Angela Bassett’s role in Netflix’s upcoming thriller is a fitting testament to her powerful presence, but it underlines how stagnant her longtime 9-1-1 character, Athena Grant, has become. Bassett has been a mainstay of the procedural up until 9-1-1 season 8, but her character development unfortunately hasn’t extended to her job. Whereas Zero Day will see Bassett assume the presidential role of Evelyn Mitchell, 9-1-1 has kept Athena’s career as a police officer practically the same since the pilot season.
While Sargeant Athena Grant is a force of nature in her own right during the various emergencies in ABC’s first responder drama, Bassett’s performance is limited by her character’s lack of professional development. In contrast, Zero Day is already highly anticipated as one of the most exciting shows coming to Netflix in 2025. Granted, Zero Day is headlined by Robert De Niro, but that doesn’t detract from the power position Bassett is deservedly portraying.
Angela Bassett Plays US President Evelyn Mitchell In Zero Day
Her Character Must Weather A Widespread Cyberattack
Bassett will team up with De Niro to combat the titular “Zero Day,” a cyberattack on the nation wherein the country itself is hacked, leading to train derailments, power outages, and full-blown hysteria on a national level. While De Niro will play former US President George Mullen, Bassett will pull rank as the current leader of the nation. Over the 6-episode miniseries, Angela Bassett’s President Mitchell will navigate a political conspiracy and technology-based terrorism — a dramatically more serious responsibility than she’s had in her years on 9-1-1.
Zero Day will offer a small 9-1-1 reunion as well, with Connie Britton listed in the supporting cast of the upcoming limited series. For context, Britton previously portrayed Abby Clark in 9-1-1 season 1, but she left in the first finale and permanently retired from the role after a brief cameo in 9-1-1 season 3. Ironically, despite being absent for one season, Abby seemed to change more in her short sabbatical than Athena has since 2018.
Her Career Has Stayed Stagnant Since Season 1
Athena has continually engaged in crises well above her pay grade, like piloting an airplane for an emergency landing, saving a sinking cruise ship with her husband Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), and taking over a murder investigation well out of her jurisdiction while visiting her mother in Florida. Although she constantly puts her life on the line, Athena’s work in 9-1-1 is always thankless. While Bobby and the rest of the 118 received medals to commemorate their cruise ship rescue, Athena’s role was completely overlooked. Ultimately, the issue lies not in Athena’s actions but in her job title.
Athena’s purgatorial stint as a police sergeant feels increasingly improbable…
Though she’s deserved more praise for years, 9-1-1 season 8 highlighted Athena’s promotion problem after she injured her leg while pursuing a criminal on foot. Athena— and, by extension, Bassett— has outgrown her role as a patrol cop both mentally and physically. Bassett has a confidence and sophistication about her that demands a higher authority, which is clearly demonstrated by her Zero Day character. The actor as the president does not feel like a stretch in the slightest— rather, Athena’s purgatorial stint as a police sergeant feels increasingly improbable in comparison.
Why 9-1-1 Needs To Finally Give Athena The Recognition She Deserves
It’s Been A Long Time Coming
Athena has often been the solution to conflicts in 9-1-1, but she herself rarely gets credit. Her stories have been sidelined for a while now, which is why Athena and Bobby still have an unresolved housing problem in 9-1-1 season 8. In the time it’s taken for the 118 to get a new captain, regain their old captain, entrap a corrupt congresswoman, and guest star on a “Hotshots” episode, Athena has had nothing change for her. She’s been involved in storylines, but her role has never wavered. To properly utilize Bassett’s unmatched talent, Athena needs something new.
Related
10 Worst Near-Death Experiences In 9-1-1, Ranked
9-1-1 may follow the highs and lows of first-responders, but the ABC procedural puts its characters in as much danger as the people they save.
Without giving her character a new avenue to explore, she will start 9-1-1 season 9 the same way she started all seasons of the police procedural thus far. For such a character-driven show, Athena has been robbed of her dynamic potential. Every exciting plot she’s a part of is only related to her, not truly focused on her. By promoting her to detective, lieutenant, or a special task force, Athena can have individual arcs without needing to overhaul her character. Angela Bassett deserves a change of pace, and Athena getting a promotion in 9-1-1 is the necessary next step.
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Zero Day
- Release Date
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2025 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix
- Writers
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Dee Johnson
