The highly anticipated return of 9-1-1 for Season 9 picks up six months after the devastating Season 8 finale, which saw the tragic loss of Captain Bobby Nash, portrayed by Peter Krause. The team is grappling with the aftermath, with Athena (Angela Bassett) immersing herself in work and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) serving as interim captain. Despite the underlying sorrow, the season promises a return to the show's characteristic tempo and pace, kicking off with an unusual storyline involving an Elon Musk-esque billionaire (Mark Consuelos) and culminating in Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Athena's journey to space.

Collider's interview with Oliver Stark, who plays Evan 'Buck' Buckley, sheds light on the emotional landscape of the new season, particularly Buck's coping mechanisms following Bobby's death. Stark notes that while the 'wound' is no longer fresh, it remains a 'scar,' indicating an ongoing recovery and restructuring for the 118. The absence of Peter Krause has been profoundly felt, described by Stark as 'strange' and a significant loss of presence and leadership. However, he also views it as an 'opportunity' for the show to evolve, shake things up, and explore new narrative directions.

Buck's relationship with Bobby was a pivotal mentor-mentee dynamic, with Bobby serving as a father figure. Stark expressed keen interest in seeing Buck adopt a similar mentor role for others in the future, viewing it as the 'ultimate honor and tribute' to Bobby's memory, allowing Buck to pass on the lessons he learned.

Regarding Buck's personal relationships, Stark addressed the fallout from Eddie (Ryan Guzman) leaving for Texas in the previous season. He believes the characters possess an understanding that allows them to move past such decisions, focusing instead on their current togetherness and mutual support. Fans can also look forward to more scenes between Buck and Christopher (Gavin McHugh), though Stark teases that Christopher is growing into a 'sassy teenager' who will challenge Buck in new ways.

The much-discussed potential romance between Buck and Eddie, often referred to as 'Benson,' was also a topic. Stark adopted a neutral stance, emphasizing the importance of separating 'fanon' (fan-created interpretations) from 'canon' (official show storylines). He believes actors should not be swayed by fan opinions, and audiences should be free to interpret the show without actor influence, fostering a healthier creative space for both parties.

Looking into Buck's past, Stark acknowledges the impact of his upbringing and the 'Buck Begins' episode in contextualizing his character. While satisfied with how these storylines played out, he suggests there might be deeper avenues to explore regarding 'why he is the way that he is,' particularly his tendency to throw himself into danger. Furthermore, Stark expressed his enjoyment for any 'Buck and Athena' storylines, appreciating their dynamic's progression from initial disrespect to a strong bond. While Athena ventures into space in the premiere, Buck's space travel is not on the immediate horizon, though Stark humorously asserts his confidence in Buck's capabilities for any situation.

New episodes of 9-1-1 Season 9 air every Thursday at 8 PM EST and are available for streaming on Hulu the following day in the U.S.