Buckle up, my fellow first-responder fans, because ABC’s 9-1-1 is about to crank the emotional tension up to an 11—especially for Evan “Buck” Buckley.
In a recent reveal, showrunner Tim Minear teased that Buck will be “spinning like a top” once new episodes drop, and star Oliver Stark confirmed he was equally surprised by just how deeply the show plans to examine Buck’s complicated feelings for best friend (and firefighting partner-in-crime) Eddie Diaz.
As fans will recall, Season 7 first hinted that Buck’s devotion to Eddie wasn’t your run-of-the-mill bromance—especially when Eddie briefly considered moving to Texas to be closer to his son.
The prospect of losing his buddy-in-arms left Buck so rattled he might as well have been whacked with a baseball bat.
This season, the emotional stakes soar even higher, with 9-1-1 promising to tackle Buck’s responses in ways “more obvious” than ever before.
And while jealousy may not be the focus, the deep (and possibly deeper-than-friendship) bond between Buck and Eddie is definitely on the table.
According to Stark, the upcoming episodes put everyone at the firehouse under pressure, revealing new facets of the relationships we thought we already knew.
+Related: Oliver Stark: I Want to Keep Exploring Buck’s Bisexuality
And for a show that typically highlights tight-knit teamwork, exploring potential fault lines—and yes, maybe some romantic tension—could reveal new layers to both Buck and Eddie.
After all, one of 9-1-1’s biggest draws is how it masterfully balances explosive emergencies with heartfelt family and friendship drama.
What’s more, Stark hinted that the storyline’s intensity caught even him off guard, raising questions about how far the series might go in unpacking Buck’s swirling emotions.
Could heartbreak lie on the horizon—or might fans finally see a more open conversation between Buck and Eddie?
One thing’s for certain: There’s no shortage of tension brewing at Firehouse 118.
Tune in when 9-1-1 returns March 6 for the second half of Season 8.
Between an influx of brand-new rescues and the twisty personal stories that have made the show such a hit, Buck’s inner turmoil over Eddie’s next steps is sure to be the hot topic.
Whether you’re rooting for them as best buds or hoping to see them lean a little closer, the next few episodes promise to deliver plenty of emotional fireworks—and maybe even a deeper look at that infamous Buddie bond.
You might want to keep an extinguisher handy, because fans are definitely fired up for what’s next!
+Related: Stark: Attraction Spurred Buck’s ‘9-1-1’ Tension with Eddie