ABC\u2019s \u00ab\u00a09-1-1\u00a0\u00bb just killed off a major character, leaving fans stunned. Why did Peter Krause leave, and was it his choice? Here\u2019s the real reason behind Bobby Nash\u2019s fate.<\/b>
\nWarning: Spoilers ahead for 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 15, \u201cLab Rats.\u00a0\u00bb
For eight seasons over nine years, Krause played Nash, the captain of LAFD\u2019s Station 118. But in Season 8, Episode 15, titled \u201cLab Rats,\u201d his character met a tragic end after heroically giving the only available vial of a life-saving vaccine to his teammate Chimney (Kenneth Choi), sacrificing his own chance at survival.
Rumors have been swirling about Krause\u2019s potential departure from the procedural for the past few weeks after photos leaked on social media of the series shooting a funeral scene in downtown Los Angeles, according to Variety. (Last season, Krause\u2019s character was on the verge of death after collapsing from cardiac arrest while rescuing Athena from their burning home. He ended up on a ventilator and was in a coma, but survived).
Krause\u2019s recent departure marks the first major cast exit since Connie Britton left her role as emergency dispatcher Abby Clark after Season 1. But was the actor\u2019s decision to leave? Here\u2019s what we know about the heartbreaking sendoff and whether the show\u2019s creators were behind it.Why Is Peter Krause Leaving 9-1-1?
Peter Krause\u2019s exit from 9-1-1 wasn\u2019t the actor\u2019s decision, but rather a creative choice made by the show\u2019s team, according to showrunner Tim Minear.
\u201cIt was entirely creative,\u201d Minear said in an interview with Variety. \u201cA very difficult creative decision, because there\u2019s practically no one I love on this Earth more than Peter.\u201d
As for why it had to be Bobby and not a smaller character, Minear explained that the decision made more sense in the context of the captain\u2019s overall character arc.
\u201cIt didn\u2019t feel arbitrary, because if you track the tragic arc of his character, of where he started, and how he came to LA looking for atonement, it just makes a kind of tragic sense for his character in a way it wouldn\u2019t for another character,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut also, I just didn\u2019t want to go small. Not that any of the characters are small, but Bobby\u2019s death affects every single character\u2019s story in a way that really no other character death would.\u201d
In a statement, Krause said it was his \u00ab\u00a0honor\u201d to play Nash. He acknowledged that many fans are upset over his character\u2019s death and admitted they have every right to be, noting that viewers have followed Bobby through storylines involving \u201cgrief, guilt, anger and addiction while exploring his relationship with a higher power, forgiveness and grace.\u201d
\u201cThat said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this\u00a0\u00bb, he continued. \u00ab\u00a0First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at \u20189-1-1\u2019 salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe. Our show is incredibly difficult to make at times with long hours, challenging stunts and elaborate disasters. We couldn\u2019t do it without each other.\u201d
He added, \u201cI will miss all my 9-1-1 family. Our incredible crew whose professional excellence is second to none. All the writers who keep pulling rabbits out of hats. All the directors tasked with the same. All the incredible guest cast over the years as well as Jennifer Love Hewitt and the cast in the call center.\u201d
The actor concluded his statement with: \u201cThis has been one wild adventure. I thank you all, with all my heart.\u00a0\u00bbHow Did Bobby Nash Die In 9-1-1?
Bobby\u2019s death took place during the second half of ABC\u2019s special two-part episode, which aired Thursday, April 17. As Chimney\u2019s condition worsened after being exposed to a rare and deadly virus from a massive lab explosion, Buck (Oliver Stark) and Athena (Angela Bassett) raced to track down the only dose of antidote available. But in the episode\u2019s final moments, it was revealed that Captain Bobby Nash\u2019s protective suit had been compromised. So he too, had been infected.
Bobby revealed he had kept his infection a secret to protect his team. While coughing up blood, he shared an difficult goodbye with Buck and his wife, Athena. In his final moments, he walked to a table, knelt down, and clasped his hands in prayer before the virus took his life.
Minear told Variety that he had to pitch Bobby\u2019s death scene to \u201cthe highest levels\u201d before it was officially approved.
\u201cI had to convince everybody about this,\u201d Minear explained. \u201cThe network was not like, \u2018Yeah, get rid of him, it\u2019ll save us money.\u2019 It was nothing like that. I had to pitch this at the highest levels and just walk through the whole story and try to infect them \u2014 funny choice of words, given the storyline \u2014 because, as I pitched it, you could understand, as a writer, how suddenly the whole world felt more alive. It felt more real because this thing had happened.\u201d
As for what\u2019s next for 9-1-1, Bassett told Variety she has \u201cnot dared\u201d to ask Minear about what comes next. \u00ab\u00a0But part of me can\u2019t help but think that that means more is going to land on Athena\u2019s shoulders.\u201d She also added that she\u2019s pretty sure Athena is \u201cprobably done\u201d with relationships.
Meanwhile, Minear told the outlet that he purposely chose not to have Bobby\u2019s death occur in the Season 8 finale to allow \u00ab\u00a0the audience and the characters to get their heads around it.\u201d
\u201cI\u2019m not saying that the last three episodes are a therapy session, much,\u201d he clarified. \u201cThere\u2019s still thrilling adventures and high-stakes first-responder action taking us into our finale, but every single episode of the next three, they\u2019re all about Bobby\u2019s death.\u201d
9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. New episodes are available to stream the following day on Hulu.<\/p>\n