‘9-1-1’s Oliver Stark Calls Playing Buck ‘Such an Honor’ on Bisexual Day of Visibility
Oliver Stark commemorated Bisexual Day of Visibility by paying tribute to his 9-1-1 character, Evan “Buck” Buckley.
“Good morning. I just wanted to come on here and make a quick video because it is Bisexual Day of Visibility,” Stark said in a Tuesday, September 23, Instagram Story video. “And one of my biggest joys of playing Buck over the past eight/nine seasons is getting to tell the story of him discovering his bisexuality. And I hope, truly, that we have offered up some kind of positive representation.”
Noting that he’s “super proud of getting to be a part of this storyline,” Stark said, “I know there are a lot of people that think things like, ‘Bisexual men are just too scared to come out as gay,’ or whatever it is, and obviously, that’s not the case. And I really hope that we get to hammer home that point this season.”
Stark concluded his message by sharing his excitement over diving “deeper” into Buck’s bisexual identity in the show’s upcoming season. “It’s just such an honor to get to be a part of telling this story, so thank you guys,” he said.
Stark has portrayed the fan-favorite firefighter since 9-1-1 premiered on Fox in 2018. During the show’s seventh season (its first on ABC), Buck came out as bisexual after catching feelings for Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), a former member of the 118 and the ex-fiancé of Buck’s ex-girlfriend Abby (Connie Britton).
Disney / Mike Taing
Shortly after Buck’s love life development, Stark took to social media to defend his character from critics. “If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show. I would like you to know that I truly don’t care,” Stark wrote via his Instagram Story in April 2024. “This is a show about love and inclusion. It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses I’ve ever watched.”
He added, “If one character finding a new facet to his sexuality and realising his bisexuality is your deal breaker – I feel you’ve missed the entire point of the show. You are not required to announce your departure.”
Despite one post-split hookup, Buck and Tommy ultimately called it quits in Season 8. Stark previously opened up to Swooon about what he thinks the newly single Buck should look for in a Season 9 love interest.
“I want Buck to make his romantic decisions from a much more well-considered place, not because he’s feeling upset about something else or whatever it is,” Stark shared in May. “I want him to be in control of the decisions he makes more than anything.”
Aisha Hinds, a.k.a. Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, agreed with Stark, telling Swooon that same month, “I would actually love to see Buck grounded in a relationship and experiencing it in the fullest way, someone who would probably extract that best side of him like an Abby, but with the freedom that he now has to be the fullest version of himself with a Tommy.”
9-1-1, Season 9 Premiere, Thursday, October 9, 8/7c, ABC
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A
I used to record and watch faithfully. The day they turned Buck bi, I stopped the recording and never watched again. We don't have to have the alphabet in everything we watch.
29
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R
"Everything?" Isn't that being just a little bit dramatic on your part?
Well entertainment does, as it should, try to reflect real life. So it must be frustrating to know that the "alphabet" - or as decent humans say, "people" - exist just about everywhere around you in your real life.
Whatever problem you have with that, is entirely a you problem.
34
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K
I have no idea what the alphabet means in this text but I agree with you. Its real life if they cant deal with it then its their problem. I have no problem watching two gay guys...its better than watching a male and female couple fight over something stupid although Buck has already done that. I personally found it more shocking that the actor that plays Buck is from England and the accent really thew me off. He is also vegan which really warms my heart. Maybe he will find a guy on the show and they can adopt kids...that would be fun to watch. Also Im white, 62yrs old and straight...not all old women have a stick up their butts.
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M
LMFAO, your ridiculous
4
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M
Your exactly the type Buck doesn't want to see you announce your departure.
4
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L
You do know the actual actor is Bisexual. The network did not make him bisexual.
7
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Y
Aww muffin. Did Jesus or God tell you to stop watching? We all know how you religious freaks take to heart, everything the fictional cloud men say. But why now? Buck came out years into the series. You do know Hen and Karen are lesbians and not friends or roommates raising children together?
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J
Absolutely love the show about all kinds of families and their love for each other. Hope its on for a long time to come
13
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W
No, not a storyline we want to follow.
12
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A
They didn’t “turn Buck bi” one day. His character was always bi, you just didn’t notice until they made it obvious. Just like you don’t notice all the bi people you encounter in your every day life because the reality is, they’re just like you and not at all like how the fake news right wing media makes them out to be. You’d be surprised at how many men you respect and admire in your life are bi, or closeted gay men. It’s significantly more common than you know.
10
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J
That doesn't mean anyone wants to watch it. Entertainment is meant to help you ESCAPE reality, not jump on for another rabbit hole ride.
10
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H
That doesn't mean noone wants to watch it. Check your head
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J
This show got progressively dumber as the seasons went. The only good thing was that Buck finally discovered what had been holding him back romantically! Love is Love, no matter what. Good for him! With an absolutely unbelievable superwoman cop who survived a ship capsizing, to Bobby who was just too good to be true. Hopefully 911 will be put out of its own misery soon.
9
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J
"Fictional cloud men" no wonder you're yawning. Not enough oxygen getting to your brain.
7
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T
The alphabet she was referring to is LGBTQIA+ community. She's homophobic.
3
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M
I’m not understanding something tho🤔🤔 it was ok for Abcde to watch it before with lesbians but when they actually started showing buck bi then stop recording smh
1
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D
Today I just saw a re run, I liked the show because of Angela Bassett, but now ill pass. Your absolutely right.
1
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J
Wake up Savannah. Your brother in law looks alot like porch guy...Just saying. Going to sue the media? The world thinks he guilty
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