9-1-1 showrunner and co-creator Tim Minear gives a sneak peek into the big story between Buck and Eddie kicking off season 9. The show returns to ABC on Thursday, October 9 at 8 PM ET, a bit later than its usual September premiere—giving the series an opportunity to embrace a spooky vibe.
Following the death of Captain Bobby Nash and Peter Krause’s exit, 9-1-1 faces a challenging transition, with many storylines put on hold, including major developments for fan-favorite duo Buddie (Buck and Eddie).
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Minear teased the upcoming Día de los Muertos storyline featuring Buck (Oliver Stark) and Eddie (Ryan Guzman). Surprisingly, despite Eddie’s previous skepticism, Minear hints at a possible “spiritual awakening” for his character.
“It really opened up some great possibilities for Eddie, and I’m really excited about it. Buck is quick to believe in things, but now Eddie might be starting to believe as well. He’s always kind of dismissed those things and distanced himself from his faith, but I think a spiritual awakening could be coming for Eddie.”
What Buck & Eddie’s Dynamic Could Mean for 9-1-1 Season 9
Buck (Oliver Stark) and Eddie (Ryan Guzman) at Bobby’s funeral in 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 16.
According to showrunner Tim Minear, Buck has always been the more open-minded when it comes to the supernatural. This was clear in Season 8 when Buck believed he was cursed and even developed visible blemishes on his face, while Eddie took a more skeptical approach and laughed it off. For the upcoming Halloween-themed storyline, it looks like Eddie might start to share Buck’s openness, evening out their beliefs.
Minear, who co-created 9-1-1 with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, now has a chance to explore the unresolved tension between these two firefighters. Season 8 strongly hinted at something deeper between Buck and Eddie, with characters like Buck’s sister Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) suggesting there’s more beneath the surface of their friendship.
That potential storyline remains open. Buck has moved out of Eddie’s apartment to find his own space, while Eddie returned to the 118 station at the last moment. The way Season 8 concluded leaves the door wide open for the series to take their relationship in any direction as it looks to refresh and evolve.
Our Take on Buck & Eddie in Season 9
With the 9-1-1 franchise expanding—launching 9-1-1: Nashville on the very same night as the original’s return—the show has a lot on its plate. One key element they’ll want to keep alive is the playful, compelling dynamic between Buck and Eddie, affectionately known as Buddie. But with the loss of a major character like Bobby Nash, it remains to be seen how that chemistry will hold up.
After nearly ten years on air, 9-1-1 could really use a fresh, surprising direction for its most popular duo to keep fans engaged and invested in their story.
