Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman Analyze Buck and Eddie’s Moments in 9-1-1

Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman reflect with Us on some of their unforgettable 9-1-1 moments.

Stark, 33, and Guzman, 37, who portray Evan “Buck” Buckley and Eddie Diaz respectively, have captured the hearts of fans throughout the show’s eight seasons, largely due to their dynamic on-screen friendship (and occasional romantic hints). It’s no surprise that many of their most memorable scenes feature the two of them, whether they’re battling foes or saving each other’s lives.

However, filming those scenes isn’t always as straightforward as it appears. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Stark admitted that the season 4 episode “Suspicion,” where Eddie is shot, posed unique challenges—not in the way one might assume.

“It wasn’t particularly heavy emotionally because we knew he was going to survive, right? It was tough because I had to keep throwing him over my shoulder to get him into the fire truck,” Stark shared with a laugh. “Most people ask if your back hurts during scenes like that. But here’s the truth: Between every take, Ryan was munching on chocolate cake! And I’m like, ‘Why are you making this harder for me?!’”

Here, the two look back at some of their standout moments for Buck, Eddie, and their bond affectionately dubbed Buddie:

Season 3, Episode 9: Buck Asks Eddie to Go for the Title

Oliver Stark: Ah, yes, this kitchen scene had a lot of tension. It built up to a point where you’re like, “What’s going to happen here? Are they going to fight?” Then it smashes to them playing video games. It was great to see how far we could take it and then undercut it with the games. Earlier in that episode, when we talked about fighting, I remember saying to him, “I thought you were going to hit me.” And he retorted with something like, “Bet I can beat you up.” It escalated from there until it ended with video games with Chris (Gavin McHugh). I love how the show balances its tones so well; it can feel intense while never taking itself too seriously for long. This scene is a perfect example of that.

Season 4, Episode 4: Buck Yells at His Parents to Love Him ‘Anyway’

OS: This scene was highly emotional and cathartic. If you’ve ever wanted to scream at your parents, this was a major moment for me, preceding the “Buck Begins” episode that looks into his childhood. We approached it from various angles, making it heat up significantly. One line I really loved is when Buck mentions walking through fire every day because of his upbringing. We later find out he was essentially born to be a donor for his brother, who had leukemia, giving context to his childhood struggles. I remember Kenny [Choi] came to me after my take, encouraging me to shout just as loud during Dee [Wallace]’s coverage since she would jump back when I got loud. Working with such talented actors made it enjoyable, and I feel proud of how it turned out.

Season 4, Episode 13: Eddie Gets Shot

OS: The day Eddie gets shot wasn’t very heavy emotionally since we knew he would survive, but it was challenging for me to keep throwing him over my shoulder into the fire truck. Many people might ask, “Is it okay that your back doesn’t hurt?” But in reality, between takes, Ryan was eating chocolate cake, making it harder for me! I found it comical and frustrating! My main concern was the timing of the blood splatter when he gets shot. Since it’s a surprise for Buck, I had to convince myself to react naturally without being prepared for it. Thankfully, the take we got worked perfectly, and we had a blast filming that episode.

Ryan Guzman: Honestly, I was thinking about my cousin, who served multiple tours in war. He told me how sometimes people just keep going even after getting shot, which I found graphic but grounding for the scene. A shout-out to my cousin and all those who serve.

Season 5, Episode 13: Eddie Breaks Down to Buck

RG: All I could think was that I was drained. I had been crying through all my takes and Oliver’s. By the end of the night, my eyes were puffy; it was cathartic and felt like a release after holding onto those feelings.

Season 7, Episode 4: Buck Plays Jealous Basketball

OS: It was a blast for about an hour and a half, but six hours later, my knees ached and I was out of breath. We had a beautiful location for the basketball court right by the ocean, and it felt refreshing to be somewhere different. None of us were particularly skilled at basketball, which contributed to the fun. The day was a choreographed dance of sorts, not just a casual pickup game, which turned out to be more rewarding than I initially thought. We managed to tell the story through the game, making it one of my favorite days on 9-1-1.

Season 8, Episode 17: Eddie and Buck Fight in the Kitchen

OS: The latest Buck-Eddie fight was driven by grief and differing reactions to it. Eddie struggles with feeling absent during a death, while Buck grapples with being present. The way this scene was shot added a raw quality to the emotions involved, with the handheld camera giving a unique feel. I had built such trust with Ryan and our cast over the years, allowing us the freedom to explore the scene naturally. I love how it all came together.

Us Weekly: So, you were unaware that was going to happen?

OS: Absolutely, I was like, “Get off me.”

Us: Did you and Ryan discuss it beforehand, or did you just dive in?

OS: No, we don’t really rehearse beforehand. We work it out on the day with the director and camera crew, and everyone contributes their ideas. The best idea in the room typically wins, merging various concepts into a cohesive scene. Over the years, we’ve become quicker and more in sync with each other in this process.

RG: The scene had incredible depth, thanks to [showrunner] Tim [Minear]. Oliver’s right; we rehearsed it once, but I played it too bland initially. Then the director suggested, “Do you want to hit him?” which led to me creatively raising the intensity of the scene.