Angela Bassett Reacts to Shocking Twist in 9-1-1: The Unforgettable Death That Left Her Speechless
Warning: This story contains spoilers for the latest episode of 9-1-1.
The cast of 9-1-1 was left in disbelief upon learning that one of their central characters was being written off the series, particularly Angela Bassett.
Peter Krause’s character, Bobby Nash, who has been a part of all eight seasons, made the ultimate sacrifice in the episode that aired on April 17. He used the last antidote for the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever to save Chimney (Kenneth Choi), ultimately sacrificing his own life in the process.
Krause described this choice as “more than a bold creative choice on a bold show.” He viewed it as a meaningful way to honor the first responders that the series portrays. “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,” Krause, 59, said.
For Bassett, who portrays Sgt. Athena Grant-Nash, Bobby’s demise was “inconceivable.”
She expressed her shock, saying, “It was incredulous to me that it was Bobby; it was just very surprising. Sometimes, you’re just struck dumb — and that’s one of those moments, because their bond has been so wonderful and so strong these past four or five years. I didn’t see that coming. None of us saw that coming.”
Upon seeing Krause on set for the first time after learning of Bobby’s fate, Bassett recalled how they “just looked at each other.”
“You know when your eyes just lock, and you don’t know what to say? And you just bear hug each other, and then you shake your head. Bless his heart — he had to comfort all of us,” she shared. “He truly had to comfort all of us while he’s going through his own processing in the moment.”
In a heartfelt statement, Krause expressed his affection for Bassett, saying, “I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands. We parted ways too soon.”
Tim Minear, the show’s co-creator and showrunner, mentioned that the entire cast was “shocked” by Bobby’s fate.
“Peter and I had been discussing it for probably three weeks to a month before I let anyone else know. I needed to clear it with the network and the studio, and pitch them the entire story. Everyone was very nervous,” Minear explained.
Minear elaborated that each call he made to inform the cast was “a little bit different, and none of them were quick because practically nobody believed me. They all thought I was punking them.”
New episodes of 9-1-1 air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
