“I’m in Mourning”: Angela Bassett Didn’t Make the Choice to Kill Off Peter Krause in ‘9-1-1’

Bobby Nash’s death on 9-1-1 was shocking to fans, but it seems like the cast wasn’t prepared for his departure either. Bobby, …

Bobby Nash’s death on 9-1-1 was shocking to fans, but it seems like the cast wasn’t prepared for his departure either. Bobby, played by Peter Krause, was a beloved fixture of Station 118. His wife, Athena Grant-Nash, was seemingly not in on the shocking fate of Bobby. Actress Angela Bassett plays Athena on the show and shared that she understands the upset of fans and made it clear that it was not her choice to say goodbye to the captain of Station 118.

Bassett was at the Met Gala this year when PEOPLE spoke with the actress about her role as Athena. She shared that she is still upset about Bobby’s passing. “I’m in mourning,” she told the outlet. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my choice. I don’t know.” But she said that she also didn’t want to fully say goodbye to Bobby yet. She told fans to “Keep hope alive. Maybe he’ll return in my dreams, you know, my memories.”

But Bassett also shared that when the cast heard the news of Bobby’s death, she and Krause thought it was “inconceivable,” and shared that the two “just looked at each other.” In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bassett explained that when everyone heard, Krause had to comfort the cast. “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.”

When Bobby’s death became known by fans, many were pleading for the show to bring him back. But Bassett shared a lovely message for Krause, reminding fans that the cast was also losing their leader and the man who helped bring the show to life from the very beginning. She took to Instagram to post about her love and appreciation for Krause:

“For eight seasons, this kind, funny, compassionate, talented actor became not only my trusted colleague, but also a dear friend. Peter Krause as Bobby Nash helped to introduce 9-1-1 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. Peter’s Bobby Nash will be missed but his character will never be forgotten. He is forever a part of our family. We should all give Peter a lot of love as he expands beyond ‘the 118’ and into all adventures that await him. Love you, my friend. Athena will never be the same.”