Recently, Rockmond Dunbar left the show as Michael Grant after a behind-the-scenes disagreement about vaccine mandates, Jennifer Love Hewitt is away on maternity leave, meaning her character Maddie and her onscreen partner Chimney (played by Kenneth Choi) are currently AWOL.
9-1-1 Season 5, Episode 11 wanted Fox viewers to think that Eddie might soon be joining them. After his son spent much of the Christmas-themed episode worried that his dad may die answering a call in the next year, Eddie decided that something had to be done.
Speaking to his colleagues, he said that the constant fear of losing his father was “too much” for 10-year-old Christopher to take. And, as such, “I have to make a change. I’m leaving the 118.”
Is Eddie leaving 9-1-1?
Per Guzman’s own Instagram, the answer seems to be no—Eddie may be leaving the 118, but he is not leaving the Fox show.
This seemed to be confirmed by Guzman’s Instagram. On December 3, he posted a selfie with the caption: “Stage 4 Eddie Diaz. Comin soon…” A sign that his character is making a big change, but that his time playing that character is far from over.
What exactly “Stage 4” entails is not clear, but Guzman is dropping hints. His post contains four emojis that seem to correspond to four stages in Eddie’s life. First, an army helmet representing his first stint. Then, a medal, with could represent either the silver star he received for valor or the medallion his late wife Shannon gave him as a good luck charm when he returned to Afghanistan. Third, a fire truck, representing his time on 9-1-1. Last of all, there’s a bird, a pigeon to be exact. Exactly what that means is sure to be revealed in March 2022 when Season 5 recommences.
Even had Guzman not hinted at his character’s fate, it seems unlikely that the show could afford to lose another cast member this season. Plus, Guzman did not release a good-bye message, as has become fairly standard for people departing a network show.
When Dunbar left, for example, he released a statement to Deadline reading: “I applied for religious and medical accommodations pursuant to the law and unfortunately was denied by my employer. My sincerely held beliefs and private medical history are very intimate and personal aspects of my life that I do not publicly discuss and have no desire to start now. I’ve been an actor in this business for 30 years, but my greatest roles are as a husband and father to our 4 small children. As a man that walks in faith, I look forward to what the future holds.”
TV Insider also reported that the character is not set to leave the Fox show yet.
9-1-1 Season 5 returns in March 2022 on Fox; All episodes so far are streaming on Hulu.
