Season 2 saw many changes for “9-1-1,” many of which stemmed from Abby’s departure. Someone needed to replace Abby as the voice of the call center, and that someone was Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Buck’s big sister. Maddie initially moved to Los Angeles to escape her abusive husband, Doug (played by Hewitt’s real-life husband, Brian Hallisay), and to be with her little brother. When Buck suggests that Maddie, who used to be an emergency room nurse, become a 911 operator, it turns out to be a perfect fit.
While Abby is stoic, Maddie wears her heart on her sleeve. She feels deeply for all the callers because she knows what it’s like to fear for your life. Maddie’s storylines are some of the most melodramatic, but that’s not necessarily bad. If you’re not into melodrama, you’re watching the wrong show. It’s rewarding to watch Maddie get back on her feet after finally leaving Doug, and her relationship with Chimney (Kenneth Choi) is incredibly sweet.
If you’re a fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt, you know she is perfect for a role like this. Maddie cries in nearly every episode, and no one does anguished tears like Hewitt. Though Maddie’s behavior can be erratic at times, her instinct to flee is the result of the trauma she endured, and it’s easy to sympathize with such an open-hearted character.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.