In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Tim Minear gave a few reasons for Natalia’s absence. In addition to the canonical explanation, Minear noted that the Season 7 premiere only “had so much real estate,” and Natalia didn’t make the cut.
Plenty of narrative possibilities opened with Natalie’s departure. Buck begins his tenure on ABC with a fresh romantic slate and plenty of opportunities to find a new beau. Later, his crowd-pleasing revelations with Tommy Kinard proved that 9-1-1’s writers made the right choice. But even before that, Natalie wasn’t exactly popular. Her sudden appearance threw many fans for a loop. Some considered her an extraneous addition. A considerable contingent of 9-1-1’s followers were upset that Natalia blocked Buck’s route to a canonical fling with Eddie. So, as harsh as it sounds, Natalia’s departure was met with a round of applause. Like Eddie, many fans voiced their discomfort with her morbid obsession.
A New Face, A Divided Fandom
When a new character enters a long-running TV show, fans usually fall into two camps: love or loathe. And in the case of 9-1-1‘s Natalia Dollenmeyer, things tilted heavily toward the latter. Though introduced as a potential love interest and fresh face in a beloved ensemble cast, Natalia failed to win over most viewers. So what went wrong?
Let’s dive deep into the character of Natalia Dollenmeyer and why she ended up on the wrong side of fan favor.
Who is Natalia Dollenmeyer in 9-1-1?
The Role She Played
Natalia Dollenmeyer, introduced as a death doula, entered 9-1-1 in the back half of Season 7. Her character crossed paths with Evan “Buck” Buckley after a deeply emotional arc involving death, grief, and soul-searching.
A Potential Love Interest
Her chemistry with Buck was supposed to bring a sense of healing and new beginnings—but it didn’t land. In fact, it sparked some of the harshest online fan criticism the series had seen in years.
Why the Character’s Timing Didn’t Help
Coming Right After Abby & Taylor Drama
Fans had already endured the Abby Clark fallout and the messy Taylor Kelly storyline. By the time Natalia showed up, Buck stans were exhausted from emotionally unsatisfying pairings.
Too Soon for Another Romance
Buck had just become a sperm donor dad and undergone a near-death experience. Was this really the best time to force a new romance down fans’ throats?
Lack of Chemistry with Buck
The Chemistry Felt Flat
Despite solid acting, fans described the on-screen chemistry between Natalia and Buck as “nonexistent” or “awkward at best.” Their scenes felt more like therapy sessions than romantic connections.
Buck Deserves More… According to Fans
Many loyal viewers felt Natalia just wasn’t the right match for Buck, a fan-favorite character whose personal growth deserved a more compelling partner.
Fans Wanted Buck With Someone Else
The Buck & Eddie (Buddie) Factor
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—Buddie. Many fans ship Buck and Eddie, and Natalia felt like an obstacle to what they believe is a slow-burn love story.
No Room for Natalia
In a fandom already deeply invested in existing relationships and friendships, Natalia felt like an outsider that nobody invited.
