9-1-1’s Ryan Guzman Teases Eddie’s Evolution in Season 9
9-1-1 star Ryan Guzman is grieving the loss of Captain Bobby Nash, just like the rest of the cast — but he initially thought his character, Eddie, would be the one to bid farewell.
“I received the call [about Bobby’s death] from [our showrunner] Tim [Minear] when I hadn’t been on set for about a month,” Guzman, 37, shared exclusively with Us Weekly just before the season 9 finale. “I hadn’t appeared in two episodes, so I assumed the call was about me! I thought I was getting cut from the show.”
In season 8, Guzman’s character Eddie spends much of his time in El Paso, Texas, working to mend his relationship with his son, Christopher (Gavin McHugh), who had moved in with his grandparents after their bond weakened in season 7. Although they’ve since reunited, Eddie is absent when Bobby (Peter Krause) contracts a lethal virus that eventually leads to his demise.
Bobby’s funeral marks Eddie’s return to L.A., where he remains by the time the penultimate episode airs. While it’s uncertain if he’ll stay permanently in the City of Angels, Guzman hinted that L.A. is where Eddie really “belongs.”
In this interview, Guzman discusses what fans can expect from the 9-1-1 season 8 finale, reflects on the loss of his co-star Krause, and more:
Us Weekly: Ryan, we’re thrilled to have you here after such a wild season. It’s been intense and emotional, especially with the aftermath of a cherished character’s departure. What was your response when you learned Peter was leaving?
Ryan Guzman: I was completely shocked. You think of the core cast, and it’s hard to imagine any of them leaving. If one goes, we all should, right? It was surprising and strange to know someone would exit the show while still working together. Each time I saw him, I would hug him, saying, “We’ll still hang out! We’re still friends!”
Us: Does that ever make you anxious as an actor? If he can go…
RG: Honestly, I got that call from Tim after not working for a month. I hadn’t been in two episodes, so I thought it was about me!
Us: Oh, really?
RG: I thought I was on the chopping block. But yes, you do always have those concerns. With this situation, you have to stay on your toes.
Us: Absolutely. Many fans were disappointed that Eddie wasn’t there during Bobby’s death.
RG: Mm-hmm.
Us: What was your take on that? Was anything cut that we didn’t witness? It seems fans wanted a bit more from you.
Ryan: We did have a longer reaction that was edited down for this [episode 17].
Us: Oh, I see.
Ryan: While I was off for those two episodes, I was spending time with my kids. That was my focus; I didn’t even realize that major episodes were being filmed.
Us: We have this monumental [season 8] finale approaching. It appears the 118 is in a bind. What can you share about the episode and how it might set the stage for what’s next?
RG: Now we’re navigating a new reality without Bobby, so there’s no captain. You can sense something is amiss, and we’re trying to find out how to fill that gap in the upcoming episode.
Us: Will we learn who the new captain might be going forward?
RG: I believe we’ll gain some insight into where the team stands, but I can’t confirm if a new captain will be named yet.
Us: When he was in Texas, it seemed like there was a noticeable shift in his wardrobe and demeanor. Was that intentional? Did it change when he returned to L.A.?
RG: Definitely. I drew from my own experiences — when I return to Sacramento, I tend to dress differently than I do in L.A. It embodies that hometown vibe, allowing you to relax a bit. As much as Eddie cherishes his Texas roots, I feel that L.A. is where he truly fits in.
Us: How will Bobby’s death impact Eddie? Is it fair to say he’s in a dark place?
RG: He could be. There’s a chance he might revert to his old ways. However, he’s grown so much over the past seven seasons that we might be on the brink of a new Eddie who can handle more.
Us: Does that excite you as an actor?
RG: It does. You always want to keep things fresh.
Us: Of all the arcs Eddie has experienced, which has been your favorite or most challenging?
RG: This past season is probably my favorite, featuring everything from the mustache to the humorous moments, and even the half-naked dancing! [laughs] It’s been an exceptionally fun season.
Us: Was there anything you felt hesitant about doing?
RG: Honestly, the dancing scene made me think, “Uh, I’m going to be in my underwear?! Alright, we’ll just roll with it.”
Us: If you had to summarize this finale in just a couple of words, what would they be?
RG: United.
Us: United, great! Was it strange filming this without Peter? Oliver [Stark] mentioned you shot his death scene first before returning to an earlier episode, creating a bit of confusion with the timeline.
RG: It was very strange. I still occasionally text Peter when I miss him… It definitely feels different. However, we do have Brian, who plays the other captain, and he’s a delight to work with, both in and out of character.
Us: Despite the heavy themes of the recent episodes, many fans noted that Eddie and Chris ended the last episode happily on Buck’s couch. Are you aware of the Couch Theory?
RG: No!
Us: There’s a theory that couches hold a deeper significance between Buck and Eddie, considering their relationship…
RG: Oh! This has piqued my curiosity. [laughs]
Us: You’ll have to check out the fan theories. However, fans are curious if you think they should explore that relationship further.
RG: I think their dynamic is ideal as it is. It presents a beautiful opportunity. Many want to see development, but the intriguing part is that we portray a heterosexual man and a homosexual man without it affecting their bond. They are brothers who love and support each other, which is something we need more of in the world.
Us: Are you content with Eddie remaining single? Would you like to see him pursue a relationship in the future?
RG: He’s ready for the next chapter. So, when the time is right, yes—I think it should unfold next season.
Us: What are you most excited about for season 9 and how Eddie can evolve? If you were writing the show, what changes would you make for Eddie?
RG: Well, characters can’t just be happy all the time—that wouldn’t make for engaging storytelling. So, we need to throw Eddie into some challenges. Maybe he should find a relationship that’s life-altering and throws him for a loop. I’m just hesitant to lose any more cast members!
Us: No, please, let’s avoid that.
RG: Right. I’m open to anything, and Tim loves throwing curveballs all the time.
Us: What do you hope fans take away from this finale? Oliver mentioned that you’ll likely still be going through tissues. Do you share his sentiment that it will continue to tug at the heartstrings?
RG: For sure.
Us: Perhaps lessen the emotional toll we’ve experienced in previous episodes?
RG: Exactly, we should feel a bit warmer after this one. I noticed some comments online about the last episode, suggesting, “Oh, the 118 feels like it’s back.” You can see all the characters interacting together again. I believe we’ll see more of that.
9-1-1 airs on ABC Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.
