
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Tim Minear gave a few reasons for Natalia’s absence. In addition to the canonical explanation, Minear noted that the Season 7 premiere only “had so much real estate,” and Natalia didn’t make the cut.
Plenty of narrative possibilities opened with Natalie’s departure. Buck begins his tenure on ABC with a fresh romantic slate and plenty of opportunities to find a new beau. Later, his crowd-pleasing revelations with Tommy Kinard proved that 9-1-1’s writers made the right choice. But even before that, Natalie wasn’t exactly popular. Her sudden appearance threw many fans for a loop. Some considered her an extraneous addition. A considerable contingent of 9-1-1’s followers were upset that Natalia blocked Buck’s route to a canonical fling with Eddie. So, as harsh as it sounds, Natalia’s departure was met with a round of applause. Like Eddie, many fans voiced their discomfort with her morbid obsession.
A New Face, A Divided Fandom
When a new character enters a long-running TV show, fans usually fall into two camps: love or loathe. And in the case of 9-1-1‘s Natalia Dollenmeyer, things tilted heavily toward the latter. Though introduced as a potential love interest and fresh face in a beloved ensemble cast, Natalia failed to win over most viewers. So what went wrong?
Let’s dive deep into the character of Natalia Dollenmeyer and why she ended up on the wrong side of fan favor.
Who is Natalia Dollenmeyer in 9-1-1?
The Role She Played
Natalia Dollenmeyer, introduced as a death doula, entered 9-1-1 in the back half of Season 7. Her character crossed paths with Evan “Buck” Buckley after a deeply emotional arc involving death, grief, and soul-searching.
A Potential Love Interest
Her chemistry with Buck was supposed to bring a sense of healing and new beginnings—but it didn’t land. In fact, it sparked some of the harshest online fan criticism the series had seen in years.
Why the Character’s Timing Didn’t Help
Coming Right After Abby & Taylor Drama
Fans had already endured the Abby Clark fallout and the messy Taylor Kelly storyline. By the time Natalia showed up, Buck stans were exhausted from emotionally unsatisfying pairings.
Too Soon for Another Romance
Buck had just become a sperm donor dad and undergone a near-death experience. Was this really the best time to force a new romance down fans’ throats?
Lack of Chemistry with Buck
The Chemistry Felt Flat
Despite solid acting, fans described the on-screen chemistry between Natalia and Buck as “nonexistent” or “awkward at best.” Their scenes felt more like therapy sessions than romantic connections.
Buck Deserves More… According to Fans
Many loyal viewers felt Natalia just wasn’t the right match for Buck, a fan-favorite character whose personal growth deserved a more compelling partner.
Fans Wanted Buck With Someone Else
The Buck & Eddie (Buddie) Factor
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—Buddie. Many fans ship Buck and Eddie, and Natalia felt like an obstacle to what they believe is a slow-burn love story.
No Room for Natalia
In a fandom already deeply invested in existing relationships and friendships, Natalia felt like an outsider that nobody invited.
Character Development Felt Rushed
Too Much, Too Fast
From her first appearance, Natalia was thrust into emotionally heavy storylines without much backstory or depth. She went from stranger to confidant in record time, and viewers noticed.
Where’s the Growth?
Unlike other characters on the show, Natalia didn’t get a slow buildup. Fans had no chance to bond with her, making it hard to care about her presence.
She Was Used as a Plot Device
Not a Fully Fleshed-Out Character
It felt like Natalia existed solely to push Buck forward emotionally, not as a three-dimensional character. That’s a big no-no in a show built on deep, layered people.
Disposable Vibes
The moment fans sensed she was temporary, they lost interest—and empathy.
Social Media Reactions Were Brutal
Reddit and Twitter Lit Up
Fans didn’t hold back. “Why is she here?” “Get her off my screen!” “This is so forced.” These were just a few comments repeated endlessly across threads and timelines.
The Memes Were Even Worse
Some memes even labeled Natalia as “the intern they forgot to write a script for.” Ouch.
Ratings Took a Dip Around Her Episodes
Coincidence? Maybe. But Still Telling.
While not solely her fault, episodes featuring Natalia saw slight dips in viewer numbers, further signaling that the fanbase was disconnected from her character.
Missed Opportunity: She Could’ve Been Great
The Concept Was Promising
A death doula? That’s unique and emotional. But instead of exploring that deeply, the show chose the fast-track romance route—and it didn’t work.
If They’d Just Slowed Down…
Had the writers given Natalia more depth and development, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.
Was It the Writing or the Acting?
Some Blame the Writers
Many believe the writers set Natalia up to fail by not fleshing her out properly or integrating her organically.
Some Blame the Miscast
Others argue the actress, while talented, just wasn’t the right fit for 9-1-1’s dynamic ensemble.
Buck Moved On Quickly—And So Did We
No Closure, No Impact
When Natalia faded from the storyline, most fans didn’t even blink. That says a lot about how emotionally disconnected they were.
She Was Forgettable
In a show where nearly every character leaves a mark, Natalia’s arc felt like a blip rather than a moment.
What This Tells Us About TV Fans Today
Loyalty to Legacy Characters Runs Deep
Fans invest years into characters like Buck, and they expect new additions to earn their place.
Surface-Level Additions Won’t Cut It
Today’s viewers want real, authentic, slow-burn character growth. Anything less feels lazy and undeserved.
What Not to Do When Writing a New Character
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Don’t rush romantic pairings.
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Don’t introduce without proper backstory.
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Don’t make a character a tool for another’s growth.
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Don’t ignore the fandom pulse.
What the Writers Could Learn Going Forward
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Take Your Time: Build new characters slowly and authentically.
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Respect Fan Attachment: Understand the dynamics viewers are already emotionally invested in.
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Make New Characters Stand Alone: They need to be compelling in their own right, not just accessories to others.
Conclusion: Natalia Wasn’t the Villain—But She Wasn’t the Hero Either
Natalia Dollenmeyer came into 9-1-1 with potential, but she left with little fanfare. The problem wasn’t just in her character—it was in how she was written, introduced, and positioned within the narrative. While she may not have been outright hated, she was widely unloved—and in TV fandoms, that’s sometimes even worse.