‘9-1-1’s Angela Bassett Reacts to Bobby’s Death: ‘Athena Will Never Be the Same’

Peter Krause as Bobby — '9-1-1' Season 8 Episode 15 'Lab Rats'
Disney / Christopher Willard

9-1-1 will never be the same. And as Angela Bassett wrote in a message on Instagram on Monday, April 21, four days after the episode that changed the show forever, that is definitely true for her character, Athena.

“For eight seasons, this kind, funny, compassionate, talented actor became not only my trusted colleague, but also a dear friend. #peterkrause as #bobbynash helped to introduce @911onabc to the homes and hearts of fans around the world,” Bassett wrote in the caption of a photo of herself and Krause. “I know this is hard for all of you. It’s hard for us, too. Peter’s Bobby Nash will be missed but his character will never be forgotten. He is forever a part of our family. We should all give Peter a lot of love as he expands beyond “the 118” and into all adventures that await him. Love you, my friend. Athena will never be the same.” Check out the post below.

It was in the Thursday, April 17, episode that Krause’s Bobby Nash was killed off, after he was infected with a super strain of CCHF; there was only one dose of the anti-viral, and even though he knew he was infected, he still gave the dose to Chimney (Kenneth Choi), who, too, was dying.

 

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A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett)

Bobby and Athena married in Season 2 of 9-1-1. Buck (Oliver Stark) called Athena into the lab once Bobby revealed that he was dying, and it was then the couple had a tear-jerker of a goodbye. “I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted to leave you,” Bobby told Athena. “I’m not choosing to leave you. I chose to save my team because it was the right thing to do. It was never because I wanted to go. I don’t want to go. If I could choose, I would stay with you always.” Though he wanted her to leave rather than to see him die, she insisted on staying: “I’m here, for all the parts that we have left.”

Showrunner Tim Minear told TV Insider that Krause did not want to leave and it was purely “a creative decision” to kill off and write out Bobby. “Nobody wanted Peter to leave, most of all me, but I just felt like we’re going into Season 9 and it would’ve been comfortable to keep everything status quo and happy happy,” he said. “But it’s a first responder show, and I put these people in life and death situations, except you could probably look at it and say I just put them in life situations because no one ever dies. So it just felt like it was time.”

Going forward, Athena, like everyone, will not handling her grief well. “You’re going to see Athena try to achieve a miracle that she didn’t get with Bobby,” Minear teased.

9-1-1, Thursdays, 8/7c, ABC

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  1. G

    GoldCorn

    Can I say I won’t watch the show anymore, at this point I don’t know. It’s always been a family favorite, but killing off Bobby tore out a piece of my heart. I think it was a huge mistake that’s not going to be remedied anytime soon!

    47

  2. R

    RedPlane

    I can absolutely say I will no longer watch! It has been one of my favorites since it came on. I saw the spoilers before seeing this ep and have now deleted the ep and cancelled the recording. It is beyond horrible that the writer (or whoever he was) did this just to do it. If the actor had wanted out, I would hate the character leaving but would be okay with it ... but to kill off this character just for drama - nope, absolutely not ... will never watch the show again and will not watch reruns.

    38

  3. C

    CyanFries

    The show will never recover from Captain Bobby Nash dying. This was a big mistake to write him out after season 8 is finished. You took away a piece of the shows magic

    37 1

    1. C

      CyanFish

      The show will not be the same now.

      3

  4. P

    PurpleDucky

    You lost a viewer

    25

  5. O

    OrangeGuitar

    Frist it was a mistake to kill Bobby and if the rat lived they could have made a serumn from the rats antibodies for Bobby. Hen could have done it. The antibodies were right in the lab. One vile choice makes no sense. Second the captain dying is not a good story line. Honestly both should have survived. In real life I doubt they would have gone in at all .I am no fire buff. Labs have protocols that protect all even frist responders.

    23

  6. G

    GoldCocktail

    The shows story lines have gotten way over the top & not in a good way. Now with Bobby gone, I see no reason to watch any longer

    22

  7. G

    GreenSushi

    It wasn’t very smart of Miner to kill off the best person on 911. Peter Krause is without a doubt the best person on the show! Leader surrogate dad friend lover, husband and best firefighter ever! He’s going to lose many viewers because of this! It may be the end of 911 for real. Hope you’re happy Tim Minear. Majority of fans aren’t

    23 1

  8. G

    GoldChilli

    A big mistake killing Bobby off & you will prove lose alot of viewers. He was the heart & soul of station 118.

    22

  9. G

    GreenCupcake

    Cap Nash is the strongest pillar of 9-1-1 not just the house of 118. Please bring him back 😢 🙏

    18

  10. B

    BlueBox

    Just bring Bobby back Athena will be fine. Otherwise Bye for 9-1-1.

    11 1

  11. R

    RedBone

    Watched every week. Intentionally skipped the last one. Didn't want to watch one of my favorite Characters

    die for no "good" reason. There's a saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it:

    Hope you don't regret what you did when your viewership tanks:(

    9

  12. B

    BlueCactus

    I'm done....no captain, no 911...in real life people die, which is why I watch make believe!!! Bobby and Athena's story was incredible and unique...I don't want to watch a world without them! If someone HAD to die, kill off Ravie!!! It would have hurt, but made sense!

    6

  13. G

    GreenBone

    Once I read the preview that Bobby would die, I refuse to watch the last episodes. Bobby was the show, even though I loved all the family, but Bobby was the glue that held it together. You are going to lose a lot of viewers or maybe the entire show. Please rewrite!!!!!!!

    5

  14. C

    CyanTree

    Fire the writer

    5

  15. O

    OrangeController

    Ivalue the talent of all of the actors on 911, they have all held their own as each storyline evolved, I grew to appreciate the direction, the depth and intensity of this "family " of people with all of their vulnerabilities, it drew me in week after week.

    However, I am not certain if I will waste my time and emotions on on watching 911 moving forward.

    I am surprised that such a calculated risk would be made to shake things up. What a baaaaaad move.

    3

  16. B

    BlueRadio

    I'm right along with most of the comments. I have been a loyal fan of the show from day one but I am now done watching it. You have completely changed the whole dynamic. Starting with Christopher, then Eddie, now Bobby.

    I'm sorry to say that you have lost another loyal follower.

    I guess it was good while it lasted.

    3

  17. O

    OrangeMagnet

    I love all the characters and actors. Angela Basset is my favorite BUT Athena without Bobby not gonna work for me. I’m out and I suspect the show is headed in that direction as well.

    3

  18. B

    BlueProcessor

    Horrible decision. Athena and Bobby have been through so much and to do this to her is just not right.

    3

  19. B

    BlueFan

    I think it stinks. I’m done. Whose next? I won’t be watching to find out. 911 was a great show until you started screwing around with it. Bobby and Athena are major characters that we expect to be around. No more so, I’m done!!!

    2

  20. C

    CyanCandy

    Poor decision finished watching this show

    2

  21. O

    OlivePlanet

    I believe killing Bobby will be a huge mistake……. HE was 911……HE is who we watched. Love the others too but you just killed your main character…..ugh…..

    3 1

  22. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    Well then, its bye bye to the show👋, it was lovely while it lasted, thank you 🤝. Killing off a key character in a series is the way writers & producers of a show can get all wrong & lose their audience. Captain bobby nash for lack of a better word is the ‘spine’ of 9-1-1. The show CANNOT remain thesame or have the appeal it does without him.

    Its time we move on to other shows i guess🤷‍♀️…. Hope y’ll have a good 1!

    3 1

  23. P

    PurpleCorn

    Please make this a dream sequence he wakes up in the hospital from a fever and reality returns. A hole is missing not only from the 118 and Bobby's family but from your viewers as well. Bobby was the glue that held it all together. Please reconsider his death.💔😢

    2

  24. P

    PurpleBottleOpener

    9-1-1 has been my favorite show for 8 years, until now. I watch TV to get away from reality and feel happy, not to go through a box of tissues. We've got the real news for that! Everyone on that show went to Bobby with their problems, he was the CORE. You can't cut out the core or roots and expect to keep thriving. I'm done and I'm pretty sure the show won't last through season 9. It wouldn't even have a season 9 if Minear had killed Bobby sooner, but he waited until it was renewed. I think he just wants everyone to embrace his new 9-1-1 spinoff and I was going to give it a chance, but now that I see how he treats the fans, I'm not going to bother..

    1

  25. O

    OliveDice

    They need to follow Dallas's episode when Bobby Ewing came back, and let it all be a dream and bring Bobby Nash back!

    1

  26. P

    PurpleWheel

    The show 911 will never be the same again.Bobby played a awesome role ..will have to see if I will continue watching 911. His been a father to many in 911. Not hood news .

    1

  27. C

    CyanStrawberry

    Not happy with Bobby gone!

    1

  28. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    I am done watching. Bobby, Athena, and Christopher were the best characters. The storylines have jumped the shark. Shows are meant to be an escape from reality, not try to mimic reality. Oh well. Was a good run.

    1

  29. G

    GoldFlame

    Bad move!!! I won't be watching anymore..smdh

    😕😕😑

    1

  30. O

    OrangeGuitar

    Even in orginial emergancy the fire department had things to follow with lab fire. So why would they be able to go in a lab with deadly patagens?

    2 1

  31. P

    PurpleTeepee

    I watched the show from the beginning and I can say I never thought I'd be so annoyed with the writers for killing off Bobby what were you thinking that was the most stupid thing you've ever done I'm done watching the show way too go the show will never be the same.

  32. C

    Carol Baker

    Well I think that was the most stupid creative move I’ve ever seen and I will not watch 9 1 1 anymore. Bobby Nash was my favorite character on the show so goodbye to the show so sorry.. Dumb move…..

  33. O

    OrangeScissors

    Such a drag! I enjoyed the character, we will see how this flys

  34. O

    OliveFan

    You ruined the show. We will not watch anymore. You ruined Buck, ruined Eddie & Christopher, and now you've ruined Bobby & Athena. Typical ABC network stupid decision 😡

  35. O

    OrangeController

    My heart is broken needless to say Ted Minnear, I am not impressed with your line of thinking, your calculated move to "CHANGE" what worked. As a result, a tv family has been ripped apart as well as an entire viewer family. The entire cast is talented as each storyline evolved, we learned more about the depth and intensity of each actor. I don't understand why the end had to result in the death of Bobby Nash, the vibe was not right when viewing this episode and I am now wondering why a very talented actor is now out of work.

    I do not respect your decision to kill off this character as it was not necessary to make such a calculated move.

    If given the opportunity I believe that I could write more impactful storylines. Somehow I believe that you did what you did and don't give a damn about the loyal viewers.

    Good Luck moving forward with the ratings of this show.

    I'm out!

  36. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    Not buying the reason they are killing Nash. Even worse the actor does not want to leave. I guess they are trying to kill the show.

  37. R

    RedCarrot

    I'm very upset that they killed Bobby . Why not Ravi he was a newbie n it would of been a lot better if they let him go I'm not watching next season they lost me

  38. G

    GreenBone

    I will never watch 911 again. I have loved this show since it first came on. To kill Bobby of like that was unreal. Will never even watch a rerun!!!!!!!

  39. O

    OliveSword

    That was the dumbest decision to kill off Bobby. Who does that? Kill off one of the main characters with the Ratings at its high. Is Tim trying to make the show fail?

  40. C

    CyanBus

    That was not at all right! We know first responders are at risk always, but we also know it's TV. How dare you break up a happy family!!!!!! 😭 I gonna continue watching? Maybe, maybe not?

  41. P

    PurplePuzzle

    I think it shows that realistically not every first responder comes home at the end of their shift. I will continue to watch the show and see how those who did survive handle their grief. Well done 911.

    1 4

    1. B

      BlueBoomerang

      Most viewers watch such shows for escapism, not realism! A chance to soak into one's fantasies and leave the hard cruel world for a while. For those whose feet are firmly stuck in the mud, there are documentaries or newsreaders!