Angela Bassett's New TV Show Highlights 9-1-1's Glaring Athena Problem

While Sargeant Athena Grant is a force of nature in her own right during the various emergencies in ABC’s first responder drama, Bassett’s performance is limited by her character’s lack of professional development. In contrast, Zero Day is already highly anticipated as one of the most exciting shows coming to Netflix in 2025. Granted, Zero Day is headlined by Robert De Niro, but that doesn’t detract from the power position Bassett is deservedly portraying.

Angela Bassett Plays US President Evelyn Mitchell In Zero Day

Her Character Must Weather A Widespread Cyberattack

Bassett will team up with De Niro to combat the titular “Zero Day,” a cyberattack on the nation wherein the country itself is hacked, leading to train derailments, power outages, and full-blown hysteria on a national level. While De Niro will play former US President George Mullen, Bassett will pull rank as the current leader of the nation. Over the 6-episode miniseries, Angela Bassett's President Mitchell will navigate a political conspiracy and technology-based terrorism — a dramatically more serious responsibility than she’s had in her years on 9-1-1.

Her Career Has Stayed Stagnant Since Season 1

​​​​​Athena has continually engaged in crises well above her pay grade, like piloting an airplane for an emergency landing, saving a sinking cruise ship with her husband Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), and taking over a murder investigation well out of her jurisdiction while visiting her mother in Florida. Although she constantly puts her life on the line, Athena’s work in 9-1-1 is always thankless. While Bobby and the rest of the 118 received medals to commemorate their cruise ship rescue, Athena’s role was completely overlooked. Ultimately, the issue lies not in Athena’s actions but in her job title.

Why 9-1-1 Needs To Finally Give Athena The Recognition She Deserves

It's Been A Long Time Coming

Athena has often been the solution to conflicts in 9-1-1, but she herself rarely gets credit. Her stories have been sidelined for a while now, which is why Athena and Bobby still have an unresolved housing problem in 9-1-1 season 8. In the time it’s taken for the 118 to get a new captain, regain their old captain, entrap a corrupt congresswoman, and guest star on a “Hotshots” episode, Athena has had nothing change for her. She’s been involved in storylines, but her role has never wavered. To properly utilize Bassett’s unmatched talent, Athena needs something new.