A look at ABC's "9-1-1" in review

June 2, 2024

"9-1-1" is an American drama television series that follows the lives of Los Angeles first responders, including police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and dispatchers. The show highlights how these emergency responders courageously confront life-or-death situations daily while also dealing with their own personal challenges. The show's narrative is centered around the high-stakes emergencies they handle and the personal dramas and relationships within the team.

The series was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear and produced by 20th Television Fox Television. The show stars Angela Bassett as Athena Grant-Nash, who is married to Bobby Nash, portrayed by Peter Krause.

Connie Britton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Guzman, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, and Rockmond Dunbar comprise the supporting cast.

The series first aired on Fox for six seasons, starting on January 3, 2018. After its sixth season, Fox canceled the show; however, it was picked up by ABC, and its seventh season premiered on March 14, 2024. The show has been renewed for an eighth season, continuing its dramatic storylines on the new network.

9-1-1 debuted with an impressive 10.75 million viewers in its first season and continued to draw millions weekly, building a loyal fanbase over its seven seasons. The show's success is a testament to its gripping storytelling and talented ensemble cast, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating each new episode.

The show received positive reviews for its intense action sequences and compelling storylines. Critics also praised its realistic portrayal of natural disasters, the honest, often traumatic depiction of first responder calls, and the interpersonal relationships between the characters. The actors' performances were also lauded, especially Angela Bassett, who negotiated a new deal in 2021 and earned $450,000 per episode. In addition, she also became an executive producer for the main show and its spin-off, "9-1-1: Lone Star." This contract established her as the highest-paid cast member on 9-1-1 and one of the highest-paid actresses of color in the history of network drama series.

In a 2022 interview with InStyle, she explained that she has never been motivated solely by money but is pleased to be paid fairly. "Everyone wants to keep the lights on, but I've never been motivated solely by money or fame. For me, it's always and only been for the joy of following my dreams".

In an interview with Essence in October 2022, Bassett discussed her experience as one of the highest-paid actresses of color on network television. She emphasized the importance of fair compensation, stating, "We all should be compensated fairly, and that was one of my mantras. I would say to myself, I want to work. I want to work consistently, and I want to be paid fairly, and that has happened."

The season 7 finale concluded on May 30 and saw Bobby's life in grave danger, sending shockwaves and evoking genuine fear among the viewers. Angela Bassett's captivating performance captured Athena's heart-wrenching struggle with grief, underscoring the pain and devastation. The upcoming eighth season is expected to be another game-changer, allowing for new storytelling potential for the ensemble cast.

9-1-1 airs on ABC at 8 pm EST and streams on Hulu.