If you watch or stream the premiere, let us know what you think in the comments below.
I’ll bet I know your evening plans! Last season’s cliffhanger finale of TV’s 9-1-1, “Seismic Shifts,” had viewers shook—and not just because of the LA earthquake and building collapse. The action-packed procedural drama television series, which returns to ABC on October 9 (and streams the following night on Hulu), revolves around the lives and work of police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers.
Each episode follows the emergency responders’ adrenaline-fueled shifts as they respond to drama-on-top-of-drama emergencies and race against time to save lives. Angela Bassett’s character, LAPD patrol sergeant Athena Grant, shares cortisol-pumping action sequences with a talented ensemble cast. The compelling storylines can feel over the top (tonight’s premiere launches grieving widow Athena and firefighter paramedic Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, a new adoptive mother played by Aisha Hinds, into space orbit). However, the workplace drama also offers a seemingly realistic and gripping portrayal of emergency responders’ daily challenges.
In true season premiere fashion, we’ll see an Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos-type billionaire (played by guest star Mark Consuelos) paddle out to sea and get swallowed by a whale in tonight’s episode, “Eat the Rich.” Get ya popcorn and chardonnay ready. Also, your tissues: the close-knit coworkers of the 118 lean on each other as they celebrate the legacy of their fallen comrade (Athena’s husband Bobby Nash, who died last season in a lab explosion).
In part 2 of my recent interview with her (part 1, where the actress talks about her movie projects and preventive health, can be read here), Basset gives us an insider’s look at the popular TV series. The conversation is lightly edited for clarity. She also shares Athena-inspired advice on keeping grounded and remaining whole as life throws chaos, drama and disruptive shocks our way to the point that we barely recognize what’s become of our world. Can you relate to that experience?
Angela Bassett chats with Sisters, recaps season 8 of 9-1-1 and gives us a look at season 9
Sisters: Your character in 9-1-1 and her partner shared life and work. At the end of season 8, fans were not so happy because the love of her life expired in a really dramatic way. We lost a beloved character, and she lost her beloved. We saw Athena going through a lot of other transitions as well. Didn’t she sell her house?
Angela Bassett: Yes.
S: And she turned down a promotion?
AB: Yes.
S: Okay, so she’s going through some things!
AB: A lot of transitions, yes. Well, their home burnt down, that’s one thing. And then they were building another home, but of course, she’s lost the love of their life, so now what? So, she sells that home. That won’t be the dream home anymore, because you know one of the dreamers is no longer here. But yes, that was a very dramatic ending of season 8. My colleague Peter Krause [the actor who played Athena’s husband Bobby] is extremely nice. We had a great time together, you know, over about five years of a work husband, work wife situation. He’s just a great individual. So, it was just really sad to see him go.
S: The name of the last episode is “Seismic Shifts,” and I thought that was so interesting. I recently read the book Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age, by Bruce Feiler. It explores how frequent and unpredictable changes mark modern life. His research found that adults experience a significant life disruptor every 12 to 18 months. These range from job changes and health challenges to relationship shifts and personal losses. Occasionally, several challenges coincide, creating what Feiler calls a “lifequake.” So, your character, Athena, has had a lifequake because of all these things going on. And it’ll be interesting to see what she’s doing in this next episode. How would you advise or support a friend through a lifequake, when just everything has changed at once, and she feels unmoored?
AB: I think when you’re feeling unmoored, when you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, when you’re not quite sure, be still. Truly, just be still and breathe. Just be quiet, take it in, and surround yourself with the comfort of friends, loved ones, and a support system. Think of the small things that you’re grateful for. That can have a big impact.
I remember listening to satellite radio while driving to pick up my sister from the airport. I heard a song by Lou Rawls. He was one of my California neighbors for a little while. The lilt of the music, the orchestration, and his voice instantly [uplifted me.] Then, of course, I’m remembering what a kind neighbor he was. Courtney [Primetime Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance] and I were married in his and his wife’s backyard. And he was so sweet. I grew up listening to him. My mother was a big fan and had his album. So, to one day have him as a neighbor living across the street! As I recalled all this in the moment, during my birthday weekend with the sun shining, as I headed to get my sisters, I just got so happy and thankful. I started crying, smiling and laughing at the same time. You know that moment.
SS: Yes! They call those moments glimmers. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. So, you want to find the glimmers in life. What are some other glimmers that give you that lift?
AB: When I see a child throw their head back and laugh because something’s funny to them. When I look at my kids while they’re not looking at me, and I catch them in innocent quiet moments.
S: On 9-1-1, you have your screen children. I recall they’re very close in age to your actual children [Basset’s and Vance’s daughter, Bronwyn, and their son, Slater, are fraternal twins who will be 20 in January]. These actors’ roles are now elevated to regular characters. So, can we expect to see more of your family life?
AB: Absolutely. My family life on 9-1-1 always plays a big part. Yeah, we have these jobs, but I think a big part of 9-1-1 is the relationships we share with each other and the things we go through. And I think perhaps that’s why it’s a favorite of fans. They can see a bit of themselves in it, in life, in the glimmers, in the traumas, in the changes, in the support and in the love, in going through hard times, in the resilience. And sometimes in its hardly believable ridiculousness—like me landing a plane (laughs)!
S: It’s wonderful to see a multigenerational cast.
AB: We’ll see more of Corinne and Elijah. [Corinne Massiah plays Athena’s eldest child, May Grant, and Elijah M. Cooper portrays the youngest child, Harry Grant.] They are just beautiful young people, and the world—life is ahead of them. Corinne just graduated from UCLA. Elijah’s at Moorhouse, I’m just so proud of him. So, I love when my kids come and I say, “Come, meet my other [TV] kids.”
If you watch or stream the premiere, let us know what you think in the comments below.
