“Her Connection to That Firehouse Will Be Just As Deep”: ‘9-1-1’ Showrunner Teases How Bobby’s Death Will Impact Athena’s Arc in Season 9

We’re just here to check in on our 9-1-1 family out there, who are undoubtedly and understandably still reeling from the shocking loss of Peter Krause’s Bobby Nash. It’s been a few weeks, but it will take much longer than that before our wounds show any sign of healing. With just a few episodes left in the eighth season, audiences are on edge as we wait for the other shoe to drop thanks to the neverending paranoia that we now live in courtesy of the creative team. But, there’s one character who is safe from whatever may befall the 118 over the next weeks, as showrunner Tim Minear made it crystal clear that Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant is here to stay.

During a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Minear was asked about the possibility that the iconic actress might take her leave from the series considering her character has been faced with another heartbreaking and life-changing death. But there doesn’t seem to be a need to fret because, according to Minear, Athena will only further continue to solidify herself as a prominent piece of foundation at the 118, revealing,

“Her role in the 9-1-1 family is the subject of the next couple of episodes in some ways, but I have plans for season 9 that, rest assured, her connection to that firehouse will be just as deep and just as personal as it was when Bobby was the captain of it. That’s all I really can say about that.”

Last Week’s Final Adieu To Bobby Nash

Following the episode “Lab Rats,” during which Krause’s Bobby Nash gave his life to save the other members of his team, all the characters involved in 9-1-1 were seen grieving in their own ways during last week’s “The Last Alarm”. It was in this episode that the beloved captain was laid to rest and his loved ones were faced with the reality that he wouldn’t be coming back. The storyline tied itself to an episode in an earlier season, giving a full-circle moment to the character’s legacy, and leaving not one dry eye among audiences watching from home.

As teased by Minear, the final two installments of the procedural’s eighth season will force the 118 to put their heavy emotions aside for a little while as they jump into action to do what they do best — save lives.