Athena Grant, played by Angela Bassett, has been the heart and soul of the police storyline on ABC’s 9-1-1 for eight seasons. As a Field Sergeant for the Los Angeles Police Department, Athena is one of the most independent and strong-willed characters on the show.
From the very beginning, we have seen her fearlessly tackle cases, save lives, and serve the citizens of Los Angeles with dedication and skill. She’s been a loving wife to Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), and her close friendship with Hen Wilson (Aisha Hinds) shows how much she cares for the people in her life.
However, Athena is not someone who relies on others when it comes to police work. She has always preferred to work alone, and over the years, she has gotten used to solving cases solo.
But as we go deeper into Season 8, it’s becoming clear that Athena — and 9-1-1 — could benefit from shaking things up a bit. Adding a partner for Athena could open up new opportunities for both her character and the series as a whole.
Athena Grant’s Independent Nature
Since 9-1-1 premiered, Athena has shown us that she’s a one-woman force to be reckoned with. Her career in law enforcement has spanned decades, and she’s a veteran who has seen it all. Athena’s instincts are sharp, and her knowledge of the streets gives her an edge over even the most experienced criminals.
She’s tough, smart, and always in control of any situation. That control has defined Athena’s character, especially when it comes to her role as a police officer.
Athena’s strong will and confidence mean that she rarely looks to others for help. She trusts her own abilities and has consistently proven that she can handle anything thrown her way. Whether she’s managing intense crime scenes, taking down dangerous criminals, or supporting her family, Athena does it all with poise and authority.
Over time, her approach has led her to work solo, relying only on herself to solve cases. While other officers come and go in the LAPD, Athena has remained a constant, operating at her own high level of professionalism.
Early in her career, Athena had a partner, but it’s been many years since she shared her squad car with anyone else. This is largely because most officers don’t live up to Athena’s strict expectations. She demands excellence in everything she does, and she’s not afraid to call out others when they fall short.
Athena’s independent nature has become a defining characteristic, and it has been a key part of her storyline. Fans have come to expect that Athena will handle every case on her own, using her instincts and experience to bring justice to Los Angeles.
However, this self-reliance can also make Athena seem isolated. While her independence is a strength, it can also prevent her from growing as a character.
Over eight seasons, we’ve seen Athena solve case after case without any significant changes to her work style. While this has been exciting to watch, there is a growing sense that Athena might be ready for something new. And that “something” could come in the form of a new partner.
The Need for a Partner
After years of working alone, the idea of giving Athena a partner could bring fresh energy to 9-1-1. A new character who works alongside Athena would not only add a new dynamic to the show, but it would also challenge Athena in ways we haven’t seen before.
Although Athena has mastered the art of solo crime-solving, working with a partner could push her to show different aspects of her personality and skill set. Athena is always in control, but adding a partner could force her to loosen up and adapt to new ways of solving problems.
One of the key reasons why Athena could benefit from a partner is that it would allow her character to grow. We know Athena as the capable, no-nonsense cop who doesn’t need anyone’s help. But if she were to have a partner, she might have to step outside of her comfort zone.
Working with someone else could show Athena that collaboration can be just as effective as working alone. It could also give her the opportunity to mentor a younger officer, passing on her wisdom and experience while learning to embrace the benefits of teamwork.
The idea of Athena taking on a mentoring role was teased in Season 8, when she worked with a younger officer named Gem (Carter Young). In these scenes, we saw Athena guide Gem through a high-pressure situation, helping her land a pilot-less plane safely.
This moment highlighted Athena’s ability to teach and support others, even though she usually prefers to work alone. It was a view into what could happen if Athena had a more permanent partner: someone she could mentor, challenge, and learn from over time.
A younger partner would be the perfect fit for Athena. Throughout the series, we’ve seen her juggle her professional and personal responsibilities, including raising her children, May (Corinne Massiah) and Harry (Elijah M. Cooper).
Now that her kids are older and more independent, Athena may be subconsciously searching for someone else to guide and protect.
A young, fresh-faced officer could bring out Athena’s nurturing side, as well as her tough love approach. Fans of the show have always loved seeing Athena in “mama bear” mode, and giving her a rookie partner would let that side of her shine in a professional setting.
How a New Partner Could Change 9-1-1
Introducing a new police officer to work with Athena wouldn’t just benefit her character—it would also provide a fresh direction for 9-1-1 as a whole. For much of the series, the police storylines have focused solely on Athena, while the fire department storylines have centered around the members of the 118 Firehouse.
While Athena’s cases are always compelling, adding another police character could offer new, more varied storylines that go beyond Athena working alone.
Over the years, 9-1-1 has become known for its high-stakes emergency situations, often featuring the firefighters and paramedics from the 118. While these scenes are exciting, they tend to overshadow the police-related plots.
By giving Athena a partner, the show could dedicate more time to police investigations and create a balance between the fire and police storylines.
This would also allow for more in-depth police cases, as the dynamic between Athena and her partner could add complexity to the investigations.
Moreover, a new partner for Athena would open the door for character growth on both sides. Athena’s tough, no-nonsense attitude would contrast with the energy of a younger, less experienced officer.
This dynamic could create tension, humor, and emotional depth, as Athena learns to adjust her solo approach and her partner strives to meet her high expectations.
The mentor-mentee relationship would give the show an exciting new angle to show, especially if Athena’s partner is someone who challenges her in unexpected ways.
From a casting perspective, bringing in a younger officer to work with Athena would inject new life into 9-1-1. The show has introduced new characters occasionally, like Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), but the core cast has remained mostly unchanged for several seasons.
A fresh face would add a new spark to the series, particularly if they were paired with Athena. Angela Bassett has been phenomenal in her role, and watching her interact with a new co-star could create some great on-screen moments.
Finally, Athena’s new partner wouldn’t just be good for 9-1-1—it would also be good for Athena. Over the course of eight seasons, we’ve seen her handle almost everything life throws her way, from dangerous criminals to personal family crises.
But giving Athena a partner could allow her to show different sides of herself. She might have to rely on someone else for a change, opening the door for vulnerability and growth. It would be fascinating to see Athena work through the challenges of trusting someone new while continuing to be the fierce, capable cop we all know and love.
A Fresh Start for Athena
While Athena has been a lone wolf on 9-1-1 for many years, Season 8 could be the perfect time to introduce a partner for her. A younger officer would not only give Athena the chance to mentor and guide someone, but it would also force her to adapt and grow in new ways.
A new partner would bring out different aspects of Athena’s character, allowing her to show more of her nurturing side while still being the tough, determined cop she’s always been.
Moreover, adding a partner would open up exciting new storylines for 9-1-1. The series could show police cases in greater depth, with Athena and her partner working together to solve crimes. This would provide a balance to the fire department’s emergencies, giving viewers a more well-rounded look at the city’s first responders.
In the end, Athena is one of the best cops on television, and giving her a partner would only enhance her character and the show.
Whether she’s mentoring a young officer or learning to collaborate with someone new, Athena’s journey with a partner would be thrilling to watch. And who wouldn’t want to see more scenes featuring her signature sassy attitude as she takes a rookie under her wing?
New episodes of 9-1-1 air on ABC every Thursday night, and they’re available to stream the next day on Hulu.
