Oliver Stark Dishes on 'Emotional' “9-1-1” Kiss and What's Next for Buck: He'll 'Receive the Support That He Needs'

From a visit to the Bachelor Mansion to one unexpected kiss, the 100th episode of '9-1-1' was dreamier than ever

The 100th episode of 9-1-1 shocked fans with an unexpected kiss — and a love story may just unfold as the story continues to unravel.

Character Evan Buckley (Oliver Stark) kissed Tommy Kinard (Louis Ferrigno Jr.) on Thursday’s episode. While the moment was unexpected, viewers have long shipped the known to be straight Buck with his best friend, Eddie (Ryan Guzman). The surprise not only lies with the same-sex romance but with the fact that it wasn’t Eddie on the receiving end of the kiss. Rather, it was Eddie’s new friend.

Stark, 32, spoke on what comes next for his character, and what that kiss meant for 9-1-1 as a whole. “The focus was on it being important, but also not wanting it to feel like the bravest episode in television,” he told Variety. “We just wanted to tell a lighthearted love story that happens to be a queer love story. It’s an element, but it’s not everything.”

Related: The 9-1-1 Crew Comes to the Rescue at The Bachelor Mansion in Crossover Sneak Peek

Up next are “questions” — but Buck won’t be alone in processing what this means for his love life, and his future.

“He’ll obviously have some questions for himself, and for others — and you’re right, he will absolutely go to Maddie and talk these things out and other people within the 118, and he’ll get different reactions,” Stark added. “Some will be surprised, and some will not be so surprised. But it’s very true to the world of “9-1-1” that he will lean on those around him, and will receive the support that he needs.”

Stark was one of the last to know about the new love interest in Buck’s script. “Not with too much notice [co-creator Tim Minear] said, ‘I think this is the most truthful way to continue Buck’s storyline.’ And I said, ‘I 100% agree,’” he shared.

Related: A Fire at Bachelor Mansion? The Cast of 9-1-1 Is Coming to the Rescue for an Epic ABC Crossover (Exclusive)

As for what fans will think with the new romance, Stark isn’t too focused on it. “As the actor, if you get too caught up in what the reaction is going to be, you’re probably going to get yourself into dangerous territory,” he said. “The most efficient way, or the most sensible way to deal with it, is to just focus on the moment and find something that feels truthful while we’re making the show. And then if people love it, that’s fantastic. And if they take issue with it, you know — that’s also fine. That’s the point in making these things.”

Also featured on the 100th episode was an ABC crossover — featuring the famed Bachelor Mansion. Bachelor host Jesse Palmer called in an emergency on set, and the 9-1-1 crew was ready to respond. "A woman just glued herself to the driveway of the Bachelor Mansion," Jesse said in the episode.

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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