9-1-1 star Oliver Stark has clapped back at the online trolls upset over Buck’s queer storyline.
During the show’s milestone 100th episode, viewers were recently thrown for an unexpected loop when the fan-favourite character was confirmed to be bisexual.
The episode, aptly titled ‘Buck, Bothered and Bewildered’, saw Buck sharing an (unexpected) intimate moment with former firefighter and LAFD Air Operations pilot Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.).
After Buck tells Tommy that he’s been trying to “get his attention” (the sexual chemistry was, undeniably, off the goddamn charts), Tommy leans in for a kiss, leaving Buck stunned. The two then plan a beer date.
Of course, it didn’t take long for fans to understandably freak out over Buck’s long-awaited character development, with many saying it was a “long time coming.
While most of the 9-1-1 fanbase has been ecstatic over the character’s new story arc, a select group of “fans” used the moment to spew biphobic rhetoric online and in Stark’s social media comments.
Fortunately, the British-born actor wasted no time shutting down the online trolls in a powerful statement to his Instagram story.
“Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline. I’ve read so many of your messages, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Stark wrote at the start of his statement.
“If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show. I would like you to know that I truly don’t care.
“This is a show about love and inclusion. It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning, including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses I’ve ever watched.
“If one other character finds a new facet to his sexuality and realising his bisexuality is your deal breaker – I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show.”
Toward the end of his statement, Stark iconically reminded unhappy viewers that an announcement of their departure from the 9-1-1 fandom is “not required”.
Shortly after uploading his unapologetic message, fans flocked to social media to showcase their support for the beloved talent.
One person on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “He said y’all got him confused with somebody that give a f**k. Whew lemme catch up on this show.”
Another fan echoed similar sentiments, writing “‘You are not required to announce your departure.’ He ended those biphobes and good for him!”
A third fan added: “Oh he ATE ate. The biphobia in both the straight & LGBTQIA+ communities is foul, tbh, and we’re gonna keep telling you when you’re acting up. Bi buck forever x.”
Stark’s statement comes a few days after he opened up about Buck’s coming out journey to Entertainment Weekly.
“I do feel like there have been moments in the show that have led up to this for a long time. For a long, long time, in fact. I think it’s been seasons and seasons in the making, so it’s really nice to see it officially come to fruition,” he said.
“There was obviously something that wasn’t clicking in Buck’s personality and his openness with himself and his acceptance of himself. It felt to me like there was something beneath the surface, right?”
Lastly, Stark described Buck’s new arc as a “really nice gift: the opportunity to delve into this storyline, to be involved in telling it. I feel very proud of the work and just to be a part of it.”
9-1-1 airs every Thursday in the US on ABC.
Check out the Buck and Tommy kiss here or below.
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