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USA Insider 9-1-1

Tsunamis, Fires, And Car Accidents – Where Exactly Does '9-1-1' Take Place?

A series as thrilling as “9-1-1” could only take place in an equally thrilling city.

By Caitlin Busch
911 Where Is The Show Located

A series as thrilling as “9-1-1” could only take place in an equally thrilling city. That’s why the first responders of the 118 and regularly find themselves rushing around Los Angeles to put out fires, treat the wounded, and rescue newborn babies from walls. (OK, that last one only happened once, but never say never again.)

Now that “9-1-1” has found a new home on USA Network, viewers new and old have plenty to look forward to. For those who need a refresher or are new to the series, “9-1-1” follows first responders in the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments as well as at a 911 call center in the city. Each episode sees the crew work through life-or-death stakes with L.A. — glitz, glam, and disaster — as a backdrop.

Series co-creator and L.A. resident Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story,” “Nip/Tuck”) was inspired to build the show after a family health scare. In 2018, Murphy shared a story of a “traumatic” night when his then-11-month-old son, Ford, stopped breathing.

“We called 911. Obviously, we were in panic and we were doing CPR and they showed up at 2 a.m. in the morning. There were 4 responders. They were incredibly … calm and nurturing. They forced me to leave the room,” Murphy explained at the winter 2018 Television Critics Association press tour, per “PEOPLE.” “They brought him back to life.”

Once his son was safe, Murphy found himself thinking about the first responders. 

“I’m very struck by what brave people they were and how strong they were,” he said. “So from that moment, my interest became their lives and how they show up and be such a balance.” 

That kind of professionalism and bravery in the face of impending tragedy is needed in a city as large and oft-chaotic as Los Angeles, so it’s no wonder the characters on “9-1-1” are so heroic. 

“9-1-1” stars Angela Bassett as LAPD patrol sergeant Athena Grant-Nash, who just so happens to be married to Peter Krause’s Robert “Bobby” Nash, the LAFD Station 118 captain. Other key characters include Maddie Kendall (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), Henrietta “Hen” Wilson (Aisha Hinds), Howie “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), Michael Grant (Rockmond Dunbar), May Grant (Corinne Massiah) and Harry Grant (Marcanthonee Reis). 

Created by Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, “9-1-1” originally premiered in 2018 on Fox, but past episodes have found a new home on USA. Four reruns of the show will air in order every Thursday on USA starting at 7/6c.  

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