"9-1-1 Season 9's Approach After Bobby's Demise: Oliver Stark Discusses Methods to Incorporate Late Character, Perhaps Haunting the Plot"
The highly anticipated ninth season of ABC's hit drama series, "9-1-1," is set to premiere on October 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This season, the narrative will delve into the grief of the 118 team following the tragic death of Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), as they navigate their way through a journey of change and rebuilding.
Showrunner and co-creator Tim Minear has set the theme for the new season as one of transformation and rebuilding after a significant loss. Oliver Stark, who plays the character Buck, shared that the healing process for the team will not be linear, and the season will explore the ups and downs of their emotional journey.
Buck, who felt strongly about leaving the 118 team following Bobby's death, is now finding reasons to stay. He is looking to put down more secure roots, but his involvement in the upcoming rescue missions may not be as he would like. In a unique twist, a tech billionaire, played by Mark Consuelos, will be rescued from being swallowed by a whale.
Despite not needing all the glory, Buck is not typically satisfied with his role in the rescue. His character will be shown to be more settled this season, but he is still grappling with the loss of his mentor. Buck's emotional struggle is a testament to the creatives' ability to move audiences, as evidenced by the emotional response from fans to Bobby's death.
Stark also mentioned that there will be episodes that seem to move past the grief, but it will return unexpectedly. The 118 team will "spring into action a little bit faster" during the whale rescue, leaving Buck feeling a bit left out. However, Buck's dark place following Bobby's death is slowly being replaced with a determination to move forward.
According to Stark, the new season will aim to move forward while still respecting the memory of the Bobby Nash character. The character of Bobby Nash will continue to influence the narrative in creative ways, ensuring that his legacy lives on within the 118 team.
As the 118 team faces new challenges and evolves in the face of loss, viewers can expect an emotional and gripping season of "9-1-1." Catch the premiere on October 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.**
