- Oliver Stark shares why it took a moment for it to “sink in” that former star Peter Krause was not returning for season 9 of the ABC drama.
- The actor previews how the show will honor the death of Krause’s Bobby Nash — and how that shakes up things amongst the 118 firefighters.
- Buck will share a tender scene with “somebody that [we haven’t] necessarily seen him talk to before,” says the actor.
A lot will be different at the 118 when 9-1-1 returns for season 9.
The biggest difference, of course, will be the absence of fire captain Bobby (Peter Krause), who died heroically at the end of season 8 — though series star Oliver Stark acknowledges that the Bobby Nash-size hole was felt a little less on set than it is for the characters on the show…at least at first.
“I think it almost took a little bit of time to sink in, because if you look back to season 7 and season 8, Pete wasn’t really with us for the opening three or four episodes of those,” Stark, who plays firefighter Buck on the ABC drama, tells Entertainment Weekly. “He was off on the cruise ship or Gerrard [played by Thompson] was captain. We’re almost used to not seeing Pete with us for a little while when we come back for a new season, so it took a little bit of time for it to sink in that ‘Oh, those relationships away from the camera are as strong as they ever were and ever will be, but this time around he’s not coming back.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
As EW broke exclusively, the fire station will be dedicated in Bobby’s name in the season 9 premiere on Thursday.
“It’s emotional — for the characters, but also for us,” Stark teases of the dedication ceremony scene. “When I talk about it taking a little bit of time to hit us for real, it’s moments like that that do hammer it home. You know, we’re making big changes here. We’re renaming the firehouse.”
“I think it’s a moment of mixed emotions within the show,” he continues. “You know, there’s obviously sadness, but then I think there’s pride and there’s joy in the sense of him being properly celebrated and remembered.”
Buck will also have mixed emotions about some other changes that occurred during the six months that will have passed for the characters between seasons. That includes Eddie (Ryan Guzman) stepping in to partner with Hen (Aisha Hinds) on the EMT team as Chimney (Kenneth Choi) serves as acting captain for the 118.
Disney/Christopher Willard
“I think Buck’s trying to hold on to things that feel safe and known to him,” Stark explains.
“He’s not struggling, but…having some difficulty adjusting to it,” he adds of his character seeing Eddie and Hen (…Heddie?) grow closer. “It’s not in the most serious way, where he can’t deal with it, but he’s certainly taking note of it and being loud about the fact that things are new and this isn’t what he’s used to.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
So where is Buck to turn for comfort if not Eddie?
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Stark teases a “quieter, more intimate” and reflective moment: “a lovely scene with a maybe unexpected character where he really gets to spill his heart a little bit and be a bit more emotional and a bit more vulnerable.”
“It’s not to somebody that we’ve necessarily seen him talk to before,” he adds, “and I just think it’s a nice opportunity for Buck to let go and be more honest because he’s not with somebody who he feels is gonna judge him.”
9-1-1 season 9 premieres Thursday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. on ABC.
