At a Glance
- Oliver Stark intentionally skips New Year’s resolutions, saying change can happen “on any random Tuesday”
- The 9-1-1 star has played firefighter Evan “Buck” Buckley since the show’s January 2018 premiere
- Season 9’s midseason premiere aired January 8 on ABC
- Why it matters: His perspective offers an alternative approach to self-improvement outside traditional annual goal-setting
Oliver Stark doesn’t worry about broken New Year’s promises-he simply refuses to make them. The 34-year-old actor shared his intentional approach to avoiding resolutions in an exclusive conversation with News Of Losangeles.
Why Stark Rejects Resolution Culture
“I am not a New Year’s resolution person – and very intentionally – not because I don’t think I [will] stick to it,” Stark explains. “I just tend to think that if there’s something I would like to change, I can do that on any random Tuesday.”
This philosophy reflects his belief in continuous self-improvement rather than annual milestone-based changes. The London-born actor considers himself “pretty self-aware” and prefers making “little adjustments” throughout the year rather than waiting for January 1st.
“Maybe I should be,” he adds with characteristic humility. “Maybe I’m missing a trick here, and I should set myself some big goal as Jan. 1 rolls around.”
The Physical Demands of Playing Buck
Stark’s role as firefighter Evan “Buck” Buckley in 9-1-1 has required significant physical commitment since the series launched in January 2018. The Ryan Murphy-created drama follows Los Angeles first responders through high-pressure professional and personal challenges.
The actor genuinely enjoys the show’s demanding action sequences, finding satisfaction in their execution.
“I really enjoy that aspect of the show,” he says of shooting intense scenes. “And something I discovered quite recently is that it’s fun to remind yourself that you’re not all that fragile.”
This mindset shift has transformed how he approaches physically challenging workdays.
“You can take a little hit here and there, and you can put yourself in these situations,” Stark notes, acknowledging the production’s comprehensive safety protocols. “It’s fun to go through it a little bit. It’s fun when my body aches at the end of the day, and I say, ‘Wow, that was a really hard one.'”
The sense of accomplishment extends beyond individual achievement to cast-wide camaraderie.
“There’s a nice feeling of achievement that comes with that,” he continues. “I do speak for the whole cast – we all really love getting amongst it and getting our hands dirty and putting ourselves there as much as they’ll let us and as much as is feasibly safe.”
Representing Buck’s Bisexuality Journey
Stark has found particular meaning in portraying Buck’s evolving understanding of his sexuality. During Bi Visibility Day on September 23, he used his Instagram Stories to share thoughtful reflections with fans.
“One of my biggest joys of playing Buck” has been “getting to tell the story of him discovering his bisexuality,” Stark revealed in his social media message.
The character’s journey reached a significant milestone in season 7’s 100th episode when Buck shared his first romantic moment with a man, kissing Tommy (played by Lou Ferrigno Jr.) after years of dating women exclusively.
“I hope, truly, that we have offered up some kind of positive representation,” Stark said. “I’m really super proud of getting to be a part of this storyline.”
Looking toward future episodes, the actor expressed enthusiasm for further developing this aspect of Buck’s character.
“I’m excited to delve deeper and deeper into it,” he added. “It’s just such an honor to get to be a part of telling this story, so thank you, guys.”
What’s Next for 9-1-1
The series continues its ninth season with new episodes airing Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Viewers can stream episodes the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
The show’s midseason premiere on January 8 marked the latest chapter in the long-running drama’s exploration of emergency responders’ lives. Since its debut nearly seven years ago, 9-1-1 has maintained its focus on both the professional challenges and personal growth of its characters.
Stark’s portrayal of Buck has evolved significantly from the character’s introduction, with recent seasons exploring deeper emotional territory alongside the show’s trademark action sequences.
Key Takeaways
- Oliver Stark purposefully avoids New Year’s resolutions, preferring year-round personal growth
- His role as Buck in 9-1-1 combines physical stunt work with emotional character development
- The actor takes pride in representing Buck’s bisexuality journey as positive LGBTQ+ representation
- Season 9 continues Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with next-day streaming available
