Buck and Maddie’s sibling bond has been a cornerstone of 9-1-1, but at the start of season 4, a third Buckley child was revealed: Daniel. Jennifer Love Hewitt joined the show in season 2 as Maddie, reuniting with Oliver Stark’s Buck. Their reconnection created some of the series’ most heartwarming moments, with the two becoming each other’s closest confidants and best friends. True to sibling dynamics, their relationship has also seen rough patches—ranging from petty disagreements about personal matters to moments of deep worry during serious emergencies.
Daniel Died Before 9-1-1: The Tragic Secret of Buck & Maddie’s Brother
Buck and Maddie’s sibling bond is central to 9-1-1, but fans were surprised to learn about a third Buckley child: Daniel. Introduced through a shocking revelation in season 4, Daniel was born a year after Maddie and was diagnosed with childhood leukemia. In a heartbreaking turn, Buck was considered as a donor to save him, but the transplant ultimately failed, and Daniel died in 1993—long before Buck could even remember him.
The truth comes to light during a tense family dinner in season 4, when Maddie shows Buck a photo of their late brother. The revelation shakes Buck to his core, adding a deeper layer to his relationship with Maddie and shedding light on the emotional distance with their parents. Daniel’s story may have happened off-screen, but its impact resonates throughout the series, making Buck and Maddie’s connection even more poignant.
Why Maddie And The Buckley Parents Kept Daniel A Secret In 9-1-1
The death of Daniel left a lasting mark on the Buckley family, and it explains much of the tension in Buck’s childhood. Margaret and Phillip, consumed by grief, chose not to tell Buck about his brother. Their decision wasn’t malicious—it was an attempt to shield him from pain—but it came at a cost. Buck grew up feeling neglected and unloved, ultimately forming a close bond with Bobby Nash, who became the father figure he never had.
Maddie’s reasons were more complex. Traumatized by Daniel’s death herself, she wanted to protect Buck from the same heartbreak she had endured. She may have also been trying to bury her own painful memories, especially given the constant dangers she and Buck face in 9-1-1. Over time, however, Maddie recognizes that Buck deserves the truth. Eventually, she decides to tell him about Daniel, acknowledging that the honesty, though painful, is the only way to honor their family’s story.
Can Daniel Appear Again In 9-1-1?
Though Daniel Buckley died before the events of 9-1-1, he has appeared posthumously. In season 6, episode 11 (“In Another Life”), Buck hallucinates an adult Daniel during a coma dream, creating one of the show’s most emotional moments.
9-1-1 could also explore Daniel through Maddie’s memories with flashbacks or dream sequences. Even if he never appears again, Daniel’s impact on Buck, Maddie, and the series remains significant.
