Under pressure
First responders struggle to save the day and themselves in Fox’s ‘9-1-1’
When the heat is on, it helps to keep a cool head. In an emergency situation, first responders must keep it together and rely on their training to help those in need. However, that doesn’t mean first responders don’t need help themselves.
Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk explore the pressures faced by today’s first responders in “9-1-1,” airing Wednesday, Jan. 10, on Fox. Set in Los Angeles, the procedural drama follows cops, paramedics and other professionals as they are thrust into frightening and shocking situations.
Casting for the series caused a buzz in the television industry because of the caliber of its stars. Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do With It,” 1993) headlines the series as police officer Athena Grant, and Emmy nominee Peter Krause (“Six Feet Under”) has also nabbed a prominent role as paramedic Bobby Nash. Emmy nominee and former “Nashville” star Connie Britton co-stars as a 9-1-1 operator, while supporting cast members include Aisha Hinds (“Underground”) and Rockmond Dunbar (“Prison Break”).
Even with the talented ensemble cast, Murphy and Falchuk have their work cut out for them if they want to do justice to the subject matter. While such professions are unquestionably some of the most high-pressure jobs in the world, many first responders contend that they’re also the most rewarding, and this new series sheds light on the highs and lows these brave men and women experience every day.
“In those moments when you actually save someone, there’s no better feeling in the world,” Nash says in “9-1-1.”
Bringing those moments to the small screen may be a big challenge, but if there’s currently a team in network television that can pull it off it’s this one. Murphy and Falchuk’s combined credits include Fox’s smash-hit musical series “Glee” and FX’s horror anthology series “American Horror Story.” “9-1-1” marks the pair’s third straight-to-season order for Fox network, and their combined successes in prime time have earned them a lucrative development deal with 20th Century Fox Studios. Executive producer Tim Minear has written for various television series, including “The X-Files,” “Angel” and “Firefly,” and also served as an executive producer for “American Horror Story.”
In fact, “9-1-1” features both behind-the-scenes and on-screen talent from “American Horror Story.” Bassett earned an Emmy nomination for her role as voodoo queen Marie Laveau in “American Horror Story: Coven,” the show’s third season. Her portrayal of Desiree Dupree in season 4, entitled “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” nabbed her another Emmy nod. She also appeared as Romona Royale in season 5 (“AHS: Hotel”) and Monet Tumusiime in season 6 (“AHS: Roanoke”). Aside from her top-notch television work, Bassett is best known for her appearances in feature films. She secured her spot as a Hollywood icon with her portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” for which she won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination. She’s also famous for her starring turn in the romantic comedy “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998).
Like Bassett, fellow “AHS” alum Britton has been prominently featured in the horror anthology series. She was a part of the show’s inaugural season as Vivien Harmon, a role that earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She later appeared in Murphy’s “American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson” as Faye Resnick in 2016. In addition to her work with Murphy and Falchuk, the actress has been a part of some of the most popular prime-time series of the modern television era, dating all the way back to 1996 when she was cast in the ABC comedy “Spin City” opposite Michael J. Fox (“Back to the Future,” 1985). Her star continued to rise as she took on roles in “The West Wing” and “24,” but the show that made her a household name was NBC’s “Friday Night Lights.” She was similarly praised for her work on the ABC country music drama “Nashville,” in which she played fading star Rayna Jaymes.
Krause may not be part of the “AHS” club, but he’s no slouch. Early in his acting career, he appeared in such series as “Seinfeld,” “Cybill” and “Sports Night” before his starring role as Nate Fisher in the HBO drama “Six Feet Under” won him critical acclaim. The gig earned him nominations for three Emmys, two Golden Globes and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards, of which he won two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama series. He’s also well known for his role as Adam Braverman in NBC’s now-defunct comedy-drama “Parenthood.”
As police officers, paramedics and more, these performers bring the triumphs and heartaches of emergency workers to light. Tune in as the first responders struggle with their own demons and strive to help those in need in a new episode of “9-1-1,” airing Wednesday, Jan. 10, on Fox.