Kenneth Choi and the '9-1-1' cast react to Peter Krause's abrupt departure: 'It Was Devastating to Me'

The most recent installment of popular drama '9-1-1' stunned fans and cast alike with the abrupt and emotionally charged death of Captain Bobby Nash, played by Peter Krause. The two-part narrative, revolving around a lethal outbreak of a mutated Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, concluded with Bobby's self-sacrifice, an act that has rocked the show's devoted fan base and its cast ensemble.
Kenneth Choi, the actor who portrays firefighter Howard "Chimney" Han, spoke out about the effect of Krause's exit in a tearful interview with Entertainment Weekly. "I was crying," Choi conceded. "I mean, I f---ing shot it and I was still crying hysterically with my friend for like three or four minutes. I was laughing at myself going, 'I don't know what is happening! I know this isn't real! Why am I doing this? But it was wrecking me'". Choi elaborated further that to his character, Chimney, the tragedy was not simply the death of a captain or a colleague but much more than that: "Chimney is devastated. It's not just the loss of his captain. It's not just the loss of a colleague."
The episode’s climax saw Bobby giving the only vial of antiviral medication to Chimney, who was gravely ill, before revealing that he himself had been exposed to the virus. In a heart-wrenching farewell, Bobby told Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), “You’re going to be ok, kid. They're going to need you." He then summoned his wife Athena (Angela Bassett) for one last farewell: "I am not choosing to leave you. I chose to save my team because it was the right thing to do. I don't want to go, if I could I would stay with you always".
The cast's sorrow spilled off-screen as well, with open-hearted tributes flooding in for Krause. Oliver Stark penned, "My Dear Friend Peter, we miss you at work with us every single day. You were, and will always remain, our leader always." Choi himself tweeted, "Peter Krause, the classiest fella, most gifted of actors, and loveliest person on earth. THANK YOU, PK. Love You Pal". Jennifer Love Hewitt merely said, "I have no words," and added, "I couldn't say goodbye because you are the best".
Creator Tim Minear confirmed that it was a hard creative decision to end Bobby's story, noting, "Nobody wanted Peter to leave, most of all me… We all just felt like we were losing a real person, someone that we loved. Peter's great.". We speak constantly, and I look forward to doing something different with him". Minear also revealed that one of the most important moments in Bobby's last scene—to turn away from Athena and adopt a prayerful stance—was Krause's initiative, highlighting the connection of the actor with the character.
While '9-1-1' is set to move on without its favorite captain, the legacy of Bobby Nash and Peter Krause's eight-season stint will resonate with both the fans and the cast. The remaining episodes will have the 118 grappling with his death, opening up a moving new chapter for the show.