‘9-1-1’: 118’s New Captain, Buddie & 7 More Burning Questions for Season 9
9-1-1 didn’t end its eighth season on any major cliffhangers — let’s be honest, we couldn’t have handled one after losing Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) three episodes prior — but it did leave quite a bit up in the air for the show to explore going forward. The good news: We already know there will be a Season 9!
Athena (Angela Bassett) and the 118 banded together to save the tenants of a high-rise — and each other — after it collapsed, and then a time jump revealed that Athena was selling the house she and Bobby were building, Eddie (Ryan Guzman) was moving back to Los Angeles, Buck (Oliver Stark) was looking for a new place, Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) finally adopted Mara, and Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) had her and Chimney’s (Kenneth Choi) son, Robert Nash Han, named for the man who saved his father’s life. What the finale didn’t confirm was who will be the new Cap … even if Hen did call someone just that after a stellar speech.
Below, we take a look at our burning questions for Season 9. Let us know yours in the comments section.
9-1-1, Season 9, Fall 2025, Thursdays, 8/7c, ABC
Is Chimney the new captain?
“Copy that, Cap,” Hen said after Chimney put his foot down and refused to let anyone move (Eddie) or transfer (Buck) in the finale. He certainly acted like a captain throughout the episode, from taking charge at the scene of the collapse as they rescued Graham, to the aforementioned speech.
“This is our firehouse. This is the 118. And it’s not just a number, it’s us. And you’re right, Buck. Things are never going to be the same again because Cap is gone. But leaving won’t change that. It won’t make you feel any less sad. It just means that you’ll be sad all alone. Bobby died so I could live, and it has screwed me up in ways I can’t fully express, but the truth is, he would have done that for any one of us. He knew that just coming into work every day, there’s a chance that one or more of us would not make it home, and his job above everything else was to make sure that we did. And we are all standing here right now because of him,” Chimney said. “This team, we are his legacy. So we can miss him, and we can mourn him, and we can even curse his name, but we are not going to disrespect him by throwing away what he built right here. So you hang up your turnouts, you hit the showers, you go home and you get some rest because we are all going to see each other on our next shift, right here, together. Understood?”
The chief had offered Hen the job but she turned it down. Now, we’ll just have to wait to see if the chief offers it to Chimney and what he wants to do. But we’re all for it!
If Chimney's not the new captain, who will be?
Maybe Chimney won’t want the job or the higher-ups won’t offer it to him for some reason. If that’s the case, will they bring in someone new? Will it be someone we’ve seen before? (Buck has wanted the job in the past when it was temporary with Bobby away, but Oliver Stark told TV Insider, “I think it’s a job that Buck probably sees himself one day hoping to do, but I don’t think he would feel comfortable wanting that position now.”)
Could Buck and Eddie really get together?
The possibility of at least Buck having feelings for Eddie did come up this season, with the former’s ex-boyfriend Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) accusing him of just that. When Buck spoke with his sister Maddie, however, he insisted he didn’t.
“I just felt like it was something that had to be said, and it made sense for Tommy to say it. Whether Tommy’s right or not is almost not the point,” showrunner Tim Minear told TV Insider at the time. “It makes sense for his boyfriend to notice, you moved into the guy’s house and really he takes up a lot of space in your world and I think you might be in love with him, and Buck protests and kind of knocks that down. And also when Maddie asks him flat out, he says, it’s not like that. So you can either believe Buck or you don’t have to. It’s up to you.” He also said that there wasn’t anything else coming “not right away, certainly,” about potential feelings, and he was right.
Stark thought that Buck was being truthful about how he felt about Eddie. “He’s telling his truth in the moment, for sure. I don’t think he’s trying to lie and hide anything from [Maddie],” he said. “He’s never even considered this before. He’s telling his truth, for sure in that moment. This is something that’s been brought to him from Tommy and something that he was not, as I say, having any kind of prior thoughts about.”
And hey, a relationship with Eddie would fit what both Oliver Stark and Aisha Hinds told us they want to see for Buck when it comes to one.
“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 [Connie Britton], but with the freedom that he now has to be the fullest version of himself with a Tommy,” shared Hinds. Stark agreed, calling those relationships the ones “that I think helped Buck find the kind of most authentic version of himself.”
How will Athena move on without Bobby?
It’s still hard to believe that we’re no longer going to be getting one of the best couples on TV next season. We’ve already seen that Athena’s not going to be living in the house that they were still in the process of building together when he died. We saw her throw herself back into work before his funeral. What will we see as time passes and she continues to grieve? She and Chimney did get past their issues — she couldn’t help but see the man who lived while her husband died — but will she at all struggle with looking at her friends, her husband’s coworkers?
Where will Buck live?
Buck had been subletting Eddie’s place since his best friend moved to Texas. But with Eddie and Christopher (Gavin McHugh) moving back, Buck needs a new place to live. He was starting to look at the end of the finale. (It’s unclear where he’s living in the meantime.) Will he find someplace that’s like his old loft? Eddie’s house? Something in-between? Will he still be looking when the new season begins?
How will the 118 continue to mourn?
The three episodes that followed Bobby’s death saw his loved ones mourning, but no matter how much time passes between seasons (likely the usual few months), we have a feeling they’ll still be affected. Will we see some sort of permanent memorial for Bobby at the 118, like 9-1-1: Lone Star had for the members of the 126 that died in the series premiere?
Will Ravi be sticking around on a more permanent basis?
Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody) started out as a probie and has certainly grown over the years. With Eddie in Texas, he returned to working with the 118. Eddie’s back, but should, say, Chimney become captain, they’ll need another firefighter, and it would be great to continue to see Ravi stick around. Even if he doesn’t, we need to continue to see him on a recurring basis.
How different will the show feel without Bobby?
For a show eight seasons in, there had been surprisingly very little change. Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi, and Aisha Hinds were all around starting with the series premiere. Ryan Guzman and Jennifer Love Hewitt joined the cast with the Season 2 premiere. And it hadn’t changed since until Bobby was killed off. Things have felt a bit off since, but these episodes were designed to, with the show displaying everyone’s grief and the emergencies against that. Now that we’ll be moving into a full season without Peter Krause and without Bobby, there has to be a new normal. But how different will that be?
Will there be crossovers with 9-1-1: Nashville?
Hopefully! Nashville star Jessica Capshaw told us she hopes there are. The two shows will be airing back-to-back, but considering how hard it was logistically (scheduling! budget!) to get crossovers between 9-1-1 and Lone Star, we’ll have to wait and see.
Be on the Front Line
Get absolutely everything about 9-1-1 in your inbox!
Conversation61 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
R
It's sad that they killed off Bobby, but it's not the first time a show killed off a beloved character. I'll still watch, especially since Eddie is staying. Although, a Buck/Eddie romance will turn me off the show. Have Buck get back with Tommy or bring on a new character, but Buck and Eddie should remain good friends.
-
O
I agree buck and Eddie together would be a turnoff,it was a turnoff when they made buck turn out to be gay all of a sudden.
-
G
Bi. Not gay. He still likes women. He's just happens to like men, too. It's not like the show has jumped the shark with such a writing choice.
-
-
O
Popular opinion, i don‘t want to see this awful Tommy character on 911 ever again. His little plot device story is now told and we all gladly will move on from him.
-
G
Bold of you to call it a popular opinion when you don't speak for anyone but yourself. 🤨
-
-
-
P
I think they should bring Bobby back in season 9 or say goodbye to season 10. I don't think it will last without it.
-
S
Bring him back for good not as an illusion or dream as the firefighter and the husband. Not to say goodbye, but to be there like he was or this show is dead. There’s not a defibrillator that can bring it back.
-
G
That,t what I want.. no body can replace him. The show won,t last.
-
-
-
C
I think going into s9 they need to make it clear where the storylines are going before s9. They also need to change how they market the show going forward to avoid queerbating again. If all the buddie press came out after s8 final it could of built that hype up for s9,but now since they used it for the final it comes off as queerbating. I also think Kristen Reidel needs to be fired as a writer for the show since the last episodes she wrote have been the worst in the shows history,she also wrote for s6 final. Tim Minear also needs to be removed,the actors have made it clear they don't like there there storylines were going,on top of the rewrites and getting scripts the night before. I still have a little hope for s9 but they need to get there stuff straighten out going forward.
-
O
In year 2025 let’s not ask for people to lose their jobs. You don’t need that karma, kid 🫶🏻
-
-
P
People are very angry at the creators for Bobby's death and I do get it. I am sticking around for now because they have a great cast and you can see parts of the original glory time to time but there needs to be more consistency. The second to last episode was brilliantly done but the finale was a major letdown. Like another comment said there is a kind of whiplash in how many stories are handled. From Maddie's recovery to Hen almost losing her son and it not being dealt with again to Eddie individual story faltering to Eddie and Buck closeness then distancing. I get why they aren't doing much press but hearing the vision for next season would reassure a lot of viewers I think.
-
R
I'm tired of that speech about Buck and Eddie not being able to be together because Eddie is straight, Buck was also straight until in a matter of seconds he kissed a guy (they could have chosen someone better) and he stopped being so and came out as bisexual, in the series it was never established that Eddie is straight, and a person who has no doubts about their sexuality does not feel the need to declare it in public unless they have doubts and need to convince themselves. I want Buddie canon but I know that Tim Minear is only interested in using that eternal possibility of Buddie canon as damage control for the huge MISTAKE of killing Bobby.
-
E
Michael and (ugh) Tommy were also presumed straight, until they weren't.
-
-
P
People get a grip!! It's entertainment, not life or death. I hate it that Bobby is gone also but unfortunately first responders do die in the line of duty and they die protecting people they care for as well as citizens in their jurisdiction(s). That's life in this world we live in.
-
G
Yes, Eddie would be everything Buck wants and needs - and vice versa! They set up a beautiful and unique story even if it wasn’t the original intent. I just find the whole “up to interpretation” “believe him or not” hard at this point in time, because this is not the same as other potential slowburns and there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think it’s fair if people just want to know at the very least if it’s actually possible or not…why get invested more and set yourself up for potential hurt? I didn’t expect anything groundbreaking but it was whiplash from the previous episode in not even letting them speak and felt very strange for the show and characters. Like season 6, which was a low point in the show’s history. I think that some fans set too high expectations because of the pre-finale promo, which is unfortunate and not the fault of the cast, but I hope cooler heads will prevail eventually.
I also hope the show is able to figure out the issues plaguing it in the last half of the season, because it was a sad end in many ways.
-
B
Geez, Screw up Christopher somemore. Mother leaves, comes back, dies. Buck...babysitter..
-
-
C
Bring back Captain Bobby Nash, I don't know why u let Peter Kraus go Minear but yet u created 2 spin-off from 911 I just don't understand your logic, I truly believe that 911 ratings will go down hill thanks for nothing for destroying a good show by killing off captain Nash you have disappointed a lot of fans, u suck big time Mr. Minear
-
O
I would love to see more Tommy. I think his perfect for Buck, he brings enough story to exist as a character in his own right and it extends the world beyond the 118 and allows for more story. Tommy and Eddie - ex friends/ jealousy/ tension. Chimney and Tommy always good friends - support as Captain now he can’t talk to people in the team about certain things for professionalism. Unresolved issues between Tommy and Hen from when they worked together. The Parallel between him and Maddie - both runners! And all his own insecurities!
-
E
Yes, I"m sure Chim and Tommy were very close when Tommy was a racist bully who tormented him. You know, back when the writers didn't decide just to lazily handwave all his characterization away.
-
O
Why do you think that? Out of all the love interests Buck had this guy was the absolute worst. He treated him like s*** why do you want someone like that for Buck? Even Taylor Kelly treated Buck better than this guy. He is perfectly so absolurely not perfect for Buck that i‘m glad at least the show knows this and moved on from that man.
-
R
Absolute worst? Treated him like crap? What are you smoking? I think you're seeing things through your biased glasses and not as they are. Tommy cared for Buck when he was sick. He showed up for him when he was in the hospital. He came to his friend's bachelor's party and Buck's sister's wedding for Buck. Where's this behavior you speak of? Oh yeah, you want Buddie so you make it up in your own mind. Yeah, not gonna happen. Move on.
-
-
-
O
Let Eddie find true love
-
P
I am still done with this show. I think Buck and Eddie getting together is absurd! Eddie is a hunk and needs to be with a woman. These writers have totally lost it. I am not a homophobe and it is fine if Buck is gay. But not with Eddie.
-
B
You can't pick and choose in life
-
O
Yes u actually can
-
-
G
Buck is bi, not gay.
But I will agree he does not need to be with Eddie. Eddie treats him horribly and he's barely even a friend. That relationship would be a mess.
-
-
R
They have said in a 100 different ways just this last week that Buck and Eddie will not get together romantically and that Eddie is straight, but I guess ya'll can't resist clickbait. And then ya'll wanna get mad and accuse the show of queerbaiting when it doesn't go your way
-
G
How does wanting to see Buck back with someone that made him happy have anything to do with diversity? They're literally suggesting Buck, a man, get back with his boyfriend. Just because someone doesn't want the same pair you do, doesn't mean they're outdated and against representation.
-
G
As anyone considered Josh as Bucks new romance . Josh is cute,. Also Buck should buy Athena 's house. It stays in the family.
Still can't believe Bobby is really gone. IDK . Hard to imagine 911 without him.
-
O
I think people need to realize that Bobby is dead. He's not coming back. We all loved him. But get over it. There is no way he's coming back so just let it go. The show is a great show. The best on for me. But they will carry on and it will be great again to you all. I know it will be for me,!
-
G
He's 100% coming back, your just to dumb to see it. 🤣 there been literally clues by the cast 🤦🏼♂️
-
-
B
Who cares ,this show is ruined. Ryan Murphy killed a great show . We as fans don't need Buck and Eddie together intimately and we sure didn't need the Captain to be written off the show.
I don't watch it since Bobby was written out. I do read these news feeds out of curiosity and to see what others think .
-
O
I agree with you - I won't watch anymore. Was just getting ready to watch S8 streaming but won't even bother now that I know they've killed Bobby. I also read the TV Insider emails I get, but unless it says they've made Bobby's death a 'nightmare' episode - I won't be back.
-
-
G
The answer is no. Buck and Eddie are not getting together. How much clearer can the cast, the show, and the showrunner be? Oh and there's a question you forgot: Will Buck and Tommy reconcile?
-
P
Reconcile what? They broke up early in the season. Tommy had no role or interaction with Buck in the last three episodes. Their closure was in the helicopter "we may not have worked out but I can still help you and be there for you as a friend" and was a nice and realistic way to close their story.
-
G
I don't think it did, though. I think it left a possibility for reconciliation. It showed that Tommy still cares about Buck. Tommy told Buck he wanted to get back together. This time it's on Buck this time. The scene where Tommy watched Buck break down after Bobby's death shows they still have a chance. I think the funeral episode was a good way to remind audiences that Tommy exists in this universe outside of Buck. Either way, Buck and Tommy have a chance. You don't have to like it. Buck is currently grieving but if Tommy keeps showing up in episodes, there's always a chance for reconciliation. Have a nice day.
-
-
-
G
I see I got your copy/paste response to everyone whose opinion doesn't align perfectly with yours. (I did report you for spam, but obviously nothing's been done about it.)
Let me ask you - what part of 'I want Tommy and Buck to get back together' makes you think I'm homophobic? Because let's be real, that's what you're accusing me of.
-
P
If they put Buck and Eddie as a couple, I'm done! Shoving all this "progressive " bullshit down people's throats is not going to end well for Hollywood
-
O
I'm so tired of the Buck and Eddie speculation. It just doesn't ring true for Eddie! They talk about Buck and Bobby's love for each other but no one suggested they hook up! It's possible for a straight and a bi man to have deep love and friendship without it turning sexual.
-
O
These are just the same 10 fake accounts who are still trying to make LFJ relevant.
-
P
The reason you killed off Bobby was to be creative correct. Well now you can be creative in bringing him back. I mean an overturned ocean liner and Athena flying a plane very creative. You can also develop the characters strengths along the way .But this is a good idea .Breath taking emergencies and subplots with the personalities will keep us interested in the whole package. Please think about it . You have created another spin off as well.
-
P
Bring Bobby back. Please
-
G
It sounds all exciting. Only if Bobby was there so I don’t know if I could be watching it again after watching it from day one kinda ruined everything for me. I don’t know why they would do this to the show. Such a great show, but Bobby made the biggest part of it. He brought everybody around the table. There’s nobody that can sell his shoes. I don’t even watch the reruns anymore. I would watch them every Tuesday morning tonight again and again and again, but I can’t do that knowing Bobby’s not coming back.
-
O
I think them letting Bobby die was a huge mistake. I don't think I'll be watching this show anymore. It just doesn't look the same without Bobby.
-
P
M kinda still expecting some plot twist around Bobby.
Bring him back.. 😭 😭 😭
-
G
Im not as interrested in the show since they took bobby off the actors are great but without bobby its too big of a change
-
G
Please don't put back in another relationship with a male you've already disappointed us enough with Bobby's death
-
P
What happened to Graham? Did he survive?
-
P
I think Eddie should be the new Captain-duh. That’s a no brainer
-
G
I don't think they should get buck and Eddie together and I am mad they killed Bobby off they said it's budget and production costs well they had to have known that when they started! So explain to me why they are doing 911 Nashville and couldn't pick up lonestar how's killing off Bobby making a difference in cost! I think they need to find a way to bring Bobby back!
-
G
I'm not happy about the death of Bobby. I will watch for a while and dee what happens but I don't want buck and Eddie together unless it's just friends. Maybe Eddie can be captain
-
G
Eh, I am indifferent to Bobby's death. Maybe that's partially because it was spoiled for me. Will I miss him? Yes. Am I angry? No. These people have been surviving too much for too many years. Really, someone should have been killed off years ago. And tbh, with Christopher in Texas with his grandparents I think it should have been Eddie. He's the least interesting character on the show. And then all this crap about Buddie 'queerbaiting' could be put to rest. Buck is canonically bi - you can't tell me they're not following through on a m/m relationship when he's been on and off with Tommy for a year. Personally, I hope to see Tommy develop as a character beyond Buck's love interest, but also see him rekindle his relationship with Buck once they've worked throigh their issues. Perhaps if/when one of the 118 gets promoted to captain, Tommy could transfer back because there'd be an opening? Because he keeps stealing helicopters for unofficial uses so really they should ground that boy. 🤞
-
C
They need to drop the buck / eddie gay thing. A lot of viewers will STOP tuning in if it gets weird
-
R
What are you talking about? Showing up for your partner when they're sick, twice. Being there at major life events, twice. Sitting with them and showing up when they need you, even though you've broken up with them. Yeah, cowardly behavior being there for them. What world are you living in?
-
B
Eddie would make an excellent Captain. Especially with his military background!
-
E
He has the least seniority at the 118, has no command experience from the military (he wasn't an officer), and doesn't remotely have a handle on dealing with stress or failure (repression, his favorite, is not the way to go). He would be a poor choice.
-
-
G
Please don't put Eddie in a relationship with buck that would be so wrong
-
G
Rob lowe should be the captain
-
E
Why would Owen want a demotion to captain of a single LA firehouse when he's in charge of the entire NYFD?
-
-
O
I think Buck can love Eddie and it not be romantic. He’s still discovering himself and falling in love with a best friend I think is something that happens during a transition. Then it would have to be that Eddie becomes attracted to Buck if they were to get involved and he’s shown no signs of being gay. I know Buck hadn’t either. I really don’t think it’s a relationship the show should have.
I think Eddie should be Captain. He went to the building collapse and got things done like Bobby would have done. I don’t see Chim being Captain, but can’t explain it. If he isn’t promoted then it should be Eddie.
I figured baby Han would be a Robert “Bobby” name sake. I don’t think they should call him Bobby tho. Call him Robert or maybe Nash.
Let Athena grieve before getting her into any new relationship. Selling the new built house felt right. It was no longer her dream without Bobby.
-
P
Please do not have Buck and Eddy get together. Eddy deserves better. I am not a fan of Bucks character but I tolerate it.
Let’s hook Eddie up with a wonderful string woman long term.
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services