9-1-1 Star Kenneth Choi Talks Chimney's Future in Season 9

9-1-1 star Kenneth Choi opens up about his character's future on the series.

Speaking to TV Insider, Choi responded to the question of whether his character, Howard "Chimney" Han, might be ready to step into the role of Captain in the upcoming ninth season of 9-1-1. "No. Chimney’s not ready for any type of dutiful responsibilities whatsoever. Never," Choi replied.

9-1-1 had plenty of major shakeups in its eighth season, not the least of which was the shocking death of Peter Krause's Captain Bobby Nash in the season's fifteenth episode, "Lab Rats." In the episode, Nash sacrifices his own life in order to save the rest of his team from a lethal, fast-moving virus. The loss of Nash hit the series' main cast of characters about as hard as they could imagine, and made some major waves with the stars of the show, as well.

Shortly after the release of the episode, 9-1-1 star Angela Bassett discussed what things were like behind the scenes leading up to Krause's abrupt exit from the series. When asked if she had any idea that Nash would be getting killed off in "Lab Rats," Bassett replied, "Absolute note. Not an inkling, not a word, not birdies, nothing." Bassett went on to recall the pace on set leading up to the end of the season, during which actors might receive the script for a new episode only the day before filming. Bassett also touched on the idea that, at the time she received the script, it was clear that a main character would lose their life, though there was no indication of who that might be until the last possible moment.

What's Next for 9-1-1?

As 9-1-1 heads into its ninth season, the series' latest spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville, is getting ready to hit the airwaves later this year. Led by Chris O'Donnell in the role of veteran firefighter Captain Don Sharpe, 9-1-1: Nashville will add a whole new kind of country charm to the franchise as a whole.

The series will also feature appearances from Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Michael Provost, Jessica Capshaw, Hailey Kilgore, Juani Feliz, Hunter McVey, and the legendary LeAnn Rimes. Even more exciting, former 9-1-1: Lone Star star Rob Lowe recently joked about potentially returning to the franchise in 9-1-1: Nashville, which he brother Chad Lowe serves as executive producer and director of. "I'm just waiting for my phone to ring. I mean, you know, I hired him on Lone Star. I think turnabout is fair play."

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