“9-1-1” stars Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark, as well as “9-1-1: Nashville” actors Chris O’Donnell and Hunter McVey, recount their experience filming the franchises’ latest crossover.

9-1-1 stars share harrowing Nashville crossover travel amid severe storm: Made it out by ‘skin of their teeth’

"9-1-1" stars Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark, as well as "9-1-1: Nashville" actors Chris O'Donnell and Hunter McVey, recount their experience filming the franchises' latest crossover.

By Patrick Gomez

Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related.

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March 5, 2026 5:46 p.m. ET

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Eddie (Ryan Guzman), Ryan (Michael Provost), Buck (Oliver Stark), and Blue (Hunter McVey) on '9-1-1: Nashville' crossover. Credit:

Disney/Jake Giles Netter

From the moment *9-1-1: Nashville* was announced as the latest expansion of the first-responder franchise, fans had one thing on their mind: When’s the crossover? And they weren't the only ones asking.

"We turned in the cut of the pilot and the first question at the notes call was, so when’s the crossover?" *9-1-1: Nashville* showrunner Rashad Raisani recalls to ** of discussing the first episode with ABC.

"We knew that the network really wanted it, and we really wanted to do it," adds Tim Minear, who serves as showrunner and executive producer on *9-1-1* and co-created *Nashville* with Raisani.

But crossovers are easier said than done.

The two-hour event — which will be set up on *9-1-1* at 8 p.m. ET on ABC before playing out on *Nashville* the following hour — brings Buck (Oliver Stark) and Eddie (Ryan Guzman) to Tennessee, where they’ll encounter Capt. Don Hart (Chris O'Donnell) and his firefighters of the 113...and, of course, some emergencies.

This isn't the first crossover in *9-1-1* history, but planning this one proved far more complicated than those between the flagship series and previous spinoff *9-1-1: Lone Star* (or even fellow Ryan Murphy production *Doctor Odyssey*).

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Unlike the Texas-set series, which filmed on the same Los Angeles lot as *9-1-1*, *Nashville* shoots in Tennessee. “It’s a cross-country flight, and it’s nights away from their home show,” Raisani says of the logistical challenge, which required Stark and Guzman to make it to Nashville during narrow windows of production breaks. "They're the only actors who didn't get a break," Minear says of fitting their crossover scenes in during a winter hiatus that allowed the rest of the *9-1-1* cast a few weeks away.

A major (real-life) winter storm didn't make things easier.

"I was getting photos from John Gray, who was directing in Nashville, of frozen-over Nashville," shares Minear. "Buck and Eddie just made it out of there by the skin of their teeth," he continues, meaning the actors who play those characters.

"I think we got done filming around 4:30 in the morning, and our flight was at 7, and I think we were one of the last flights before 4,000-plus flights got canceled," confirms Guzman.

Blue (Hunter McVey), Ryan (Michael Provost), Don (Chris O'Donnell), Eddie (Ryan Guzman), and Buck (Oliver Stark) on '9-1-1: Nashville' crossover.

Disney/Jake Giles Netter

"We went straight from the set to the airport," adds Stark. "I think we'd been in the air for about 30 minutes when I texted Juani [Feliz, who plays lead paramedic Roxie Alba on *Nashville*] and said, 'Did the snow come in?' And she just sent me back a picture of the city blanketed. So honestly, I felt like we pulled off some kind of heist."

(When told that means they are ready for *The Amazing Race*, Guzman replies with "Let's do it," while Stark shares "I love that show.")

"I grew up in Chicago, so I've seen a lot of winter storms. This was so different," O'Donnell recalls of the December weather. "It snowed the one day, and then I woke up at 5:27 a.m. ... I remember, because it sounded like there was a war: these explosions, it was all the transformers exploding all around town and the sky was lighting up like it was lightning. And there was an inch of ice on everything and the tree branches just started snapping because they couldn't hold the weight. Everyone where we're living lost power for almost a week. So it was an adventure."

Unlike previous *9-1-1* crossovers, this one isn't instigated by tragedy. Instead, Buck and Eddie will head to Nashville to represent Los Angeles in the Firefighter Games, an athletic showdown that will pit the 118 against the 113 and other fire stations from across the country.

"At this day and age, a little bit of delight will go a long way," Raisani, who previously served as showrunner on *9-1-1: Lone Star*, says of avoiding the "temptation" of a major calamity and instead using an idea he and Minear had been toying around with for years but had yet to execute.

An injury will keep Don from representing Nashville in the Firefighter Games, leaving his deputy/son, Ryan (Michael Provost), to compete instead alongside new 113 recruit/half-brother Blue (Hunter McVey) against Buck and Eddie.

"It was just an incredible week working with those two, we got a lot closer," McVey says of Stark and Guzman. "They have so much knowledge and wisdom that they were happy to share with me and the others. There was technical sides that we discussed, the crazy stunt side, and what is needed and required of an actor in a position like we are over that many years. And not only from the technical tidbits, but just from how to handle a demanding and chaotic role like this with your family, with your relationships, with your social media presence."

"I think I gained a lot of value from knowing that they were human, as well — and have struggled with some of the things that I struggled with over season 1, of just how demanding and busy it can be and your time apart from family and your loved ones and the pressure in the public eye and the pressure to uphold the *9-1-1* universe and their expectations.... It was just value from all aspects, from those two."

But which — if either — firehouse will reign triumphant at the Firefighter Games? We can't spoil, but let's just say *9-1-1* lives up to its name and provides a...*heated* rivalry?

Eddie (Ryan Guzman) and Buck (Oliver Stark) on '9-1-1: Nashville' crossover.

Jake Giles Netter/Disney

"You can definitely expect a rivalry, that's for sure," says Guzman. "And one that pushes everybody to their limits — to the best and worst versions of themselves. But there's also a lot of comedic moments. There's a lot of heartfelt moments. It goes back to what makes *9-1-1* so great."

And, given that today *9-1-1* was renewed for season 10 and *9-1-1: Nashville* renewed for season 2, its doubtful this'll be the last time *9-1-1* goes country.

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Source: “EW TV”