Why ABC’s 9-1-1 Needs To Be On Your Watchlist

Angela Bassett stars alongside Aisha Hinds, Ryan Guzman, Oliver Stark, and more in ABC’s recently picked-up drama 9-1-1! If you haven’t tuned into the hijinks of Station 118, here are five reasons you should check it out before the season eight premiere on September 26th.

The Cast is Stacked

One of the major appeals of watching a show is seeing a familiar face, and 9-1-1 is full of them. Oscar and Emmy winner Angela Bassett leads the charge as not only a main character but as an executive producer as well. Her equally talented and recognizable co-stars include Kenneth Choi, Peter Krause, I Know What You Did Last Summer star Jennifer Love Hewitt, and more. As well as recurring stars like Tracie Thomas who many may know from movies such as Rent and The Devil Wears Prada and Bryan Safi from Young and Hungry. 

The Representation

A major aspect of  9-1-1 that is constantly praised is their representation. For many, watching a show that has an amazing catalog of BIPOC characters and canonical queer relationships is important. Aisha Hinds’ character Henrietta (Hen) Wilson, is a great example of the amazing representation on the show, as a black lesbian firefighter and paramedic who is a main character with multiple leading storylines many of which involve her wife Karen (Tracie Thoms). Fan favorite character Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley (Oliver Stark)  also recently touched the hearts of viewers with his own coming-out storyline, and his relationship with boyfriend Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr) has brought the show many new viewers and public recognition.

The Spin-Offs

What’s better than one show about firefighters? Multiple shows about firefighters! The 9-1-1 universe is not just confined to the LAFD and LAPD. Producer and creator Ryan Murphy known for shows like Glee, American Horror Story, and Scream Queens has another show that follows beloved characters and their lives as first responders. 9-1-1:Lone Star. The procedural drama follows Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) and his son TK Strand (Ronen Rubenstein) as they move to Austin, Texas to help revamp Firehouse 126 after a disaster. 9-1-1: Lone Star is set to premiere its final season on September 23rd on Fox.

It’s Heartwarming

Like many procedural dramas on air today, 9-1-1 emphasizes the characters’ relationships outside their job. However, the appeal of this show, in particular, is the character’s relationships with one another. The found family aspects and the platonic relationships of 9-1-1 are reasons fans of the show tune in. You get to invest in their lives, grow attached to them as people, and watch as they realize they have found a home within each other. 

The Fanbase

Lastly, a big reason people get into the 9-1-1 is the fans! They are super dedicated and an integral part of the viewing experience. Whether it be fan art, fan-edits, or even fan fiction, having a fanbase be so invested in a show always guarantees a great watch. In fact, even the cast and crew get involved with the fans. The social media team recently collaborated with a fan account to promote the new season. 

When a show cares about its viewers and makes an effort to include them in its creation process, that’s how you know it’s good. If you haven’t already, check out ABC’s 9-1-1 on Hulu or Disney+, and tune in to the season 8 premiere, on September 26, 2024, at 8 pm E.T!