UNCHAINED OLIVER STARK

The British actor steps out of uniform to reveal a more intimate side. Amid loss and reinvention, Oliver Stark shares with Xmag his thoughts on pain, emotional connection and the value of simplicity. A thoughtful conversation that touches on photography, the body, and the future of "Buck".

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There's a quiet steadiness to Oliver Stark. It's not the kind that demands attention, but the kind that carries the weight of years spent navigating between high-stakes fire rescues and quiet hallway breakdowns — on screen and beyond. Raised in North West London, Stark speaks of home with unmistakable affection. “It will forever be my proper home. I was lucky to grow up in a very loving family,” he shares. Acting, he explains, was always part of his life in some form, but it wasn’t until he was 18 that the path became clear: “I decided it was worth pursuing something I loved.”

Long before ‘9-1-1’, Stark's first sets were student films — intimate, chaotic, collaborative. And while he now works with multiple cameras and world-class crews, the spirit remains: “There are no big egos, just people willing to work hard and find the best ideas. It still feels like teamwork.”

Season 8 brought an emotional shift. The departure of Peter Krause’s character, Bobby Nash, marked more than a plot point — it marked a personal turning point. “Bobby was our leader on and off screen. It was emotional and I miss working with my friend, but I'm excited for the opportunities that will come his way,” Stark reflects. For Buck, the loss becomes transformation: “I think it'll really help propel Buck into his next phase — more mature, more levelheaded.”