Chris O’Donnell says his new role on 9-1-1: Nashville took on unexpected weight after wildfires ravaged his Pacific Palisades community earlier this year.
Though his home survived, much of the neighborhood was lost—an experience that reshaped how he viewed first responders. “It puts everything into perspective,” O’Donnell explains. “The people out there risking their lives deserve nothing but gratitude.”
Stepping into the role of firefighter Don Hart shortly afterward felt almost fated. Training with real firefighters gave him new respect for their physical and mental demands. “There’s so much equipment, knowledge, and pressure—it’s incredible,” he says.
Leaving Los Angeles to film in Nashville also offered a sense of relief. For O’Donnell, the project represented both a fresh start and a heartfelt acknowledgment of real-life heroes.