New 9-1-1 Season 9 Update Supports Bizarre Theory About Bobby's True Fate

The death of 9-1-1’s fallen captain may be more than it appears, and the franchise’s new spinoff could corroborate one of the wildest fan theories. Losing Peter Krause’s Bobby Nash was undoubtedly 9-1-1’s most tragic death, as it was implemented as a twist ending with little-to-no foreshadowing or narrative build-up. However, Bobby’s 9-1-1 storyline may not be over quite yet.

While the upcoming 9-1-1: Nashville has outlandish fan theories of its own, the Tennessee-based spinoff may provide extra information regarding Bobby’s death— or, as some believe, turn 9-1-1 season 8’s biggest twist completely on its head. It’s unclear how 9-1-1: Nashville’s Station 113 fits into the larger picture, but the new spinoff could change everything for Bobby Nash’s grieving fans.

Bobby Is Alive In Nashville Theory Explained

When Bobby suddenly succumbed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) during 9-1-1 season 8’s two-part Contagion event, it immediately seemed too awful to be true. Bobby marked a turning point for the series, as no main character had ever been killed in 9-1-1’s first eight seasons, despite many brushes with death. While some fans mourned Bobby’s death, others began desperately speculating.

Months after season 8 ended, there is still a group who believes Bobby is alive in a government lab in 9-1-1. The theory suggests Bobby was taken to be experimented on because of the CCHF super-strain he contracted, his magic blood that was revealed in season 1, and an easily-missed detail that suggested the government was hoarding Bobby’s supposedly-dead remains.

With Bobby’s “body” buried in Minnesota and LAFD Station 118 preparing to move on, fans have compounded original theories with the impending spinoff. To tie in the franchise’s newest title, the modified theory proposes Bobby is being held captive in a top-secret lab in Nashville, waiting to be rescued and returned to LA— and, by extension, 9-1-1’s season 9 cast.

Oliver Stark Teases A Potential 9-1-1 & Nashville Cameo

Although the theory seems purely speculative, another mainstay of the 9-1-1 cast— Oliver Stark (Evan “Buck” Buckley)— could add fuel to the fire. In the comment section of Oliver Stark’s recent Instagram post, the actor interacted with Michael Provost (Ryan) and Jessica Capshaw (Blythe). Evidently, dropping hints with two 9-1-1: Nashville cast members was only the beginning.

In an Instagram story, Stark posted a video of himself running “6 Nashville Miles for breakfast,” with Tennessee’s iconic city clearly in the background. Combined with his cryptic comments, Oliver Stark seemingly confirms 9-1-1: Nashville's first crossover, which would notably be a much quicker crossover compared to the franchise’s first spinoff.

Station 118 firefighters traveled to Texas in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 2, but it was well after the new characters had been established. If Buck is truly appearing so early on in 9-1-1: Nashville, it seems plausible that one of the spinoff’s first storylines will connect to the original series— and perhaps give Buck a life-changing souvenir to bring home.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.