Why Harry Grant Left 9-1-1

Alongside its main cast, 9-1-1 is often praised for its diverse selection of secondary characters. Whether it’s a firefighter’s spouse like Karen Wilson or a sister like Maddie Han, these characters work to elevate the main characters and give them a sense of depth. So, even though they may not appear on-screen very much, they are a deeply important aspect of the show.

One of the show’s most interesting secondary characters is Harry Grant. Not only is he Athena’s youngest son, but he has also dealt with a ton of hardship and strife. Thus, his arc offers a ton of tension and heartache for the viewers to enjoy. Long-term fans of the show will know that Harry fled the show in Season 5 only to appear a few episodes later. But what inspired his departure, and what caused him to come back to LA?

Harry Grant Was Keen to Stay Out of Trouble

Harry Grant is an incredibly likable character, mainly because he arrived on the show as an adorable little boy. As the son of Athena and Michael Grant, it comes as no surprise that he was raised to be a polite and upstanding young man. Although his troubles continued to lead him down a rocky and sometimes criminal path, he still has an admirable set of morals. Thus, even after everything he’s been through, fans still appreciate his headstrong attitude.

After suffering an immense amount of trauma and suffering at the hands of a serial rapist named Jeffery Hudson, Grant began acting out. He would continually get into fights with his mother and Bobby, filling the family’s once-loving home into a living nightmare. A lot of fans also believe that his parent’s divorce only amplified these feelings, as it could be argued that he didn’t have a lot of space to process his feelings. Everything came to a head when he got in trouble for punching another student. In order to get his life back on track, Grant decided to move to Florida to live with his father in Season 5, Episode 11, “Outside Looking In.”

At first, fans were sad to see Harry go. His character may not be as impactful as Christopher Diaz or Denny, but he still added a lot of nuance to the show. His conflict with his mother and stepfather was hard to watch at times, but it was a realistic response considering his trauma. Athena even went as far as to slap her son in the face, which was a controversial approach for a lot of fans but a shocking moment, nevertheless. Although fans believed that when Harry went to Florida, they would see more of Michael and his new partner David, it seemed that the writers were keen to close his chapter on a more somber note. Harry’s move was an earth-shattering moment for the Grants, but a lot of audiences argue that it was for the best. Though Athena obviously loves her son unconditionally, she has a lot of power over him as a mother and as a member of the 118 crew. Thus, by letting him go and live with his father, Athena had a chance to cool off and ensure that she didn’t take her emotions too far.

Grant Didn’t Stay Away for Very Long

Harry Grant was absent throughout Season 6, but when he returned to LA in Season 7, Episode 4, “Buck, Bothered, and Bewildered,” with a whole new look. The character’s original actor, Marcanthonee Jon Reis, declined the chance to return to the show, so he was replaced by Elijah M. Cooper. Unfortunately, Harry didn’t return home with good news. He got in trouble in Miami for punching someone in the face and is now on the run from the local police. Even though he stated that he acted in self-defense, he still committed a crime in the eyes of the law. Of course, Athena and Bobby tried their best to help their son get out of this mess, but there was only so much that they could do. Eventually, Athena encouraged Harry to confess to the police, and he was forced to do 100 hours of community service in California.

Fans were surprised to see Harry once again and were pleased with the recasting. After a brief absence, Harry returned as a man and no longer appeared to be the sensitive little boy he once was. Plus, the recasting was mentioned in a typical tongue-in-cheek fashion. When he arrives at her front door, Athena mentions that she hardly recognizes him. Of course, this line was a reference to the change in actors, but it also emphasizes how much he’s grown while being apart from his mother. He also faced the consequences of his actions, which some fans found quite surprising. Athena Grant is an incredibly important figure in the LAFD and could obviously pull some strings to get her son out of trouble. But, because the Grant family is built on such strong morals and values, fans were pleased to see that Harry was happy to face the consequences, no matter how humiliating they may seem to a young man.

The Boy Gave Audiences More Insight Into Athena’s Troubles

It would be wrong to discuss Harry Grant’s impact on 9-1-1 without exploring his performance as a young boy. Although the character can easily hold his own, his strengths are more apparent when he’s extending Athena’s arc. Though Athena is a fan-favorite character, it’s easy for some audiences to believe that she’s married to the job and that nothing else matters. Yet, Harry’s wide variety of interesting storylines proves that she places being a mother before anything else. In Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” audiences are introduced to Athena’s ex-husband, Michael, who has recently come out as gay. During this huge shift, Athena is keen to keep the family and act as if nothing has changed. But Harry and his sister were incredibly supportive of their father and were excited to see what the future held. Harry’s blatant acceptance of his father highlights his maturity but also works to showcase Athena’s stubbornness. Although the Sergeant acted like her world was falling apart, Harry’s attitude showed her that she hadn’t lost anything and that her life was simply in a state of change, not grief.

Aside from his family troubles, one of Harry’s biggest storylines took place in Season 5, Episode 3, “Desperate Measures.” Jeffery Hudson is one of the show’s most memorable antagonists and began tormenting Athena in Season 3 when she foiled his plan to locate more victims. So, a few years later, he decided to kidnap her son as a way to abuse her even more. This plotpoint was teeming with anxiety and is often regarded as one of the show’s best moments. Although the police were able to capture Hudson and return Harry back to his family safely, the boy suffered a plethora of issues. Again, this plot point allowed Athena’s character to shine through. Even though Hudson was able to put Athena in an incredibly scary and vulnerable position, she was still able to use her professional skills to save her loved ones. This proves that Athena’s dedication to her work is not a flaw; it’s a benefit that ensures that her family remains safe and sound.

Although Harry is yet to make an appearance in Season 8, fans are still eager to learn more about him. As Athena and Bobby’s love continues to grow and blossom, it’s likely that he will still be welcome in their home, even as he delves deeper into adulthood. Whether he decides to move back to Florida or work to clean up his image in LA, fans enjoy seeing this courteous man grow and explore the battles of life. While he doesn’t deserve the things he’s suffered, his stoicism makes him a great asset to this popular procedural drama. Plus, with a new actor at their disposal, viewers hope that the writers will include Harry in more intense storylines in the future.