Oliver Stark (Into The Badlands, MindGamers) has reportedly addressed the online trolls who are against his 9-1-1 plot line involving his character’s bisexuality, according to Deadline. Recently, in an episode of the ABC series, Evan Buckley, played by Stark, came to the realization that his feelings for his friend Louis Ferrigno Jr.’s (Outer Banks, S.W.A.T.) Tommy went beyond a simple “friendship.” Evan and Tommy both shared a kiss.
Stark made a statement on Saturday via Instagram stories: “If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show, I would like you to know that I truly don’t care.”
He also wrote: “This is a show about love and inclusion, It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning, including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses I’ve ever watched.”
According to Deadline, Stark mentions the lesbian marriage of Aisha Hinds’ (Beyond The Lights, Madea Goes To Jail) Henrietta and Tracie Thoms’ (Cold Case, The Devil Wears Prada) Karen Wilson on the 9-1-1 show.
Stark continues his statement: “If one other character finding a new facet to his sexuality and [realizing] his bisexuality is your deal breaker — I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show, You are not required to announce your departure.”
Stark talked about the outpouring support he received from fans during the show’s 100th episode: “Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline, I’ve read so many of your messages and I couldn’t be prouder.”
In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, co-creator Tim Minear (American Horror Story, Firefly) discussed the show making a hundred episodes: “It’s characters that you want in your living room, a found family of heroes, people that run toward danger, We’re coming off of this incredible age of Breaking Bad and The Shield and these kind of morally compromised heroes, but there’s nothing morally compromised about our heroes. They are heroes. They are there to save you, whether they like you or not.”