It’s been six months since *9-1-1* shocked and devastated viewers by unexpectedly killing off the show’s patriarch, 118 Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause). Now, fans are fearing for the future of Bobby’s wife, Athena (Angela Bassett).
Over the course of eight seasons, Bassett’s character has survived everything from a capsized cruise ship and an emergency plane landing to a devastating house fire, overwhelming levels of emotional trauma, and more. But since Athena’s husband is gone and *9-1-1* showrunner Tim Minear proved the series isn’t afraid to axe a character of great importance, a number of fans are worried about Athena’s fate ahead of Season 9, Episode 4.
—
## A High-Stakes New Season
*9-1-1* is known for its big opening emergencies, and Season 9 took that tradition to a whole new height by sending Athena, Hen (Aisha Hinds), and three other everyday heroes to space. Episodes 2 and 3 saw the characters fighting for their lives and battling all sorts of out-of-this-world emergencies—from a fire in the spaceship and a missing emergency door hatch to low oxygen levels and more.
Before Episode 3 ended, it seemed as though the crew safely made it aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and everything would be okay. But things took yet another dangerous turn in the episode’s final minutes, leaving fans stressed about Athena for another whole week.
—
## Is Angela Bassett Leaving *9-1-1*? Does Athena Die in Season 9?
Fans are asking the big questions: Is Angela Bassett leaving *9-1-1*? Does Athena die in Season 9? Ultimately, we’ll have to watch Episode 4 on Thursday, October 30, to find out. While we wait to learn what chaos *9-1-1* has in store, here’s everything we know about Angela Bassett’s fate on the show.
### Why Are Fans Worried?
Episode 3 ended with a dangerous twist putting Athena, Hen, and the rest of the crew’s safety at risk. After the new astronauts safely arrived at the ISS and got a fresh life-saving source of oxygen, they were caught in a potentially deadly space debris storm, which again left their fate uncertain.
Adding fuel to the fire, a 30-second teaser trailer for Season 9, Episode 4, titled “Reentry,” aired after Episode 3. The teaser showed the ISS docking ring getting stuck, forcing the crew to send someone out into space to perform a critical repair. Athena was seen suiting up to go on the risky spacewalk, despite Hen insisting that she would do it instead.
Athena emotionally replied, “I can’t lose anybody else, Hen!” Hen, knowing how determined her best friend is, reluctantly let her go.
### The Cliffhanger
Once outside the ISS, Athena shouts, “The tether’s stuck! I can’t reach!” She then unharnesses herself in an attempt to save the day. The episode teaser features an emotional flashback montage of Athena’s near-death experiences, memories of her late husband Bobby, and their kids.
Hen screams Athena’s name as we see Athena floating alone in space. This intense moment set off a wave of fan theories.
—
## Showrunner Tim Minear’s Perspective
When asked about the decision to kill *9-1-1*’s beloved patriarch in Season 8, showrunner Tim Minear explained:
> “Going into Season 9, I have all these perilous situations that I put the characters into, and I think maybe the writers but also the audience starts to get a little complacent because it’s like, well, we all know it’s going to all work out fine in the end.”
Minear revealed he had been considering this move for a couple of seasons, feeling it was necessary to raise the stakes and impact all characters’ stories in specific ways. He said:
> “There was only one man for the job, and it was Bobby.”
In an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Minear reiterated that introducing real tragedy was essential after eight seasons of avoiding core character deaths.
> “Otherwise, the next time I turn over a cruise ship, or land a plane on the freeway, or take a city out with a tsunami, you’re just going to be like, ‘Oh, everyone’s going to be fine.’ So it was time for there to be some real tragic fallout from a story.”
—
## Could Athena Die Too?
While Minear’s comments have fans on edge, many find it hard to imagine *9-1-1* killing off another core character, especially Ms. Athena Grant Nash, so soon after Bobby’s death.
Doing that would deeply affect viewers, the 118 team, and Athena’s kids. Still, some fans feel there’s a case for Angela Bassett potentially leaving the series, so let’s explore that possibility.
—
## Is Angela Bassett Leaving *9-1-1*?
While it’s hard to envision *9-1-1* without the great Angela Bassett, it was similarly unimaginable before Peter Krause’s exit. In a memorable March 27 interview with *PEOPLE*, Bassett shared:
> “Yeah, absolutely not. It would be so different. I don’t even know what the show would be like without them together. It’s hard to imagine.”
Following Krause’s departure, some fans worried Bassett might also leave, given Bobby’s crucial role as a direct tie between the 118 team and Athena.
Showrunner Tim Minear addressed these concerns, telling *Entertainment Weekly*:
> “I will tell you this: Without spoiling it, by the end of episode 3, you will not need to ask me that question.”
(Note: The season’s opening emergency was initially believed to last three episodes, but fans recently learned the space storyline will conclude in Episode 4. Minear’s comments likely apply through the end of that episode.)
—
## Why Athena Is Likely Staying
Despite the tense teaser, Athena has significant purpose on *9-1-1*, both professionally and personally. Bobby may be gone, but Athena’s kids, May and Harry, are back.
Corinne Massiah and Elijah M. Cooper, who play May and Harry, were recently promoted to series regulars. Fans speculate May might return to the call center, and Harry may join the 118 team, keeping the whole *9-1-1* family connected.
Additionally, a recently uploaded photo on the *9-1-1* press site shows Athena and her kids back safely on Earth, giving fans hope that Bassett remains on the show and Athena survives the space ordeal.
(As dedicated fans know from the April Fools Day script leak, nothing is confirmed until we see it with our own eyes.)
—
## Final Thoughts
We can’t imagine *9-1-1* putting fans and characters through the ringer again by killing the show’s biggest star this soon after Bobby’s death.
Fingers crossed we’re not saying goodbye to any more *9-1-1* stars anytime soon!
To paraphrase the great Athena herself: **WE CAN’T LOSE ANYBODY ELSE, TIM!**
New episodes of *9-1-1* Season 9 premiere Thursdays on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu. Mark your calendars for Episode 4, airing Thursday, October 30—it promises an epic conclusion you won’t want to miss!
https://decider.com/2025/10/24/is-angela-bassett-leaving-911-is-athena-leaving-911-season-9-athena-die/
