9-1-1 star Oliver Stark knows the responsibility that comes with representing

the LGBTQIA+ community on screen; his character, Evan “Buck” Buckley, came

out as bisexual on the firefighter drama last year. But despite his newfound

fame — and the many newcomers on the show — Stark denies any “pressure” to nail the role. “There’s obviously pride and a desire to do good, and for [Buck] to represent in a positive way. But I don’t put too much pressure on myself,” Stark, 33, exclusively told Us Weekly when discussing the character’s queer evolution. “Someone called me a ‘bisexual bisexual’ in an interview last year, which I kind of liked. But when I’m working on a day-to-day basis, I don’t think about it that way. I just think about it in terms of, ‘Let me play Buck, and this is what he’s going through and this is what he’s dealing with right now.’ And that in itself, I think, is a better representation — a bisexual character just living his life.”

Stark, who has played Buck on the ABC series since its 2018 debut, “really wanted” the sexual awakening storyline for Buck, telling Us that he was “a big fan of supporting it” when it was first brought up to him. And while much of the crafting of Buck’s journey is in the hands of others — like 9-1-1 host Tim Minear — Stark’s “energy” is still about “playing each scene in the moment” and leaning into the “truth” of who the character really is. “That in itself is then the performance,” he explains. “So I’m not consciously like, ‘Okay, which leg do I have to put out here to best portray this in a broader sense?’ I’m just trying to play him as someone who’s actually living in these moments, because that’s the real life of this bisexual character.

So I don’t feel too much pressure in that regard, no more than I ever have playing him. I’m just playing him authentically.” Ryan Guzman says this will be the “beginning” of Buck and Eddie’s romance. Being a fan-favorite character isn’t anything new for Stark; Known for his dedication to any situation, Buck has been endearing since the show’s beginning and remains an integral part of the Station 118 family. His bisexuality simply added another layer to the character, a plot point introduced in season 7 and shortly after 9-1-1 moved from Fox to ABC. Season 8 continues to delve deeper into Buck’s romantic journey, with episode 5 titled “Masks,” introducing his ongoing romance with boyfriend Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr.). The Halloween-inspired episode aired on Thursday, October 24 and saw the pair overcome Buck’s many injuries, which he believes are the result of a curse inflicted by a mummy.

The plot may have been played for laughs, but it also served as a “re-introduction” of the new couple into their everyday lives.

“I guess it was great that Buck was taken care of after he injured his shoulder. It was great to see that respect and that aspect [of their relationship],” he told Us.

“I don’t know many partners who would jump in and be like, ‘You’re right. You’re cursed. How are we supposed to fight this?’ So I can’t really blame him for that,” Stark said with a laugh, referring to Tommy’s hesitation to support Buck’s theories. “And then, you know, he shows up at the end. … I think that was great. It was a nice little reminder for the audience, because, obviously, we haven’t seen him in a while.”

Tommy wasn’t the only character who showed up for Buck throughout the episode, though. His best friend Eddie (Ryan Guzman) was also by his buddy’s side for most of the scene. Stark said that getting to work with both Ferrigno Jr. and Guzman on set was always a “great” experience — especially when he asked him to sit back and watch the duo in action.

“It’s funny to say this, but [Ryan and Lou] in particular really get along, I think,” he explained. “They really get along, so it’s great. I just love seeing that. But we have a good time, and I love the dynamic there, and the dynamic in the scenes where Eddie and Tommy fight Buck.”

There are quite a few scenes with the trio together throughout “Masks,” from moments at Buck’s apartment to the hospital, with both men serving as a constant support system for Buck as he navigates his “curse.” When asked what Eddie’s constant appearances might mean on a deeper level — some fans have questioned whether there’s something deeper than the friendship between Buck and Eddie over the seasons — Stark paused before offering a thoughtful explanation.