If 9-1-1 star Jennifer Love Hewitt had to have a crossover with another show, it would be one of ABC’s latest hit. The procedural drama isn’t new to crossovers. Characters from 9-1-1 joined the 9-1-1: Lone Star squad for an episode when it was still on Fox, and Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant-Nash guest-starred in one episode of Doctor Odyssey. Hewitt evidently wants to keep the ball rolling and have more crossovers in 9-1-1 season 9. During an interview with Awards Buzz, Hewitt gushed over her love for ABC’s hit police procedural TV series High Potential, and revealed that it was her dream to have her character, Maddie Han, share the screen with Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory. Hewitt explained:
“I am obsessed with the show High Potential. And she’s [Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan] always referencing — they’re in LA — and she’s always referencing dispatch. And I’m like, ‘She has got to come to the dispatch center, or I have to go to her.’ Or, I feel like we could do both … one of their episodes could end with her coming to my dispatch center, and then I could enter her[s] next episode. But I just need to work with that show. I just wanna be on that show.”
When Fire Meets Forensics
What happens when emergency responders from 9-1-1 cross paths with a brilliant detective from ABC’s top-rated crime drama? According to Jennifer Love Hewitt, we might just find out. The fan-favorite actress recently expressed her interest in a crossover between FOX’s adrenaline-fueled 9-1-1 and one of ABC’s sharpest crime-solving series—one that boasts an impressive 96% Rotten Tomatoes score. Could this be the ultimate network television mashup?
Let’s break down what she said, why fans are buzzing, and how a crossover could shake up primetime TV.
Who Is Jennifer Love Hewitt on 9-1-1?
The Emotional Core of the Series
Jennifer Love Hewitt portrays Maddie Buckley, a 911 dispatcher with a gripping backstory and a fierce devotion to helping others. Over the seasons, she’s battled trauma, personal loss, and intense emotional arcs that make her one of the most compelling characters on the show.
Why Maddie Deserves More Screen Time
Despite being a dispatcher and not a field agent, Maddie’s storylines have often driven some of the series’ most dramatic episodes. A crossover could give her even more narrative room to shine.
The ABC Detective Show with 96% Rotten Tomatoes Score
A Critical Darling with Serious Viewership
While Jennifer hasn’t named the exact show, fans speculate she’s referring to Will Trent—ABC’s breakout crime series that’s drawn rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. With a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s become a benchmark for character-driven mystery dramas.
Meet Will Trent
The titular detective, Will Trent, is a dyslexic Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent who uses his unique perspective to solve complex crimes. He’s smart, intuitive, and emotionally layered—exactly the kind of character that would clash and connect perfectly with Maddie’s empathetic soul.
The Case for a TV Universe Crossover
1. It’s What the Fans Want
TV crossovers generate massive buzz. Just ask fans of the Chicago franchise or the NCIS universe. A 9-1-1 x Will Trent event would be a ratings juggernaut.
2. Shared Themes, Different Worlds
Both shows deal with the human cost of crime and crisis. The synergy is there, even if the aesthetics differ—one’s all sirens and speed, the other’s investigative and methodical.
3. Maddie + Will = Power Duo
Imagine this: a case that starts with a 911 call and ends with a GBI investigation. Maddie and Will may come from different worlds, but their combined emotional intelligence could crack a case wide open.
What Jennifer Love Hewitt Actually Said
In a recent interview, Hewitt said:
“I’d love for Maddie to step outside her world a little. It would be wild to see her team up with someone like Will Trent—it’s such a smart show, and our universes could really complement each other.”
This wasn’t just a passing thought—she emphasized how exciting it would be to build a crossover arc that spans genres and networks.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time
Crossover Culture Is Peaking
From Grey’s Anatomy x Station 19 to the FBI universe, TV audiences are loving shared universes. ABC and FOX may operate separately, but streaming has blurred those lines.
Post-Strike Programming Needs Big Moments
Networks are still recovering from delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. A crossover event could be the “big swing” networks need to bring audiences back.
What Would a Crossover Episode Look Like?
A Mysterious Call
A cryptic 911 call leads Maddie to flag a potential serial offender. The case gets escalated beyond local police.
Enter Will Trent
The Georgia Bureau steps in, and Will Trent is assigned. He and Maddie communicate remotely, then meet face to face as the case unfolds.
Trauma Bonds
Both characters connect over shared emotional baggage, using empathy as a crime-solving tool.
Finale: Case Closed, But Doors Open
The case ends, but new alliances—and maybe even recurring cross-network roles—are formed.
How a Crossover Could Boost Ratings
Double Audience Pull
Crossover events attract fans from both shows, increasing viewership and social engagement across platforms.
Trending on Social Media
Fans live-tweet every crossover twist. The buzz from such an event would dominate hashtags like #911xWillTrent and #MaddieMeetsWill.
Merchandising & Streaming Spikes
Expect a spike in old episode views and potential merchandise collaborations post-crossover.
The Creative Risks & Rewards
The Risk
A bad crossover could feel forced or gimmicky. Chemistry between the characters needs to feel earned, not engineered.
The Reward
Done right, it creates a multi-dimensional universe that fans will obsess over—think MCU but for network crime TV.
Will It Actually Happen?
Network Politics Matter
ABC and FOX are competitors, but streaming deals (think Hulu, Disney, etc.) could create behind-the-scenes partnerships.
Fan Demand Could Tip the Scales
If enough people want it—and the actors are game—the studios may have no choice but to listen.
Final Thoughts: A Crossover That Could Change Everything
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s vision for a crossover isn’t just fan service—it’s smart business, powerful storytelling, and an opportunity to break genre barriers. With crime dramas still dominating primetime, introducing emotional depth from 9-1-1 into the slick investigations of Will Trent could make for must-see television.
