We have made it to the end of another season of 911. The Ryan Murphy-produced first responder drama has wrapped its eighth season (and second on ABC) and it's safe to say that it's been one of the most emotional of the show's whole run. Seriously, who would have thought that a show could continue to surprise you like this eight seasons in.
All seasons of 911 are eventful but this one upped the ante, shockingly killing off one of its main characters three quarters through its run. Somehow, it found a way to go on, as the characters carried on saving lives while mourning the death of the 118's beloved captain Bobby Nash. And that all led to the season finale, where Sergeant Athena Grant and the 118 had to contend with the explosion of a building downtown.
If the season 8 finale has left you in need of more, 911 season 9 is on its way later this year. Here's what you need to know.
911 season 9 will premiere on ABC this fall (alongside the debut of 911: Nashville)
Although 911 season 8 has ended its run, the 118 will return in the show's ninth season later this year. ABC just recently unveiled its fall schedule, confirming that the beloved show will hold down the 8:00 p.m. timeslot on Thursdays as part of the network's TGIT line-up. Better yet, it will be joined by more 911 after that.
That's right; long-awaited spinoff 911: Nashville will premiere this fall too, airing immediately after the mothership show in the 9:00 p.m. timeslot. This will mark the second spinoff show in the 911 universe after Fox's 911: Lone Star and it features a star-studded cast, with Chris O'Donnell, Jessica Capshaw, LeAnn Rimes, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley all among the ensemble. If the first teaser trailer is anything to go by, things in Nashville are about to get hot!
Although ABC has not narrowed down a specific release date, the show tends to premiere in late September with a few exceptions. Given that we know a fall release date is coming, it's highly likely that one of the last two Thursdays in September will host the show's return.
Speaking of Nashville, the addition of a new spinoff is great news for all 911 fans as it clearly shows that ABC is ready to invest in the franchise, which is pretty amazing considering the parent series is about to head into its ninth season. But it doesn't look like the veteran series will be going anywhere anytime soon either...
ABC has no plans to end 911 after season 9
911 may be a veteran show but we shouldn't expect season 9 to be the end of the road. This isn't coming from me; it's coming straight from Craig Erwich, the President of Disney Television Group, who recently revealed that ABC has no plans for it to end anytime soon.
Speaking to press at the ABC Upfronts, Erwich pointed out that network franchises like 911, Grey's Anatomy and The Rookie might be among their older shows, but that they are far from tired creatively. What's more, they're actually picking up newer, younger audiences the longer that they go on.
"What we’re seeing is new generations of fans coming in and discovering these shows... Those shows continue to recruit new viewers and stay fresh, and they stay current."
There you have it! Two seasons ago, 911 was temporarily without a home after FOX decided not to renew it for a seventh season (and this came after multiple seasons where its fate was uncertain in spite of being the network's top show). Now, it is on the network owned by the studio that has produced it all along and about to launch its second spinoff. Moving to ABC may have been the best thing that ever happened to it. And now we know that this time next year, we'll very likely be preparing for season 10!
This will be the first season without Bobby Nash
As hard as it is to imagine, 911 season 9 will be the first offering from the show not to feature Peter Krause as Bobby Nash (in a series regular role, anyway). The beloved star departed the show in season 8 after Bobby's shocking death in the two-part "Contagion" event, but he remained on for the rest of the season as the character resurfaced - both as an apparition and in a number of flashbacks. But with Bobby's funeral taking place and the characters now attempting to find their new normal without him, fans will have to try and do the same.
When season 9 premieres, Peter Krause's name will no longer be in the credits and Bobby won't be the one leading the 118. Of course, the more recent episodes of season 8 have dealt with that to an extent, as Hen, Chimney, Buck, Eddie, and Ravi all wondered about who their new captain might be. It won't be Captain Gerrard - that much is certain! - but viewers are going to have to get used to seeing a new face leading the charge.
Whoever takes over as captain of the 118, and whatever larger-than-life feats they tackle, the show simply won't be the same without our beloved Bobby Nash.
Buddie is still a possibility but right now "it stands as it is"
One of the biggest partnerships in 911 is "Buddie". The long-standing friendship between Evan "Buck" Buckley and Eddie Diaz has transcended the show, reaching audiences that don't even watch 911, and it's all down to fans sensing some strong chemistry between them. Although the show hasn't taken them down a romantic path (yet at least), a large portion of the fanbase has been hoping to see it happen at some point or another.
Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman recently weighed in on whether "Buddie" could become more in season 9, with the former telling Deadline that if the show were to tell that story, it shouldn't be just for fanservice but because it's "the right story to tell and that’s the right progression for the characters.”
Guzman also spoke about it, praising their partnership and saying that he understands why the fans love "Buddie" so much and that he can see them, but that right now, their friendship "stands as it is".
"I think we have something so genuine with what we’ve already established. And I think Oliver’s character has said it multiple times. It’s like, why can’t we just be friends, brothers."
Buck and Eddie went through a lot this season and they didn't always go through it together. But they ultimately found their way back to each other. A heated conversation between them led to Eddie sticking around in Los Angeles longer than he intended, and he even brought his son Christopher back too. Now that they are in the same place once again, there is always the chance for the show to tell that story in season 9 (or indeed beyond).
We'll just have to wait and see if that's the story it chooses to tell.
911 season 9 will air on ABC in the fall, holding down the show's typical Thursday night timeslot of 9:00 p.m.