‘9-1-1’ hinted at a slow-burn romance followers have wished for seasons. Star Ryan Guzman says they is perhaps lacking one thing.

It’s been a tumultuous few episodes for the solid of 9-1-1.

The long-running community TV sequence, which follows first responders in Los Angeles, is at all times action-packed and excessive. They’ve saved civilians from a tsunami, a sinking cruise ship and a “bee-nado.” In its eighth season, issues are simply as dramatic and emotionally intense as ever. Certainly one of 9-1-1’s unique main characters just died, and one other moved to Texas.

That dying is everlasting, however Eddie Diaz’s transfer may not be — he isn’t leaving the present simply but. Ryan Guzman, who performs Diaz, advised Yahoo Leisure that his firefighter character is perhaps out of state, however he’s not gone for good. The identical rocky episode arc confirmed Diaz’s finest good friend, Buck (Oliver Stark), facing the possibility that he may need emotions for him for the primary time in additional than 100 episodes.

Guzman addressed fan theories — significantly these rooting for romance between Diaz and Buck — which character is the “epicenter” of the sequence and what it’s wish to be part of an ensemble in such an unpredictable present.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

How do you know that this was the appropriate job for you?

I’ve taken a bunch of dangers to get into this trade, and by no means did I really feel that there was a certain factor in entrance of me. I wished to strive one thing I’ve by no means tried earlier than. On the time, I didn’t even have the cash to obtain scripts. I might take my pocket book and write down scripts and sure scenes, then at my house — I suppose you may name it that, I used to be staying in a one-bedroom with 5 males and dwelling on a sofa that was duct-taped collectively — I might write down these scripts and have these guys rehearse with me. Three months [after getting a manager], I booked Step Up Revolution, and I by no means seemed again.

You pulled off the troublesome job of becoming a member of the 9-1-1 ensemble after its first season and turning into a fan favourite. What was it like so that you can alter to being a part of the solid?

It was a bit daunting, simply because it had been a success already and the characters are established. On the time, I used to be a soon-to-be dad, and quite a lot of issues had been occurring on the similar time. I credit score Kenneth Choi [who plays a firefighter-paramedic named Chimney]. He noticed one thing in me. He pulled me to the aspect and mentioned, “Man, you’ve obtained one thing. You’ve got obtained a vivid future forward of you on this trade when you simply commit your time and your effort to it.”

He made me understand I want to return to learning. I began studying books and understanding performing just a little bit extra — the psychology of getting a very textured and nuanced character. I began feeling just a little bit extra snug and making an attempt new issues with the character, and lo and behold, the viewers began liking it.

9-1-1 has such a dedicated on-line fan base. How do you work together with that? Do you learn what folks publish about you?

I shuttle. Typically I’ll learn it to see the place the viewers is and what they’re speaking about, as a result of it’s type of enjoyable to throw in sure issues whilst you’re filming that they may like. Then, loads of occasions — I might say 80% or 90% of the time — I’m staying away from it as a result of a nasty remark is simply as efficient as a great remark. These days, I simply hang around with my children after I’m not working. I’m a household man at coronary heart. It’s not that arduous to avoid the feedback.

Individuals on my aspect of the web love your character’s relationship with Buck, each on a friendship stage and — as I’m certain you understand — some are rooting so that you can get collectively romantically as nicely. This season, for the primary time on-screen, there was a scene that hinted that Buck might have feelings for Eddie. How do you see their relationship evolving over time?

I’ve been saying this extra lately, however Buck has at all times been the brother that he wished. The atmosphere that Buck gave Eddie — a cushty atmosphere to share his emotions, which is new to Eddie — is all the pieces. He cherishes that. So in fact, he holds that pricey to his coronary heart. He’s concerned him in his family — caring for his son and making him the guardian of Christopher if he ever had been to move. These are big occasions, so there’s quite a lot of belief there and quite a lot of love there.

So far as their relationship goes — it’s one of many stronger relationships within the [Station] 118. You will have Hen [Aisha Hinds] and Chimney, then you’ve got Athena [Angela Bassett] and Bobby [Peter Krause]. I imply, Bobby has at all times been there for everyone. He’s type of like an epicenter. He’s like a therapist for all of us. However the Buck and Eddie factor has been there from Season 2. So far as the connection stuff goes, folks look into and feed off of that. I really like that they’ve their very own model of it. However typically I do really feel it takes away from each performances, as a result of it appears like each efficiency is supposed to inch towards a “Buddie” relationship. There’s a lot extra to all of the characters than only a [romantic] relationship. So, to not disregard all of the people who find themselves placing that ahead, however there are such a lot of textures that you simply is perhaps lacking when you’re ondly searching for one factor.

What was your response whenever you came upon that Eddie was shifting to Texas?

My first response was, “OK, I’m out of a job!”

No! They will’t do away with Eddie!

These scripts come on the final second — [showrunner] Tim Minear owns as much as that — and I bear in mind not understanding then, going into work on the firehouse and being like, “Wait, I’m going to Texas?” Not even a few seconds later, Tim calls me and says, “Don’t fear, we’re not killing you off.” And I used to be like, “Oh, OK. Thanks!” Excessive anxiousness second for a great second! Now that I’ve understood the place he’s going, I believe it was the appropriate transfer to do. You’ll perceive that there are some issues happening — a part of rising up goes backwards and mending the issues that held you again. Eddie has been gifted some actually good alternatives by going again to Texas.

What’s it like being on a present that’s so action-packed and unpredictable?

It’s so enjoyable! We’ve had so many moments with different solid members being like, “That is our job, guys! That is unbelievable!” You will have these Tom Cruise moments of flying on a fireplace engine making an attempt to chase down an airplane whereas a dummy is hanging outdoors of it. Then you’ve got these actually dramatic moments the place you and the captain are having conversations about your useless ex-wife. There’s a lot to this present, and I really feel like that’s why it’s lasted for therefore lengthy.

We’ve talked about Eddie, so let’s speak about Ryan. What’s in your imaginative and prescient board for the long run? What do you wish to do and who do you wish to work with?

Oh man! I did All people Desires Some!! with Richard Linklater and I’d like to work with him once more. I’ve at all times had a couple of roles on my thoughts — one is Zorro, the opposite is Batman. Come to search out out, each of these roles had been introduced on by a real-life character! His identify is Joaquin Murrieta. It’s intriguing to know that two of my favourite characters had been led to by a Mexican American. I might love to try this justice! If we’re speaking about name-brand motion pictures, let me be Tarzan! Hopefully, within the subsequent 5 to 10 years, I can accomplish a few of them. I might be open to doing one other film that entails dancing.

We obtained to see you dance for a few seconds on 9-1-1!

Oh yeah. That was extra of a humorous type of dancing. However I might like to get into one other Step Up sort of function. I’m of the identical thoughts that I used to be perhaps 15 years in the past — I wish to strive one thing new.

9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and is out there to stream on Hulu.