‘9-1-1’s Gavin Stenhouse On The Hot Priest’s Return, Eddie’s Emotional Confessions, And More
The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for the return of 9-1-1‘s resident Hot Priest. And today my prayers were finally answered.
Six years after Gavin Stenhouse appeared as a priest in four episodes of 9-1-1, he received an unexpected call to return to the hit first responder drama in its eighth season.
Though his phone didn’t blast Katy Perry’s “Firework” when it rang like his character’s did in the 2018 pilot, he was still thrilled to get the call and eager to return to such a “lovely” set.
“I was so excited to get the call and I was really excited to come back. I didn’t expect to come back. Not at all. But it’s always an exciting time when I get the availability check for 9-1-1, because the set is so unique,” Stenhouse told Decider over Zoom. “They have so much to do and so little time. Everyone’s spirits are always really high and there’s such a sense of camaraderie on set… It really feels like the heart of that show, which is the 118.”
Though Stenhouse was introduced as a priest who helped Bobby (Peter Krause) navigate grief and addiction back in Season 1, as Decider teased in an exclusive clip, Stenhouse’s “Hot Priest” returns to guide Eddie (Ryan Guzman) through tough times in Season 8, Episode 6, “Confessions.”
To celebrate getting back in the confessional, Stenhouse blessed Decider with a chat about everything from his friendship with 9-1-1‘s Kenneth Choi and his favorite one-on-one scenes to his thoughts on those Fleabag “Hot Priest” comparisons, his hopes for Father Brian’s future (yes, he has a name!), and more.
DECIDER: Before we dive in, I just have to say that once again I was not expecting an accent from you! This show is famous for it shocking accent work, I’m in awe. [Laughs]
GAVIN STENHOUSE: [Laughs] I know, and it’s poignant given the 119 storyline, right?
Oh totally. To start, I wanted to take it back to 2018, because you first appeared in 9-1-1‘s pilot. What do you remember about joining the show?
Wow. Was that 2018? I don’t remember much about the audition process, but Kenny Choi, who plays Chimney, is actually one of my closest friends. We did a TV show on CBC together back in 2014 called Allegiance, which went one season. And he was like my sparring buddy on that show. I remember getting that pilot and going to shoot, and The Wolf of Wall Street had just come out and I was so blown away and star-struck by Kenny’s performance. When I turned up to the hotel where we were going to be shooting in New York and I met him, I was so stars-truck and I was really nervous to meet him. And he was like, “Hey, buddy. Come on, grab a beer.” He was so friendly. And I said, “Yeah.” So when I got this 9-1-1 role I like to do a deep dive on who I’m working with, and so I called him up and I said, “Hey, dude! I just got this role. Do you know any of these actors?” And he was like, “Whoa, wait! You got the 9-1-1, role? I just got a series regular on that!” And I was like “OH! We’re going to be working together!”
Oh my gosh, I love that so much.
Yeah. We never got to work together yet, but it was a really nice moment. And I still see Kenny all the time. But that’s the one thing I remember. Calling him up, and I’m going,”Wait! Wait! You got the role?! You got the role!?”
That’s so perfect. You have to come back on again to work with him now. In your early Season 1 and Season 2 episodes you did get to share scenes with the great Peter Krause. What was it like working with him in those pews?
Honestly, he’s such a professional, obviously. But he’s also really warm and understanding. And we got into a deep conversation about what work was like for him during his early 30s and mid 30s, and transitioning as a slightly baby faced performer — transitioning this bridge between younger-looking into young dad roles, I guess. And he had so many pearls of wisdom to give me and advice, and it really felt like not a mentorship exactly, but like a very privileged moment to be able to have this person who’s in such a place of experience and success, just like reel off a whole bunch of sage advice to you. And I didn’t even have to ask for it. He was just giving it to me and I was like, “Thank you so much.” So that was my experience. And Brad Buecker as well directed that pilot, if I remember correctly. And Brad directed me in one of my first jobs in American TV, which was American Horror Story Season 3, the one that was set in New Orleans.
We love a Ryan Murphy connection.
Yeah! So it was nice to reconnect with Brad as well. It was a really fun-filled day.
When you first took the role did you have any idea you might return this far down the line? What was it like getting that Season 8 call?
I was so excited to get the call and I was really excited to come back. I didn’t expect to come back. Not at all. But it’s always an exciting time when I get the availability check for 9-1-1, because the set is so unique. They have so much to do and so little time. And everyones spirits are always really high and there’s such a sense of camaraderie on set, even though there’s maybe three or four episodes shooting all at once and different units and different areas. But it really feels like the heart of that show, which is the 118. It feels like there’s a camaraderie that’s always here. So it’s always a pleasure.
In Season 8, Episode 6 you play a crucial role in Eddie’s journey and evolution. What was it like working one-on-one with Ryan Guzman?
It’s so nice. I’ve met Ryan a couple of times before and he’s got this big, strong, fighter personality, but he’s so sweet and empathetic. I know it’s quite cliché to say, but he’s just got this heart of gold. And so especially with my scenes, they get to be one-on-one —
whether it’s me and Pete hanging out in the green room or me and Ryan. It’s just nice to
be able to have those conversations and it’s a really nice time to go to work and get to hang out with these really lovely people.
I was particularly excited about the juice bar scene, because we get to see you outside of the church. We get to hear Father Brian’s name. We get this amazing dialogue between him and Eddie about him punishing himself, and his son, and his mustache.
Yeah, it’s so well-written. That scene, when I read it, it was just so heartfelt and warm. And I think it speaks to a lot of people. I think I relate to it. I relate to the times when I feel like I’m not doing enough. There are moments where I feel like I’m going to skip breakfast or I have these little moments of punishment. And it’s nice to have a character in the show put words to those feelings, because sometimes they’re so tangential or ethereal that you can’t understand why you’re doing it. And then when someone points that out to you it’s like, “Yeah, that’s something I should talk to my therapist about.”
Well Eddie makes some great progress at the end of the episode, but there’s still more he has to work through. Do you think we’ve seen the last of him and Father Brian this season?
I hope not. I think that what Eddie’s going through is just so tough. And it’s not just the Band-Aid cure-all thing that he can go through where all of a sudden he shaves his mustache and he’s got this new lease on life and an acceptance that he’s been separated from his son. I think that there are going to be moments when he’s going to seek advice — whether it’s from Bobby or from Father Brian, who knows? But I hope so, because it’s such a lovely set to work on.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel like right now Eddie and Bobby don’t have any idea they share this crucial connection in your character. I sort of love the serendipity of that. But at the same time, I desperately want them to bond over you.
That’s a good point. Yeah, I just realized that, because I think one of the original ideas was maybe that Bobby had sent him to me. But no, he just comes into the church for the first time in 20 plus years. So there’s potentially a plot line there.
It’s now time to ask if you are familiar with the TV show Fleabag at all.
[Laughs] I am.
Yes, we’re here. We’ve reached this part of the interview. [Laughs] I’m sure you know that Andrew Scott went viral as the “Hot Priest.” Adam Brody recently starred as a Hot Rabbi in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This. And 9-1-1 fans have essentially inducted you into this Hot Religious Leaders group. How does that feel?
[Laughs] It seems like it’s the year for it, so I’m here for it. I’m very flattered, and I do feel my cheeks starting to go a little bit red.
Outside of Eddie’s storyline this season, would you be open to returning to the show again in the future? Whether someone else on the 118 needs guidance, or you’re in an emergency of your own perhaps? I mean, now you need to be on-screen with Kenny.
Oh my god, always. Always. It’s such an honor to work with these guys, and the creatives, and to be able to put life into those words. The writing is so excellent. It’s a joy and a privilege to do it every time.
Ahead of this week’s episode I rewatched the pilot, and I just have to say your hilarious, quintessential Ryan Murphy intro with your phone blaring Katy Perry’s “Firework” at the most serious moment is so iconic. I’ll never forget watching that and laughing out loud because it really helped set the tone for the whole series. When you look back on your 9-1-1 journey, is there a favorite scene or on-set memory you can share with us?
I think that the very first scene when I was in the confessional and my phone goes off. It’s so representative of what was happening at the time; this kind of younger, slightly starstruck actor performing with this very, veteran, cool guy. That mirrored what was happening in fiction as well. And it was very easy scene to play. There was very little work involved. It was just more fun. I remember that really fondly. And I really like how far Father Brian’s come as well — from this awkward priest who’s not very comfortable in the confessional to this guy who holds his own space now.
Before I let you go, is there anything else about playing this character or your experience on the show that you want to share with fans?
I think another one of my favorite parts of being on that show is that in all of the chaos and all of the Bee-nados and all of the airplane crashes, it’s so nice to be the one that has this grounded effect. There tends to be these anchor points in the episodes, and the way they’re written, those anchor points become so heartfelt and meaningful, and to be the one saying those words is quite special.
I’ve also got a secret desire — because I’m a rock climber — that maybe Father Brian is secretly a rock climber and gets to go rock climbing at some point on the show.
OK, that sounds like a great emergency.
Yeah, an emergency out of Malibu. Maybe Father Brian’s the one who needs help.
