9-1-1: Nashville Could Undermine One of the Franchise’s Most Respected Characters Over a Simple Mistake

9-1-1: Nashville has a chance to continue a niche franchise trend, but one roadblock could prevent Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant from appearing. The 9-1-1: Nashville cast of characters includes many promising new additions to the first-responder universe, but Bassett’s police sergeant has arguably been the most important character in the franchise since her 2018 debut alongside the LA-based flagship series.

In addition to troubleshooting 9-1-1’s over-the-top emergencies, Athena Grant has been at the center of the overarching plot since the pilot episode. Alongside her husband, Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), Athena has been invaluable to 9-1-1’s found family, bringing characters together through heart-to-heart conversations and backyard barbecues. Following Bobby’s tragic death, however, the 9-1-1 universe needs Athena now more than ever.

Angela Bassett's Athena Has Appeared In Every 9-1-1 Universe Title

Sergeant Grant Is The One Connecting Piece

The importance of Athena’s character in 9-1-1 cannot be overstated, but she’s also branched out to the franchise’s first sequel and Ryan Murphy’s 2024 medical drama. 9-1-1: Lone Star premiered in 2020 as the franchise’s first spinoff, set in Texas and led by Rob Lowe as Captain Owen Strand. Meanwhile, Doctor Odyssey followed Joshua Jackson’s cruise ship doctor Max Bankman.

In 9-1-1: Lone Star season 3, episode 11, Athena Grant became the first original series character to crossover independently (following the season 2 episode where LAFD station 118 appeared to contain a wildfire). After Grace (Sierra McClain) and Carlos (Rafael L. Silva) spend the episode investigating a homicide, Athena apprehends the suspect in LA with the Texans on video call.

Similarly, Athena’s role in Doctor Odyssey’s crossover episode revolved around a case. After a suspect locks her in a room, Athena is stuck in the titular Odyssey. Captain Massey (Don Johnson) then asks for her help in protecting the ship’s vault from high-profile thieves. In the end, Athena takes down the burglary ring and overcomes her fear of cruise ships.

Of course, Athena is also a main character in the original series. Up until Bobby’s untimely demise in season 8, he and Athena were even one of the best couples in the 9-1-1 franchise. Aside from being 9-1-1’s main police officer, Athena is close to Hen Wilson (Aisha Hinds), Maddie Han (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark).

No Other 9-1-1 Franchise Can Break Athena's Record

Recent Cancelations Have Secured Her Top Spot

While Hen, Buck, and other LA firefighters were present during 9-1-1: Lone Star’s first crossover episode, Athena is the only 9-1-1 character to appear in Doctor Odyssey. Though the medical drama’s fate hung in limbo for months, Doctor Odyssey has been canceled by ABC following contract expiration. Rather than a traditional cancelation, Doctor Odyssey is on indefinite hiatus by default.

Even if Doctor Odyssey eventually returns with season 2, it’s not guaranteed the campy procedural would opt to cross paths with 9-1-1 again, even if it would involve other original characters. As such, regardless of what the future holds for Doctor Odyssey, Athena will likely remain the only franchise character to have appeared on 9-1-1, Lone Star, and Doctor Odyssey.

That much is set in stone for the Texas spinoff, thanks to 9-1-1: Lone Star ending in early 2025. Following the series finale, it’s still possible for one of the Texan characters to appear on the flagship series. Yet, due to Doctor Odyssey’s default cancelation, any character who crosses over still won’t be able to beat Athena’s record.

The best a franchise character can do is tie Athena's appearance record, which would require a character who crossed over in 9-1-1: Lone Star to appear on 9-1-1: Nashville without Athena also being there. Alternatively, a 9-1-1: Lone Star character could show up in the original series and the second spinoff, but that once again requires the absence of Athena.

Why It's Tricky To Stage Athena's Cameo In 9-1-1: Nashville

Her Past Appearances Included One Important Caveat

Nevertheless, it’s possible that Athena won’t appear in the first season of 9-1-1: Nashville— which, depending on the pilot season’s success, may be the only chance she has. The set of 9-1-1: Nashville is truly on location, but Athena traveling to Tennessee would require a strong narrative justification. Compared to her prior cameos, that may be too much to ask.

In both 9-1-1: Lone Star and Doctor Odyssey, Athena stayed in LA. In the Texas spinoff, Athena stayed on the West Coast and only interacted with characters via phone. Although she unintentionally boarded Doctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise ship, it originally docked in LA. Aside from an episode of 9-1-1 where she temporarily went to Florida, Athena never leaves California.

Furthermore, it wouldn’t make sense for Athena to appear on 9-1-1: Nashville following her character’s storyline in 9-1-1 season 8. In the overarching storyline, Athena just lost her husband and her dream home, leaving her in possibly the most vulnerable state she’s ever been in on the show. Consequently, Athena’s unresolved grief will prevent an easy crossover any time soon.

9-1-1: Nashville could theoretically pull the same trick as 9-1-1: Lone Star, but having Athena appear via video call would be more than repetitive; it would be boring. Everything about the Tennessee-based spinoff has promised excitement, intrigue, and a fresh take on the familiar format. Borrowing from 9-1-1: Lone Star— even if it resulted in Athena’s presence— would undercut that.

Is There Still A Way For Athena To Guest Star In 9-1-1: Nashville?

In The Campy Franchise, Anything Is Possible

Regardless of the many obstacles, there are still ways for 9-1-1: Nashville to pave the way for Athena to appear. Perhaps 9-1-1’s most tragic death is what enables Athena to leave California, whether on a cross-country road trip or a visit to her hometown. It’s even possible for Athena to inadvertently cross paths with the 9-1-1: Nashville first responders.

9-1-1: Nashville’s Station 113 may cut off the road because of a major emergency, leaving Athena to try and help as a simple passerby. Alternatively, Athena could come across a criminal and need to earn local law enforcement’s cooperation to bring them to justice. Regardless of how she gets there, it’s only natural for Athena to become 9-1-1: Nashville’s saving grace.

Of course, the opposite is just as plausible. Similar to how 9-1-1: Lone Star got station 118 down South, the Nashville first responders could come fight a Californian wildfire. Yet, it’s still more likely that a character or two from the original series will appear on 9-1-1: Nashville instead, in order to promote the new series.

Given that Angela Bassett is already involved in 9-1-1: Nashville on the production side of things, it’s likely just a matter of time before Athena Grant visits Music City. If she doesn’t come alone, however, Bassett can take comfort in knowing that nobody will appear on as many 9-1-1 universe titles as she has.