The 911 universe ranks among the most popular series of shows in Ryan Murphy's extensive empire, and the franchise grew this fall with the premiere of the new spinoff 911: Nashville on ABC. In a short span of time, the offshoot has become a hit to complement the original favorite.
While the former spinoff series 911: Lone Star also tackled the south with its Austin, Texas setting, this time around, we're in Nashville, Tennessee for a markedly soapier take on the first responder procedural franchise. So far in the new spinoff's first season, we have had long lost sons reunited, countless near-death experiences, and shocking secrets exposed.
But a uniquely shocking behind-the-scenes "secret" about 911: Nashville was recently revealed by series regular Hunter McVey. The first-time actor, who plays stripper-turned-firefighter Blue Bennings, shared that he still has never met co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer Ryan Murphy. Isn't it kind of surprising to have never met your boss?
In an extended interview with The Hollywood Reporter, McVey explained how he went from being a model to suddenly landing his first acting role ever with only one audition. When asked what it was like to meet Murphy, McVey said, "I still have not met Ryan Murphy face to face. But he has a lot of shows. He’s a very busy man."
It's true that Murphy might be one of the busiest television producers working right now. Beyond the 911 shows, Murphy just launched the critically panned legal drama All's Fair on Hulu, announced the next star-studded season of American Horror Story, and has lots more shows in various states of production at FX. But it's still unprecedented that he wouldn't have met one of the stars of his new show.
McVey doesn't appear to think much of not meeting Murphy just yet. Even though Murphy's involved in the 911 shows and co-wrote the first three episodes of Nashville, he's likely not a presence on set as he's handed the shows off to capable showrunners. Still, you'd think that Murphy would have been involved in McVey's casting process. Perhaps he was, though not front-facing.
"I hope he would want to meet me. I hope he was just busy. No one told me if he didn’t want to meet me or not," McVey said to The Hollywood Reporter about meeting the prolific producer in person and getting his "stamp of approval." Surely, it's a simple case of Murphy's schedule being jam-packed.
Since 911: Nashville premiered, McVey has most definitely been the breakout from the series. Because of his obvious good looks, social media presence, and endearing role on the show, he's been the one to watch. It's funny how the story of his casting almost perfectly matches Blue's beginnings as firefighter: starting right away and learning on the job.
911: Nashville airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC and streams on Hulu/Disney+.