9-1-1 star Oliver Stark reveals that one fan-favorite character won’t be replacing Bobby. It’s in the 9-1-1 season 8 finale, “Sesimic Shifts”, that a reluctant successor to Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) is teased. The season’s closing installment tackles the question of who will lead the 118 as its new captain, though the hour ends without an official announcement one way. Stark, who plays Evan Buckley, spoke with Principle Magazine and revealed why he thinks that Buck would not want to be the leader of the 118. In the quote below, the actor talks about respecting Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) as potential successors. His quote is below:
“It’s a job that Buck probably sees himself one day hoping to do, but I don’t think he would feel comfortable wanting that position now. I think he looks at Hen and Chimney and he’s like, ‘Those are the people that I look up to.’ They’re every bit cut from the same cloth as Bobby was, and I think he’d have nothing but admiration and respect for Chimney in the role.”
What This Means For 9-1-1 Season 9
Howard Han’s In The Spotlight. The 9-1-1 season 8 finale, which is directed by John J. Gray and written by Kristen Reidel & Molly Savard, features a rousing speech by Howard “Chimney” Han. This seems to rally everyone, even convincing Eddie (Ryan Guzman) to give up his plans to moving to Texas in the span of a few minutes.
Hen, for her part, is so moved that she accidentally slips up and refers to Howard as a captain as he’s walking away. For what it’s worth, considering that Bobby sacrificed his own life to save Chimney, it makes sense for him to step up and fill the void that the beloved 118 leader has left behind. Heading into 9-1-1 season 9, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Howard in a leadership role. It’s one that he’s filled before, to an extent. But it also says a lot about which characters are not interested in the role. Hen says it would be difficult to balance her new responsibilities. Buck, for his part, says he’s not ready — for now.
Our Take On 9-1-1’s Endgame. Buck As Captain Could Be A Series Finale Surprise. Even though nothing is official, there are positive comments from executives at ABC that season 9 won’t be the last. With the new 9-1-1: Nashville on the way, the long-running procedural has a bit of time to figure itself out.
Assuming that 9-1-1 still has several years in the pipeline, it means that the procedural has time to let Buck reach the next stage of his growth in the process. Perhaps the show’s ending can be about him becoming 118’s new chief. He may want to be the main leader now, and he may not be ready for it. But in a few years, if Howard is ready to take a step back, and if Henrietta still doesn’t want it, or wants to take a different path, 9-1-1 could be teasing Captain Buckley in the long run.
Let’s face it — Bobby Nash, played brilliantly by Peter Krause, has long been the steady heartbeat of 9-1-1. He’s the captain, the mentor, and honestly, the moral compass of Station 118. But after that jaw-dropping Season 8 finale, fans were left stunned and speculating: who could possibly replace Bobby if he doesn’t return? And just when theories started flying left and right — Oliver Stark, a.k.a. Evan “Buck” Buckley, stepped in to silence one major rumor.
Oliver Stark Clears the Air
In a recent interview that rocked the fandom, Oliver Stark officially ruled out one very specific and beloved character from becoming Bobby’s replacement.
Spoiler alert: It’s NOT Buck.
Fans had high hopes. Social media was buzzing. But Stark said plainly:
“It’s not going to be Chim. That’s not where the story is going.”
Mic. Drop.
So, Who Was the Fan-Favorite in Question?
Enter Howard “Chimney” Han, played by the always-charismatic Kenneth Choi. Chim has been around since the pilot episode, earning his stripes with every rescue. His intelligence, leadership qualities, and deep empathy made him a top pick in fan theories to take over Bobby’s spot.
But according to Stark, that’s just not in the cards for Season 9.
Why Fans Thought Chimney Was the Perfect Choice
Let’s break it down. Chim has:
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Over a decade of field experience
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Proven leadership in high-pressure situations
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A deep emotional connection to the team
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The audience’s trust and love
Sounds like the perfect replacement, right? Stark’s comment throws a serious curveball here.
The Power of Fan Speculation
Fandoms are powerful. If you scroll through Reddit threads or X (formerly Twitter), theories about Chim stepping up to lead 118 were practically gospel.
People imagined epic character development arcs. Others even designed fan posters with Chim donning the captain’s badge.
But just like that — one sentence from Stark, and it’s all up in smoke.
The Deeper Meaning Behind Stark’s Comment
Was Stark simply teasing? Or giving a real spoiler?
He’s known to be thoughtful and careful with interviews. So, if he’s shutting down a rumor this confidently, it likely means the writers are going in a very different direction.
This could signal a new character introduction, or maybe a surprise comeback from someone we’ve written off.
What Does This Mean for Season 9?
It means we’re heading into uncharted territory.
With Chim officially not stepping up, that leaves a leadership void. And in shows like 9-1-1, those voids don’t last long — they explode into dramatic plotlines.
We’re talking:
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Power struggles
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Emotional reckonings
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Team dynamics shifting
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Possibly even betrayal?
All of it is now back on the table.
Who Could Replace Bobby Then?
So if Chim’s out — who’s left?
1. Buck (Evan Buckley)
As much as fans adore Buck, even Oliver Stark has admitted he’s not ready to lead. He’s the heart, not the head of the team.
2. Eddie Diaz
Eddie’s a solid candidate. He’s level-headed, ex-military, and respected. But would he even want the role?
3. A New Character?
Could Fox be preparing a surprise? A seasoned captain from another station perhaps?
The suspense is killing us — in the best way.
How This Impacts 9-1-1’s Story Arcs
Bobby’s possible absence creates massive ripple effects:
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Athena’s storyline (his wife) will be shaken
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The team’s morale will be tested
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Leadership roles will shift
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Personal growth arcs for characters like Buck and Eddie could take center stage
This isn’t just a character swap — it’s a full-on narrative shakeup.
Could Bobby Still Return?
Absolutely.
Some fans believe Bobby is simply taking a temporary break or has been written into a short-term absence arc. Peter Krause has not confirmed any departure, and no official statement has suggested a permanent exit.
This might all just be a clever misdirect.
The Genius of the Writers
This is 9-1-1, folks. Twists and emotional whiplash are part of the brand.
By confirming who it won’t be, the showrunners are playing 4D chess with the fandom. They’re not just writing a show — they’re crafting a psychological mystery off-screen, too.
Fan Reactions: Shock and Theories Galore
Some top fan comments:
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“I was so sure it was Chim! What now??”
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“Is Oliver hinting that Buck might rise up after all?”
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“Please don’t bring in someone new. I want our team to stay close!”
Let’s just say — people are emotionally invested.
What to Expect When Season 9 Drops
Season 9 is expected to premiere in early 2025, and now fans are more hyped (and confused) than ever.
Until then, you can bet on one thing: more cryptic interviews, sneak peeks, and misleading trailers.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
It’s tempting to want immediate answers. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from 9-1-1, it’s this: expect the unexpected.
Oliver Stark’s comment may have crushed a popular theory, but it also opened the door to new possibilities. And honestly? That’s what great TV does — it keeps us guessing, keeps us talking, and keeps us coming back.
