Oliver Stark – 9-1-1

By starrymag | September 23, 2019

By: Kemberlie Spivey

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) “9-1-1” is pretty full on and we shoot about nine or ten months of the year. So, right now that is my main focus – making season three the best it can be!

 

Q) How was your character Evan “Buck” Buckley originally described to you?

A) To be honest, I didn’t know that much going into it! When I auditioned there was no breakdown of who the character was because everything was being kept under wraps. It was quite liberating going into that way as it was a blank canvas for me to go in and offer my interpretation.

 

Q) What was your audition process like for the series?

A) Pretty quick! I got three scenes sent to me which I would go in and read with FOX casting the next day. After that I heard after a few hours that they would bring me in the next day to meet with Ryan Murphy, Tim Minear and the director of the pilot episode at the time. We read the scenes, had a chat and a week later they called me to let me know the good news!

 

Q) Have you had much of a say in how the character has developed throughout the seasons?

A) Not really. We have such fantastic creators and writers that I wouldn’t presume to have better ideas than them. So, I know and trust they will write great stuff and I will do my best to do it justice.

 

Q) What is your favorite thing about playing Buck?

A) I haven’t really ever played a character who isn’t a villain in some way. So, it’s really fun playing a guy with such a huge heart. It fills me up in a totally different way and to see how people have reacted to the character has brought me so much joy. It all still feels very surreal actually.

 

Q) How has your character grown this season since Bucky injured his leg during the finale of Season 2?

A) We find Buck at the start of Season 3 very much still dealing with his injury in a mental sense more than a physical sense. It was a traumatic experience that would change anyone’s outlook, so there are a lot of up and downs, wins and losses, at the start of the season for Buck to navigate.

 

Q) In the trailer we see that Buck and Christopher will probably be together during the tsunami episode. Talk about filming with Gavin McHugh and why you think Christopher and Buck get along so well.

A) It’s impossible not to get along well with Gavin. He is a dream to work with. You can plan and rehearse the scene as much as you want, but when you get on set with him he just draws new found emotion out of you. I think Buck and Christopher get along so well because in many ways Buck is just a big kid!

 

Q) Was it more difficult to film for the tsunami or for the earthquake in Season 2?

A) Definitely the tsunami. I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of anything so physically strenuous. It was a huge effort from so many people and the feeling of achievement at the end was unparalleled. Now, I can’t wait to see it all come together!

 

Q) Whose character arc are you most excited to about for Season 3?

A) I think what this show does so well is that everyone has such strong arcs and they are all so intertwined. It really is an ensemble and to see all the characters grow together is a really lovely experience.

 

Q) What episode can you tease this season stands out the most to you?

A) The tsunami and the follow up episode are obviously going to be huge and blow people’s minds! The scale of them is going to unlike anything we’ve seen before. I’m also really excited for episode four as it’s one of the first time you’ll really see some conflict within the 118.

 

Q) What else would you like us to be sure we share with our readers about Season 3 of “9-1-1?”

A) Just to keep on watching and seeing the chaos we create on screen for you all!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way to communicate with your fans?

A) It’s a lovely opportunity to be able to share the viewing experience. The fans are the people that are watching the show and keeping it on the air and I’m very aware of that – and grateful too!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

A) Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy all that we’re working hard to bring to life for you!