Oliver Stark Rules Out 1 Fan-Favorite Character To Be Bobby's Replacement In 9-1-1 Season 9

“It’s a job that Buck probably sees himself one day hoping to do, but I don’t think he would feel comfortable wanting that position now. I think he looks at Hen and Chimney and he’s like, ‘Those are the people that I look up to.’ They’re every bit cut from the same cloth as Bobby was, and I think he’d have nothing but admiration and respect for Chimney in the role.”

What This Means For 9-1-1 Season 9

Howard Han's In The Spotlight

The 9-1-1 season 8 finale, which is directed by John J. Gray and written by Kristen Reidel & Molly Savard, features a rousing speech by Howard "Chimney" Han. This seems to rally everyone, even convincing Eddie (Ryan Guzman) to give up his plans to moving to Texas in the span of a few minutes.

Hen, for her part, is so moved that she accidentally slips up and refers to Howard as a captain as he's walking away. For what it's worth, considering that Bobby sacrificed his own life to save Chimney, it makes sense for him to step up and fill the void that the beloved 118 leader has left behind.

Heading into 9-1-1 season 9, it wouldn't be too surprising to see Howard in a leadership role. It's one that he's filled before, to an extent. But it also says a lot about which characters are not interested in the role. Hen says it would be difficult to balance her new responsibilities. Buck, for his part, says he's not ready — for now.

Our Take On 9-1-1's Endgame

Buck As Captain Could Be A Series Finale Surprise

Even though nothing is official, there are positive comments from executives at ABC that season 9 won't be the last. With the new 9-1-1: Nashville on the way, the long-running procedural has a bit of time to figure itself out.

Assuming that 9-1-1 still has several years in the pipeline, it means that the procedural has time to let Buck reach the next stage of his growth in the process. Perhaps the show's ending can be about him becoming 118's new chief.

He may want to be the main leader now, and he may not be ready for it. But in a few years, if Howard is ready to take a step back, and if Henrietta still doesn't want it, or wants to take a different path, 9-1-1 could be teasing Captain Buckley in the long run.

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