh, he\u2019s not here. He doesn\u2019t come here anymore.\u201d I think that\u2019s when it will maybe really settle in.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Because it feels permanent now, different now.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Exactly. Exactly.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> As an actor, does it make you nervous knowing that they killed off such a beloved character? Obviously, your character is like that, too. So now, going into season 9, are you like, \u201cWait a wait a minute, what\u2019s behind the corner here?\u201d<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s good to not be too complacent. We should always wonder if we can be doing more or working harder. So it doesn\u2019t make me consciously nervous, but it is a new thing that the show has now opened. So make sure you turn up on time. Get your mark, know your lines. [laughs] I\u2019m not screwing this one up, you know?<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Seriously! Before Bobby dies, he tells Buck, \u201cThey\u2019re going to need you.\u201d Is that a phrase that\u2019s going to stick in his brain now going forward?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yeah, I think so. I think he feels like this was his dying wish, as it were. He\u2019s charged Buck with this task, and he was such an instrumental character to 118. And [having] such a strong foundation that removing him has resulted in everybody kind of falling away from each other. I think Buck is going to take it very seriously \u2014 that I\u2019m the one that has to do some work to bring everybody back together.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Do you think that he\u2019s ready for the responsibility [of captain] now that Hen kind of turned down the position?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think Buck is trying to make any move in the sense of professionally being the figurehead. He\u2019s not trying to be the captain. But I think more just in a personal sense. And in actual fact, it\u2019s not gonna be a thing that is only on Buck\u2019s shoulders. This is a family and everybody is gonna step up and play their own role in re-tethering everybody back together.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> When you read the script and you saw how well Buck initially took the news, at the funeral and saying, \u201cI went to therapy, I\u2019m OK.\u201d What was your kind of reaction to that?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Well, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s so much, \u201cI went to therapy. I\u2019m OK.\u201d I think it\u2019s more \u2014 you are right, that is kind of how it is said \u2014 [but] the way that I took it is, we handle grief differently, right? And it comes in waves. And the other thing is, in real life, if somebody close to you dies, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that life stops around you. There are still things you have to do. There are things you have to handle. And I think that\u2019s what Buck saw getting through the funeral service [to be]. Like, this is our duty. And we owe this to him as our captain to turn up and be on. It\u2019s fun finding the little moments of the emotion breaking through, but then it\u2019s like, \u201cNo, but we are here to play the part as kind of dutiful firefighter.\u201d So I actually really enjoyed the more stoic approach.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Is that challenging, for you as an actor to kind of balance both all those different emotions?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Exciting.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Exciting, isn\u2019t it? Yeah. That\u2019s probably a better word.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> You want the complex things and to be able to find those little moments, and this is a show that is a network procedural but it has always given us these opportunities to play complex things and to feel more than one thing at the same time, which is obviously what we as real people do. So it\u2019s nice to get to infuse that into the characters as well.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Out of all the seasons, what\u2019s been your favorite arc for Buck?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I think for many reasons, season 7. We played this coming out arc for Buck, and then he uncovered this new side<\/a> of himself that has always been there, but he didn\u2019t quite understand yet. It was fun for me to play through. But I think in a grander sense it had a really high importance and meaning for people. It was a real kind of gift to me as an actor, to be a part of that.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> I\u2019m sure you probably almost felt a responsibility to play this character the correct way, which you do so beautifully. A lot on your shoulders too, in a sense, maybe.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Absolutely. I think the key for me was to really try my best to not feel that though \u2026 I don\u2019t want to get in my head. And I also didn\u2019t want to, I don\u2019t know, place more importance on myself. In the sense that if I just play this as honestly and as authentically as possible, then that\u2019s real representation, you know? That will speak to more people and they\u2019ll be able to see themselves in the journey rather than self-nominating myself as some spokesperson or representative instead. Just play the character and let the character be what he is to people. Let them relate on their own rather than me placing that kind of importance upon myself.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> I\u2019m sure you have so many people reaching out to you though.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Definitely. It\u2019s, it\u2019s been lovely. All kinds of different messages, you know, even as specific as firefighters saying, \u201cI\u2019m a firefighter and I came out later in life.\u201d Or, \u201cI\u2019m a firefighter and I\u2019m still in the closet.\u201d And it was really amazing for me to see that. It was very overwhelming at the time in the most beautiful sense. It just made me know that we were doing something right.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Do you want to explore that side of Buck more in the future down the line when it comes to dating?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yeah, absolutely. And I think one of the things that the show is really keen on doing moving forward is \u2014 the character is bisexual, right? And being clear in that we\u2019ve not said this is now a gay character. Really giving true bisexual representation, I hope, is something that we lean into in the future.\u00a0 And show how all encompassing that can be and just what it means to Buck.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> People have always been asked about Buck and Eddie time and time again. We won\u2019t kind of go down there, but do you feel like there should be, or will be, a deeper exploration between their friendship possibly further into the future? Do you think that\u2019s necessary? Or do you think that Buck\u2019s initial denial to Maddie is sufficient?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yeah. The kind of personal story lines got a little bit derailed by the death of Bobby.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Of course.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> When something like that happens, everything else kind of falls by the wayside. So I don\u2019t know if that will come back. I don\u2019t think Buck is lying in the show when he says, \u201cNo, that\u2019s my best friend.\u201d I don\u2019t think he\u2019s intentionally lying or trying to hide anything. I don\u2019t know if that will play again in the show. Eddie is, as we\u2019ve seen thus far at the very least, been a straight character. So I don\u2019t know what else there is to explore, but that\u2019s not my job!<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Not your job to do that! But we couldn\u2019t help but notice that Eddie and Chris end episode 17 on Buck\u2019s couch. Are you aware of this Couch Theory that goes around. Do you pay attention to things like that?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I am aware of it. I wouldn\u2019t say I pay attention. I think there\u2019s a fine line between the two. It\u2019s out there, but I do think it\u2019s great that people theorize so much and infuse so much love into the show. I take it as a compliment.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Totally. People are fully invested week after week. Last episode, Eddie accuses Buck<\/a> of being selfish. What was your reaction to that?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think Buck is actually being particularly selfish in that episode. But I do understand it from the point of view of, [Eddie] has certainly been [selfish] before. And so I think Eddie is almost dealing with PTSD. His experience is, this is how Buck usually reacts. So there\u2019s almost an assumption that Buck is making it about himself again. And add in the high emotions of grief and everybody\u2019s settling back in and his son is in Texas and he\u2019s bringing his son out. There\u2019s just a lot going on for these characters. Everything is heightened. I think a clashing of heads is inevitable and there\u2019s just so many things. So many emotions.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Totally. And I know that Buck has a heart to heart with Eddie\u2019s aunt. What do you think he\u2019s gonna kind of take away from that conversation and how will he implement that in the future?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> You know, I think she says something like, \u201cChange is inevitable.\u201d And this is a theme that has maybe come up for Buck a few times in the past. I mean, obviously the losing of Bobby, that you can\u2019t stop and that you have to find a way to just accept it ad grow from it. And I do think that that is what the show is doing with Buck here. There\u2019s an opportunity, unfortunately through the death of Bobby, to mature Buck and have him move into Buck 4.0. Or wherever we are now. So we\u2019ll see what that iteration looks like, but I do think it\u2019s a push in that direction.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> What was it like shooting with Peter on that final day?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Emotional. Well, I\u2019ll tell you actually, that the death day was emotional.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Is that what you guys called it on set?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I\u2019m glad we didn\u2019t. [laughs] I feel like that would\u2019ve been insensitive, but we actually shot the preceding episode after the death episode.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong>\u00a0 So it wasn\u2019t goodbye yet.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> No. Because the next day we just had a regular scene, but there was actually a really lovely moment on my last day with him, where we just finished and I went to take my makeup off, or whatever, and Aisha went to get changed. And it just so happened that myself, Kenny, Aisha and Peter were all coming out of our trailers at the same time. Ryan wasn\u2019t working that day and Anirudh [Pisharody]<\/strong> was with us and he had left, so it was just the four of us who were the four that started in the 118. And we hadn\u2019t realized, because the schedule is so hectic and stuff is moving. And Peter said to us, \u201cDo you realize that was our last emergency, the four of us<\/a>?\u201d And we just had a moment. We all embraced, we all cried a little bit and just said, \u201cYou know, this was a really cool ride we took together.\u201d I\u2019m gonna cry right now! I was getting a little emotional. Alright, next question!<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Did Peter take anything from the set? Did you give him any parting gifts or anything like\u00a0 that?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I hope he did. I don\u2019t know what he took, but I hope he took some stuff on his way out.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> Definitely. Well, we have a big finale.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yes.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> How would you sum up this finale? I know you obviously can\u2019t tell us what happened, but what can you tease? How would you describe it in three words?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> So I might give you more than three words. [laughs]<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> OK!<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Yeah. So episode 17 ended [with] this big explosion in the laundry room, and we\u2019re just gonna kind of be dealing with the fallout of that. This big building collapses and we get to see the 118 partnered off in different directions. Some are trapped in different areas and we basically struggle to get back to each other, but also save everybody that they can along the way. Then, typical 9-1-1, hopefully end in some kind of nice, hopeful place.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> I feel like we can\u2019t deal with any more heartbreak.<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> Well, unfortunately, it just keeps on coming.<\/p>\n Us:<\/strong> The hits keep coming. How do you kind of foresee things going as we enter season 9?<\/p>\n OS:<\/strong> I really genuinely don\u2019t know. I\u2019m excited to see what it looks like, whether a Hen or a Chimney becomes captain, or if they bring somebody new in \u2014which in itself can throw up some new dynamics. I don\u2019t really want to speak too much on it, because I just don\u2019t know. And I\u2019m really excited to see what this next version of the show, this kind of new era that it will have to step into, shapes out to be.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n Oliver Stark<\/span> Disney\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark<\/span> Disney\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n