The Reel Perspectives

April 18, 2025

(Warning: This article contains spoilers)

In a shocking move that left fans devastated from the hit show "9-1-1", Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) said his gut-wrenching goodbyes to his wife Athena (Angela Bassett), sacrificing himself for the greater good in season 8 episode 15, "Lab Rats." Ahead of its episode, speculation reached a fever pitch when behind-the-scenes footage revealed online that a funeral procession was being filmed on the streets of Los Angeles with Angela Basset front and center, hinting at a major character's death.

The series' two-part Contagion event was heavily promoted by the network which saw Bobby, Hen (Aisha Hinds), Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody), and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) trapped inside a laboratory with a deadly airborne virus. Rather than save himself from using the final antidote, Bobby died a heroic death using the antidote to save Chimney (Kenneth Choi), who fell ill to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Sensing his end was near and not wanting to leave the laboratory to avoid the risk of anyone else getting infected, he sent word to Athena, where she pleaded with him but it was too late. Seeing each other behind a glass door, Bobby recalls his past and apologizes to her, explaining that he chose to save his team because it was the right thing to do. After reaffirming their love for each other, Bobby finally collapses, with Athena and fans looking on in anguish, as the rest of Team 118 is devastated upon learning the news.

This was arguably a gutsy move for the show created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear since Krause's Nash is a huge fan favorite and has been a staple on the series from the premiere episode, which initially began on Fox before the series made its move to ABC upon the seventh season. After 8 seasons, Krause, who also serves as executive producer, has left his mark on the series and has many fans wondering how the show will go on without his venerable presence ahead of its ninth season. Angela Bassett, who also serves as executive producer and for the upcoming spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville, will anchor the series exclusively.  

In a heartfelt letter via Deadline, Krause addressed his departure by thanking the creators, networks, studios, crew, and Bassett. "I've heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be," he said. "It is a loss. That 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. First responders risk their lives on the job so others can see another day. His story arc honors them."

Following the aftermath of Nash's death, ABC released a promo for "The Last Alarm," which sees Athena and the rest of his team dealing with the guilt and devastation his sacrifice caused.

9-1-1 returns on Thursday, May 1, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. All episodes are available to stream on Hulu.