Angela Bassett Has a Message for 9-1-1 Fans Mourning Peter Krause’s Character’s Death: ‘It Wasn’t My Choice’ (Exclusive)

Bassett tells PEOPLE that she is “in mourning” after ‘9-1-1’ shocked fans with a sudden character’s death

ANGELA BASSETT and PETER KRAUSE in 9-1-1

Angela Bassett as Athena Grant and Peter Krause as Bobby Nash on ‘9-1-1’.Credit : Disney/Ray Mickshaw

Angela Bassett isn’t ready to let go of Bobby Nash.

Weeks after Peter Krause’s beloved 9-1-1 character sacrificed himself in the April 17 episode, Bassett, 66, says she is still in shock. Speaking with PEOPLE at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, May 5, the actress, who plays Sgt. Athena Grant-Nash and Bobby’s wife on the show, hasn’t fully accepted the loss.

“I’m in mourning,” she admits. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my choice. I don’t know.”

She then offers an encouraging message to fans: “Keep hope alive. Maybe he’ll return in my dreams, you know, my memories.”

Angela Bassett Was ‘Struck Dumb’ by That ‘Very Surprising’ 9-1-1 Death: ‘Inconceivable’ 

Athena and Buck are in a race against time to rescue the rest of the 118 following the fire in the bio lab.

Angela Bassett as Athena Grant on ‘9-1-1’.Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty

After starring in all eight seasons of the drama series, 59-year-old Krause said goodbye when Bobby, the department’s fire captain, used the final antidote for the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever to save Chimney (Kenneth Choi).

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Bassett and Krause have played Athena and Bobby, who wed in season 2, since the premiere of the procedural in 2018. When they first learned of his devastating fate, which Bassett called “inconceivable,” she said they “just looked at each other.”

9-1-1 - KENNETH CHOI, AISHA HINDS, OLIVER STARK, PETER KRAUSE, ANIRUDH PISHARODY

The cast of ‘9-1-1’ is pictured.Disney/Christopher Willard

“You know when your eyes just lock and you don’t know what to say? And you just bear hug each other and then you just shake your head,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “And bless his heart — he had to comfort all of us. He truly had to comfort all of us while he’s going through his own processing in the moment.”

She later took to Instagram to pay tribute to Krause, sharing a photo of their two characters hugging along with a sweet caption.

“For eight seasons, this kind, funny, compassionate, talented actor became not only my trusted colleague, but also a dear friend. #peterkrause as #bobbynash helped to introduce @911onabc to the homes and hearts of fans around the world. I know this is hard for all of you. It’s hard for us, too,” Bassett wrote.

Shortly after the episode aired, Krause told THR that he was sending “love” to his costar and friend, gushing: “I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett.”

“Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands,” he added. “We parted ways too soon.”

Angela Bassett Can ‘Absolutely Not’ Picture a World Where 9-1-1‘s Athena and Bobby Don’t End Up Together (Exclusive)

He further explained the sudden exit in a statement to Variety, calling the move “more than a bold creative choice on a bold show.”

“Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this. First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day,” Krause explained. “His story arc honors them.”

9-1-1 can be streamed on Hulu.