Buckle up, 9-1-1 fans! Season 9 promises to shake the foundations of the 118, and at the heart of the storm is none other than Evan “Buck” Buckley. He’s been the lovable screw-up, the brave firefighter, and the emotional core of the team—but now? Buck is evolving. And not in the small, character-development way. We’re talking major transformation that could redefine everything we thought we knew about Station 118.
Buck’s Character Arc Was Always Building Toward This
The Journey From Reckless Rookie to Reliable Leader
Let’s rewind. Remember Buck’s introduction in Season 1? Charming, impulsive, and slightly immature—Buck was the guy who leaped before looking. Fans loved him, flaws and all. But across eight intense seasons, we’ve watched Buck grow, stumble, grieve, and heal.
Now, Season 9 hints that all those years of personal growth are finally leading to something huge—a new role, a new Buck, and potentially a brand-new dynamic within the 118.
The Catalyst Behind Buck’s Big Change
So, what’s triggering this transformation? Is it a brush with death? A leadership vacancy? Or maybe the realization that he’s outgrown the role of the team’s baby brother? Whatever it is, the writers are setting the stage for a narrative shift that feels earned and long overdue. Buck’s about to step into his own—and it’s about time.
A long-awaited character evolution for Buck in 9-1-1 season 9 is poised to fundamentally alter the 118. As unpopular as the decision to kill off Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) has been, the immediate question that has followed in its aftermath is what his absence actually means for those he left behind. In the 9-1-1 season 8 finale, that question was addressed from a collective perspective. The episode examined who would take over as the 118’s new leader, pointing to Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi) as Bobby’s reluctant successor. It also suggested that Bobby’s widow, Athena (Angela Bassett), will begin to take her first steps forward after an unquestionably devastating loss.
But there are larger questions about what the ABC first responder drama and its main characters will look like when new episodes debut this fall. New comments from original cast member Oliver Stark, who plays Evan Buckley, suggest a significant shift that has been rumbling for quite some time.
Oliver Stark Teases How Buck Might Change In 9-1-1 Season After Bobby’s Death
The Actor’s Insight Comes From A Recent Interview. Buck’s maturity has been a gradual process. For fans who have arrived at the first responder drama later than others, the version of Buck that Stark played in season 1 would be virtually unrecognizable to the more reliable and empathetic character that struggled to say goodbye to Bobby. But as revealed by Stark, the loss of his father figure will propel Buck’s growth to the forefront.
In an interview with Principle Magazine, Stark was asked about how he would like to see Buck evolve. In his response, included below, the actor discusses his desire for Buck to carry forward Bobby’s legacy of helping young firefighters and supporting their growth. Stark specifically mentions that Bobby filled that role for him. In that same spirit, Stark says he hopes that Buck will do the same for others:
“Bobby was so instrumental to who Buck was on the show, and I really wanna see him carry that proudly and feel like he’s doing justice to all the things that he learned through Captain Nash. I want him to carry the banner and help the younger firefighters around him. We have a couple on the show, and so to almost step into that mentor role that Bobby was for Buck, I think it’s time for him to maybe start doing that for some others.”
As revealed by the 9-1-1 season 8 episode “Sick Day”, in which Buck comforted Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody), Buck has been steadily but consistently stepping into a leadership role. It could be an even more prominent aspect of the character moving forward, however, especially considering Bobby’s parting words to Buck. Season 9’s exploration of Buck’s growth isn’t just a character twist—it’s a turning point for the entire show. It signals maturity, evolution, and a willingness to shake things up. Buck’s long-delayed transformation could be the heartbeat that keeps 9-1-1 alive and thriving for many more seasons.
