9-1-1 star Ryan Guzman has opened up about channelling a real-life experience for Buck’s coming out scene.
On the latest episode of the hit ABC drama, fan favourite character Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark) experienced a handful of LGBTQIA+ firsts.
Following his steamy bi-awakening kiss with former firefighter and LAFD Air Operations pilot Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), the duo went on their first date.
Of course, in true Buck fashion, the outing was full of chaotic yet adorable moments, ranging from his nervous icebreakers to an awkward run-in with his best friend Eddie (Ryan Guzman) and his girlfriend Marisol (Edy Ganem).
In the end, Tommy ended their rendezvous early, telling Buck he may not be ready to date.
While the aforementioned scene proved to be a hit with the fandom, the biggest highlight of the episode was Buck’s heartwarming coming out moment with Eddie.
After confiding in his sister Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) about his disastrous date and coming out to her in the process, Buck revealed the truth about his relationship with Tommy to Eddie.
“It was a date when you and Marisol ran into me and Tommy,” Buck admitted to a surprised Eddie, who immediately revealed that he didn’t know about Tommy’s sexuality, adding, “not that it would have mattered”.
Unsurprisingly, Eddie earned the title of ‘best friend of the year’ when he wholeheartedly embraced Buck, telling him that his sexuality would never change their relationship.
Since the episode’s release, fans have taken to social media to praise the show, Guzman and Stark for the incredibly sweet scene.
“Awww, really, really good scene. Warm and supportive , shows they are close, shows they trust each other. Love it..” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another fan added: “I’m literally gonna cry. This is so sweet.”
With 9-1-1 on a midseason break, Guzman opened up to The Wrap to discuss the heartwarming coming out scene and the real experience he tapped into while filming.
“Tim [Minear] had a couple of conversations with me, but when it came to that scene, he trusted how I would handle that and what I would do with it,” he explained to the news outlet.
The beloved actor went on to say that he had a friend go through a similar situation as Buck, where he was “having an issue with his own exploration” of who he was.
“All I wanted to do in that moment—for me, as Ryan—was make my friend feel safe, make my friend know that he can trust me and that it’s nothing but love,” Guzman continued.
“It doesn’t change anything, even if he gives me some information that comes out of left field, and my reaction might not be the best. It was very natural, just from pulling from my own experience.”
While fans will have to wait until 2 May to watch the next 9-1-1 episode, it’s set to feature more romantic moments between Buck and Tommy.
9-1-1 airs every Thursday in the US on ABC.
Watch Buck’s coming out scene here or below.