ABC’s “9-1-1” broke long-running TV procedural precedent this week by killing off not just a main character, but the show’s leading male actor: Captain Bobby Nash, played by “Six Feet Under” and “Parenthood” alum Peter Krause.
Rumors have been swirling about Krause’s potential exit for the past few weeks following images surfacing across social media of the “9-1-1” crew shooting a large-scale funeral scene in downtown Los Angeles (in addition to the title of the season’s next episode, “The Last Alarm”). After eight seasons and nine years playing captain of LAFD’s Station 118, Krause understands the impact Bobby’s death will have on viewers who were already suspicious his time was up. “I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss,” Krause said in a statement on Thursday. “That said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this. First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at ‘9-1-1’ salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe. Our show is incredibly difficult to make at times with long hours, challenging stunts and elaborate disasters. We couldn’t do it without each other.”
Krause had starred on “9-1-1” since the Ryan Murphy-produced series debuted eight seasons ago, originally on Fox. In Thursday’s episode of “9-1-1,” “Lab Rats,” Bobby met his end as heroically as the character lived — when he sacrificed his chance to be saved from a deadly virus by giving the only vial of vaccine available to his crew member Chimney (played by Kenneth Choi). The choice Bobby makes was revealed to both the “9-1-1” audience and the character’s wife, LAPD sergeant Athena Grant-Nash (Angela Bassett), in the final moments of the episode. Speaking via a protective barrier, Bobby struggled through coughs of blood to give an emotional goodbye speech to Athena. Then he walked over to a table, kneeled down and claspsed his hands in prayer before his body gave out from the infection.
The episode ended with Athena, Chimney, Buck (Oliver Stark), Hen (Aisha Hinds), Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and the rest of the 118 all in mourning over the sudden turn of events. As medics cart out Bobby’s zipped up body bag, his captain’s helmet was left behind. The image is sure to be a hard pill to swallow for fans of “9-1-1,” as no major cast member has left the series since Connie Britton way back at the end of Season 1 (and that exit was not via character death). Nonetheless, “9-1-1” showrunner Tim Minear said he needed the outcome to be “unambiguous.”
“I had to convince everybody about this,” Minear told Variety. “The network was not like, ‘Yeah, get rid of him, it’ll save us money.’ It was nothing like that. I had to pitch this at the highest levels and just walk through the whole story and try to infect them — funny choice of words, given the storyline — because, as I pitched it, you could understand, as a writer, how suddenly the whole world felt more alive. It felt more real because this thing had happened.” The final scene between Bobby and Athena was “shot a couple of different ways,” Bassett said. “Different scenarios and endings, but one thing was always clear: the tie between the two of them, the bond between the two of them,” she added. “And when we looked into each other’s eyes, I think we were there emotionally, and that told the story. And I think that probably told the story when it reached editing, too. That this is the emotion, right here in this moment between the two of them.” Bassett, who has starred with Krause “9-1-1” from the start (their characters have been in an on-screen romantic relationship since Season 2), said Krause was “such a trouper” throughout the making of the episode. “He made you feel as okay with it as he could, but it was difficult for both of us,” she said. “And then I just had a sense of humor about, ‘Well, I’ve died twice. I’ve had a couple of characters who died a horrible death, so I know how you feel. It’s going to be alright.’ Well, we’re going to be alright, we’ll see how the audience feels.”
With three episodes left in Season 8 and a Season 9 renewal already secured, Bassett said she has “not dared” to ask Minear about what comes next: “But part of me can’t help but think that that means more is going to land on Athena’s shoulders.” Bassett added that she’s pretty sure Athena is “probably done” with relationships.
“It was just surprising, very surprising, because we just didn’t see this coming,” Bassett said. “It’s been eight years of us being superheroes of sorts, and making it through incredibly dangerous scenarios — but we all make it through. So when we read this, when I read the script, it was very puzzling. And then I got an opportunity to talk to Tim and to ask why, and is he sure, and why are we going down this road, because Athena and Bobby were so happy together and such a team together? It was sad.” See Krause’s full statement about his exit from “9-1-1” below, followed by Variety‘s interview with Minear about Bobby’s death and how the show will move forward.
I would like to thank Dana Walden, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear for entrusting me with such a complex character over these nine years. It has been my honor to portray Captain Bobby Nash. In October 2017, through him, we began tackling topics such as grief, guilt, anger and addiction while exploring his relationship with a higher power, forgiveness and grace. On his path of healing, we watched him join and embrace both his new family at the firehouse and his new family with Athena Grant where he found love and acceptance. We also had plenty of fun along the way. It was a joy.
Humbled by working in step with our technical advisor, Chief Mike Bowman, and real firefighters, I wish to thank you all for helping me bring a sense of dignity and realism to the character in our larger-than-life emergency landscape. Your kind and complimentary words have meant the world to me. I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss. That said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this. First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at 9-1-1 salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe.
Our show is incredibly difficult to make at times with long hours, challenging stunts and elaborate disasters. We couldn’t do it without each other. I wish to thank everyone in every department and all those at ABC, 20th Television and FOX. We are a sprawling team. I will miss all my 9-1-1 family. Our incredible crew whose professional excellence is second to none. All the writers who keep pulling rabbits out of hats. All the directors tasked with the same. All the incredible guest cast over the years as well as Jennifer Love Hewitt and the cast in the call center. I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands. We parted ways too soon. Much love. Tim Minear and Brad Buecker, you’ve been my pillars and are two of the best in the business. I will miss you both.
Finally, I will miss my beloved and unruly children of the 118. Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Oliver Stark, Ryan Guzman and Anirudh Pisharody: this is a tough goodbye. Stay unruly, but be professional and get the job done. Misfit heroes need each other. That’s how we do it at our firehouse. Pass it along to the next new guy. This has been one wild adventure. I thank you all, with all my heart.
