Oliver Stark Gives Hints About Buck’s Future Following Season 9 Finale

Oliver Stark was initially skeptical about the significant twist at the end of his character Evan “Buck” Buckley’s storyline in the 9-1-1 season 9 finale.

Warning: Spoilers for the 9-1-1 season 9 finale ahead.

In the last moments of the Thursday, May 7 episode titled “Hearts and Flowers,” it was disclosed that Buck had signed legal documents to become the guardian of 4-year-old Theo, whose parents, both of whom had chosen Buck as a sperm donor, tragically passed away in an accident.

“I felt quite apprehensive,” Stark, 34, shared during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “[Our showrunner] Tim [Minear] called me with this news, and I responded, ‘That’s a pretty significant shift. I mean, that’s huge. This doesn’t mean that all my scenes will revolve around this, right?’”

Stark mentioned that Minear promptly addressed his concerns about what season 10 would entail for Buck, highlighting that Buck’s new role as a parent would naturally connect him to other characters, including his best friend and single dad, Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman).

After working with the young twins who portray Theo, Lincoln and Theodore Sykes, Stark quickly warmed up to the idea of Buck stepping into fatherhood, stating that they “completely” changed his perspective.

“I adore working with them,” Stark said with enthusiasm. “I can’t express how much joy they bring. They truly make the experience enjoyable. It’s made me really excited about the upcoming storyline.”

Regarding further changes in Buck’s life, Stark anticipates that the character will face “more responsibility” and will need to lean on those around him, particularly Eddie, who is a father to teenager Christopher (Gavin McHugh).

Stark believes Buck will discover more about himself through Theo, who has already shown traits similar to those of the firefighter.

“Children often reflect who we are,” he explained, acknowledging that raising a child requires collective effort. “I don’t think it will be easy. We’ll have to explore ‘Why is Buck the one stepping up? Who else is involved in Theo’s life?’ There’s a lot to unpack, and I’m eager to see how Buck navigates these challenges.”

Despite the hurdles, Stark believes Buck is prepared for this journey after a season of considerable “growth.”

“I remember the episode where [Buck] struggled with feeling older and how to cope with that. By the end of the episode, he accepted that he’s older and that he’s changed,” Stark elaborated. “Moments like these throughout the season have contributed to his growth. I think that’s why he’s ready to take on this new role for Theo.”

For those concerned that Buck’s new and unforeseen role as a single dad could lead to a relapse, especially after he grappled with opioid dependency earlier in season 9, Stark doesn’t foresee this being a major issue anymore.

“I believe his struggles with pills were tied to his underlying pain. A significant aspect of that storyline showcased how quickly these issues can develop, and how, with the right support, one can overcome them,” Stark articulated. “While there will always be challenges to avoid, I don’t think this is going to resurface as a major problem for Buck moving forward.”

Buck’s history with trauma and addiction might be behind him for now, but it’s a storyline that Stark takes immense pride in and recalls fondly.

“I was thrilled about it. In the world of 9-1-1, things often unfold unexpectedly,” Stark noted, mentioning he had no idea Buck would develop a pill dependency, even while filming a recent road trip scene with Guzman just episodes earlier.

“I didn’t know the outcome,” he admitted. “So I take it one episode at a time, and I’ve been lucky that Tim has provided me with significant storylines, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”

Another highlight from the season? The road trip adventure with Guzman, which Stark found to be a refreshing shift from the usual format of 9-1-1.

“I loved that road trip episode; it was so unique,” Stark enthused. “It was enjoyable to explore different aesthetics and pacing for the show. I think it all came together beautifully. We are all very proud of that episode.”

9-1-1 is currently available for streaming on Hulu.