One of the biggest moments in the history of ABC's 9-1-1 was Evan Buckley (Oliver Stark) coming out as bisexual in Season 7. The development reverberated across the show's fandom, with many praising the decision. Within the character's life, it was not as dramatic. Everyone was on board with Buck's newfound relationship with a part of himself. No character was as supportive as Buck's best friend Eddie (Ryan Guzman), who took everything in stride and allowed his friend to be his true self.
Guzman appeared on The Zach Sang Show and revisited filming this pivotal moment. He discussed the power of showcasing friendships between straight and queer characters. "I think it resonates very well, because the feedback I got from the scene was just like, 'Oh, he's really being there for him,' and that's what I want to showcase with Eddie: sexuality doesn't have to define friendship. Just because you like to sleep with women or sleep with men, how does it define any kind of humor or relations with another individual? You just be you." Guzman noted the strength it takes for individuals to live openly, saying, "Here we are representing something so incredible."
Ryan Guzman also revealed he grounded his performance for Buck's story using real-world experiences. "I automatically thought about one of my friends who, I was filming Everybody Wants Some when he called me and told me he was finally coming out. It was this moment of like, 'I'm so happy you can finally just drop your guard and just be you.'" He took this heartfelt moment with him on set, reinforcing the authenticity of his portrayal.
Looking forward, Eddie's storyline is set to evolve. At the end of Season 8, he plans to move to Texas to be closer to Christopher (Gavin McHugh), but his best friend Buck struggles with the idea of being left alone. How Eddie will ease this blow remains to be seen, particularly with the midseason premiere approaching on March 6, 2025.
Guzman discussed how 9-1-1 has been instrumental in shaping his life overall. On the show, he portrays Eddie Diaz, who faces many challenges. Guzman reflected on his personal history, saying, "I've always kind of had identity issues, being mixed racially. My looks are really white, yet I associate with my Mexican culture. I was never truly accepted by either side, which causes identity issues, particularly for mixed-race kids."
Playing Eddie helped Guzman understand himself more. "I think getting involved with acting allowed me to understand myself through character work. Eddie has allowed me to live moments of life before I actually experience them." This exploration provided Guzman with practice to gain confidence and identity.
Adding another layer to his character, Guzman mentioned Eddie's role as a father. When Guzman joined the show, he was not yet a father himself. "Eddie shows up as the best dad possible. You try to be as best as you can on screen. But as a real father, kids can drive you insane. There are moments where you have no chance to take a breath and still need to be selfless," he stated.
Through portraying Eddie, Guzman learned valuable lessons about parenting. He notes, "It's about being solution-oriented. You categorize the issues and take one thing at a time, gradually working on what needs to be addressed. I often ask myself, 'What would Eddie do?'" This thought process has greatly influenced how he communicates with his children.
Also noteworthy is how Guzman's background as an MMA fighter has assisted his acting on 9-1-1. Speaking to Zach Sang, he discussed the discipline and composure he gained from martial arts. "I believe lessons learned translate to every problem you encounter. Staying composed under chaos is key. To maintain composure, you need confidence, which stems from dedication and fine-tuning your tools through hard work," Guzman stated.
The ability to remain clear-headed amid physical and emotional chaos on set has helped him tremendously. This skill proves invaluable during the show's high-intensity scenes, such as when Eddie faced sniper fire, natural disasters, and hostage situations. These scenarios amplify the necessity for maintaining composure.
Guzman summed up his experience well: "Applying what I learned from fighting gives me the opportunity to take deep breaths and simply be me. I feel confident about my choices and my communication." This unique blend of skills allows him to navigate personal and professional challenges effectively.
9-1-1 continues to engage audiences every Thursday on ABC, with previous episodes available for streaming on Hulu. Fans eagerly await the midseason premiere, expected to deepen the narrative around Buck and Eddie's friendship and growing family dynamics. Stay tuned for new developments.