The social media tribute that 9-1-1 fans have been anxiously awaiting/dreading has finally arrived. On Monday, April 21 — four days after the hit ABC series killed off Peter Krause’s beloved character Captain Bobby Nash in Season 8, Episode 15 — 9-1-1 star Angela Bassett posted a photo of her and her on-screen hubby to Instagram alongside a touching tribute.
When a TV character dies, it can hit hard. But when an actor pays tribute to their co-star, it reaches deeper. That’s exactly what happened when Angela Bassett, the powerhouse behind Athena Grant on 9-1-1, shared an emotional tribute to Peter Krause after his character, Bobby Nash, was killed off the show. In just a few words—“Athena will never be the same”—Bassett captured the heartbreak of both the fans and the cast. Let’s dive into the story behind this emotional farewell, the impact on the 9-1-1 universe, and why this moment matters more than just another TV twist.
“For eight seasons, this kind, funny, compassionate, talented actor became not only my trusted colleague, but also a dear friend. #PeterKrause as #BobbyNash helped to introduce @911onabc to the homes and hearts of fans around the world,” Bassett wrote to her 4.5 million Instagram followers. “I know this is hard for all of you. It’s hard for us, too,” Bassett continued. “Peter’s Bobby Nash will be missed but his character will never be forgotten. He is forever a part of our family. We should all give Peter a lot of love as he expands beyond ‘the 118’ and into all adventures that await him. Love you, my friend. Athena will never be the same.” BRB, SOBBING!
In wake of the devastating, show-altering episode, Deadline published a heartfelt letter from Krause in which the actor shared his affection for his character and thanked viewers and colleagues for the “wild ride.” In the letter, he specifically shouted out Bassett, who plays his on-screen wife, Athena, writing, “I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands. We parted ways too soon. Much love.”In Krause’s Good Morning America interview on April 18, he also added, “I won’t have a relationship like that again on TV. It’s been a fantastic eight years. I’m going to miss her a lot.”
Bassett joins a long list of fans and cast members — including Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Aisha Hinds, and more — who’ve posted emotional tributes to Krause and mourned the loss of his character on 9-1-1 since Thursday’s episode. As noted in a previous article, Bassett told Deadline that she had no idea something as major as a main character death was coming in Season 8 and was shocked to learn the news.
“Absolutely not. Not an inkling, not a word, not birdies, nothing. This is near the end of the season. Sometimes near the end of the season, we’re in this race against time to get our scripts, you’re really getting it in real time. It’s like get it today, and we’re going to start filming it tomorrow,” Bassett explained. “So it was really a jaw-dropping moment when I read the script and saw that… I remember Tim called. He said, someone’s going to pass away. I said, Is it me? Self-preservation, you know. I went through the list, you start with yourself, but I was very surprised that it was my husband.”
Angela Bassett’s tribute wasn’t just about Bobby Nash. It was about Peter Krause, the man who brought him to life. Her words, “Athena will never be the same,” captured something real. A shift. An ending. And for many, a heartbreak they didn’t see coming. But it was also a reminder of why 9-1-1 resonates: because it’s about more than emergencies. It’s about human connection—and those don’t end when the credits roll.
