Why Michael Grant Left 9-1-1, Explained
For the first 5 seasons of ABC’s 9-1-1, Rockmond Dunbar played a prominent role as the husband — and then ex-husband — of Athena Grant (Angela Bassett). Over time, Athena and Michael, who came out in Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” repaired their relationship so that they could co-parent their children, and Michael even built a close friendship with Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) after he and Athena got together. Michael eventually fell in love with a doctor, and it was their relationship that led to Michael’s departure in Season 5.
9-1-1, which debuted on Fox in January 2018, quickly became one of television’s most popular shows. Set in Los Angeles, 9-1-1 follows the firefighters and paramedics of the LAFD’s Firehouse 118 as they work with the LAPD and 9-1-1 dispatch to serve their city. 9-1-1 moved to ABC between seasons 6 and 7, and so far, the move has only been positive for the show, which is now in its eighth season and continues to be the #1 scripted show on Thursday nights.
Who is Michael Grant?
When Season 1 of 9-1-1 began, Athena Grant had just entered a difficult time in her marriage. Her husband, Michael, had just told her that he was gay, and she felt betrayed and lied to. In the scene that introduces Athena’s family in Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” Michael decides that it is time to tell their children, who can tell that something is wrong. May takes it poorly, and Athena and Michael argue, with him claiming that she always knew deep down and her insisting that she didn’t. By the end of Season 1, Episode 2, “Let Go,” Athena has also learned that Michael has met someone and doesn’t want to be in a celibate marriage. They decide to get divorced in Season 1, Episode 8, “Karma’s a Bitch,” for the sake of their kids, May (Corinne Massiah) and Harry (Marcanthonee Reis). That decision also saves the friendship between Michael and Athena, which becomes incredibly important to them both.
Michael is an architect, which is a job that he loves, though he does struggle to find work later in Season 4 when the pandemic has begun. He has a good relationship with both Harry and May, who are with him when he’s pulled over by the police in Season 3, Episode 5, “Rage,” which results in Harry nearly being shot by a young, white police officer. Michael works hard to build a relationship with Harry, who is named after Michael’s father, especially after Harry is kidnapped in Season 5, Episode 2, “Desperate Times.” Michael’s relationship with his kids and with Athena made him an important part of the 9-1-1 family from the very first episode.
Michael Grant and Bobby Nash Built a Meaningful Relationship
One of Michael’s most endearing qualities is how quickly he embraced the idea that Athena was dating someone new and then welcomed Bobby into the Grant family. When Athena is worried about taking her relationship with Bobby public in Season 2, Episode 1, “Under Pressure,” Michael is the one who reassures her that not only was their marriage not a failure — they have two amazing kids, and they are still friends — but that she should let herself be happy. He’s also the one who invites Bobby in for dinner in Season 2, Episode 3, “Help Is Not Coming,” when he stops by to see Athena after the earthquake, which was 9-1-1‘s opening disaster for Season 2, and he helps Athena when she’s concerned about what Bobby’s answer will be when she tells him that she wants him to move in.
Though Michael is incredibly supportive of the idea of Bobby and Athena being together, he and Bobby do have a tough moment in Season 2, Episode 14, “Broken.” Bobby and Athena are engaged, and when Harry’s class goes to the 118 for a field trip, Michael overhears Harry talking about how cool his “new dad” is. Later in the episode, Harry and his neighborhood friend try to pretend they are firefighters and light the friend’s lawn on fire. Michael is upset with Harry, who then runs away to the firehouse. Michael and Bobby argue about Bobby putting ideas in Harry’s head about being a firefighter, and Michael tells Bobby that he is not Harry’s father. After losing his own children, one of Bobby’s fears is that Harry or May will get upset with him and tell him that he’s not their father because he knows he isn’t — even if he is about to become their stepfather.
I have had 18 years with my daughter. I have watched her grow into an amazing, strong young woman. But my son — I want to be there with him. I want to see him grow up. And I don’t know if I will be. If something happens to me, I need someone — I need you to help keep me and my father alive for him.
— Michael to Bobby in Season 3, Episode 13, “Pinned”
Ultimately, Bobby and Michael are able to resolve things, especially once Michael admits that it wasn’t just what happened with Harry that is bothering him — he has also broken up with Glenn, the man he met while still married to Athena. It opens up their relationship, and Michael and Bobby are there for each other various times through the years. After Athena wakes up to Michael in her bed while Bobby is at work in Season 3, Episode 10, “Christmas Spirit,” Michael learns that he has a brain tumor, and Bobby is the first one he tells. When Athena is attacked in Season 3, Episode 17, “Powerless,” and Bobby needs an outlet that isn’t alcohol, Michael encourages him to start tearing down the fireplace in their home — an act which Athena isn’t particularly pleased about. And in 9-1-1‘s Season 4, Episode 7, “There Goes the Neighborhood,” Athena sends Bobby over to Michael’s when she thinks he needs a friend to talk to, though Athena should definitely know better because Bobby only fuels Michael’s desire to solve a neighbor-related mystery, which nearly gets Michael killed.
Michael Met His Boyfriend on Athena’s Worst Day
After dealing with his brain tumor for several episodes, Michael goes in for some tests at the beginning of Season 3, Episode 17, “Powerless.” Just as he’s about to leave the hospital, the power goes out in Los Angeles, leaving Michael stuck in an elevator with a good-looking doctor. They have a great conversation, but when the lights come back on and the doors open, Michael’s phone rings. It’s Bobby, who has called to tell him that Athena has been attacked — just one of the many near-death experiences on 9-1-1. Michael races out of the hospital, leaving the man in the elevator behind.
When Michael returns to the hospital for his follow-up appointment in Season 3, Episode 18, “What’s Next?” he is on the phone with Athena, telling her that his tumor has shrunk, when he sees the same man in the elevator again. This time, on the ride up, Michael gets his name — and his phone number. By the time Season 4, Episode 1, “The New Abnormal,” rolls around, Michael and Dr. David Hale (La Monde Byrd), a neurosurgeon, have moved in together. The pandemic led them to moving in faster than either of them intended, but they’ve been together ever since.
Why Did Michael Grant Leave 9-1-1?
After spending the beginning of Season 5 helping Harry cope with having been kidnapped, Michael learns in Season 5, Episode 8, “Defend in Place,” that David has been asked to join some of his friends in Haiti and provide medical care for people recovering from a hurricane. Michael supports David, but he also realizes that he wants to be with him for the rest of his life and tells Athena, Bobby, and the kids that he wants to propose. He decides on a watch, dresses up — with Athena’s help over the phone — and then arrives at David’s hospital just in time to see an explosion on the 4th floor. For most of “Defend in Place,” Michael has to stand outside and wait — and it gets worse when everyone in the building has been evacuated except for David, who was in surgery when the explosion occurred. Athena and Michael tell Bobby, who goes back in for David and then calls on his fellow firefighters to help keep the fire away from the OR so that David can finish his surgery.
The departure of Michael Grant came as a surprise to many, including Rockmond Dunbar, who had played the character since 2018. After the spread of COVID-19, Disney implemented a vaccine mandate for all of its actors. Dunbar reportedly requested both a medical exemption and a religious exemption and was denied, which led to his character being written off the show. He has since sued Disney for discrimination .
When David finally leaves the hospital, he and Michael get engaged, and later, while celebrating with their family, Michael makes another announcement. He has decided to join David in Haiti and lend his skills as an architect and builder to the recovery efforts. It’s a moment that is equally joyous and sad, but it’s actually a beautiful open ending for the character. Sending him to Haiti gives him the opportunity to do something different with his life while still leaving room for him to return to Los Angeles to see his family. Michael’s presence on the show and his relationships with Athena and Bobby, in particular, created important stepping stones for the characters, and fans hope to see Michael return to 9-1-1 one day.
