Why a 9-1-1 Actor Broke Down Over a Co-Star’s Exit – And What Happened Next

9-1-1 did the unthinkable ahead of the Season 8 finale. One of the show’s most popular characters was killed off in what could be the biggest shocker of the series up to this point, and Kenneth Choi seemingly took the development harder than anyone. The hit TV series 9-1-1 has delivered more than its fair share of jaw-dropping moments. But behind the scenes? Things got even more emotional than you might expect. One actor on the show revealed they fought tooth and nail to keep a beloved co-star alive in the storyline — but the writers had other plans. Let’s dive deep into the emotional chaos, the behind-the-scenes tension, and the shocking twist that left both fans and cast members in tears.

In 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 15 (titled “Lab Rats”), Peter Krause’s Captain Bobby Nash tragically perished after serving as the team’s leader for the past eight seasons. Choi, known for playing Chimney on the show, opened up about the shocking death in an interview with Entertainment Weekly after the episode aired. He recalled how he was crying uncontrollably on the set, admitting that he wasn’t quite sure why the death of the fictional character felt so “devastating.” Initially, Choi was in denial that Krause was exiting the show, and as the actor shared, he continued to fight against showrunner Tim Minear with the decision, still hoping that the story could be changed — even well after the death scene had been filmed. “It was uncontrollable sobbing,” Choi explained. “I was laughing at myself saying, ‘I don’t know what is happening! I know this isn’t real! Why am I acting like this?’ But it was devastating to me.”

It was uncontrollable sobbing. He added, “Then I just kind of went into those stages of grief. Denial, mostly: This doesn’t make any sense. Why would you do that? You’re kind of killing off our father figure … And he explained creatively why he thought it was the right choice, and I fought him on it. And I continued to fight him on it. I fought him on it up until we kind of did the funeral stuff, because I was thinking: Maybe they’ll pull it back. Maybe they’ll change their minds. Maybe they’ll reverse course.” He added, “Then I just kind of went into those stages of grief. Denial, mostly: This doesn’t make any sense.

Why would you do that? You’re kind of killing off our father figure … And he explained creatively why he thought it was the right choice, and I fought him on it. And I continued to fight him on it. I fought him on it up until we kind of did the funeral stuff, because I was thinking: Maybe they’ll pull it back. Maybe they’ll change their minds. Maybe they’ll reverse course.” He continued, “The 118 is now fractured. It’s splintered. You’re cutting the head off the snake, and the rest of us don’t know what to do. We’re going to go to our jobs and do them dutifully, but we’re obviously going to have this weight on us every time we go out on a call, every time we enter the firehouse. Basically, every moment it will still be with us, and the loss will be with us.”