WORDS BY JORDAN ROBLEDO

The showrunner for 9-1-1 has addressed ‘Buddie’ and whether the fan-favourite pairing will ever get the Heated Rivalry treatment… and it’s not looking good.

Over the last few years, TV viewers worldwide have been drawn into the shocking and chaotic drama created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear.

Set in Los Angeles, 9-1-1 follows a group of police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and dispatchers who risk their lives to save civilians from terrifying situations.

Since its release, the show has earned acclaim from fans and critics alike, particularly for its adrenaline-pumping action, Angela Bassett’s leading performance, and its emotional storylines.

However, one aspect that has particularly captivated LGBTQIA+ viewers is the electric chemistry between firefighters Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz (Ryan Guzman) and Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark).

Over the course of eight seasons, fans have shipped the two characters together, affectionately dubbing them ‘Buddie.’

Fervour for the pairing reached new heights in season seven, after Buck came out as bisexual during the show’s 100th episode.

While fans have been treated to a handful of ‘Buddie’ Easter eggs here and there, the show’s creative team has refrained from going all in, leaving Buck and Eddie firmly in the friend zone.

The lack of ‘Buddie’ canon has also frustrated fans and, most recently, sparked online discourse comparing the two fictional firefighters to Shane and Ilya from the hit gay hockey romance series Heated Rivalry.

In a recent interview with The Washington Post, 9-1-1 showrunner Tim Minear got candid about the highly requested ship and why he’s not rushing to explore the dynamic.