Angela Bassett Says the Door Is 'Open' For Connie Britton to Return to9-1-1(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Connie Britton, Oliver Stark and Angela Bassett on ‘9-1-1’.Photo:FOX Image Collection via Getty

FOX Image Collection via Getty

Angela Bassettis loyal to9-1-1.

Mentioning that she “reconnected” with Britton on the upcoming limited series, the actress recalled their past experience working together. “We worked on that first season and we’re now in our 8th season of that show,” she said of9-1-1. “It’s always like, Connie, open door, whenever you want to come back.”

Dan Stevens, Joan Allen, Angela Bassett, Robert De Niro, Matthew Modine, Lizzy Caplan, Connie Britton, and Mozhan Navabi attend Netflix’s “Zero Day” World Premiere at The Plaza Hotel on Feb. 18, 2025 in New York City.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Ultimately, Bassett shared that she’s “so glad we had a chance to work on this piece of television history” with Britton, noting that it isRobert De Niro’s “first foray into television.”

On the topic of the show’s all-star cast, Bassett also told PEOPLE that it was an honor to work with Modine. “I met Matthew many years ago at a film festival, so it was great to reunite with him because it’s been decades.”

The actress added, “It was great to meet the amazing Joan Allen, such a sweetheart. And meeting Lizzy Caplan. I didn’t have any scenes with Jesse Plemons, but I am a big, big fan.” She continued to praise the creative team, particularly director Lesli Linka Glatter, whom she previously worked with on the seriesER.

“There were some reconnections, some friendships from afar,” Bassett said.

Angela Bassett as President Mitchell in ‘Zero Day’.JOJO WHILDEN/Netflix

JOJO WHILDEN/Netflix

Brittonmade an epic comeback on9-1-1in 2020, when she returned for the show’s dramatic two-part season 3 finale. The actress previously starred in the Fox series for 10 episodes in its inaugural season beforeJennifer Love Hewitttook over as 911 operator Maddie Kendall.

Tim Minear, who co-created the series withRyan MurphyandBrad Falchuk, teased Britton’s return at the 2018 summer Television Critics Association tour, perDeadline. “The front door, back door and side door are always open for her to return,” Minear said of theFriday Night Lightsalumna.

Angela Bassett and Peter Krause in ‘9-1-1’.Disney/Chris Willard

Disney/Chris Willard

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The actressspoke to PEOPLEabout her character’s romance ahead of the season 7 premiere in 2024, saying that it wasn’t originally in the cards.

“That wasn’t the idea, but Tim … just seeing the way it was playing out, my arena, his body and word to these individual worlds and how they collided and that we were the adults, the grownups … that’s where the story and the playing of it inspired the journey,” she explained.

As for working with Krause, she said, “He’s so calm. He’s very sweet, very professional. Likes to have a good time, but he’s just real, honest.”

Zero Daypremieres on Feb. 20 on Netflix. Meanwhile,9-1-1returns on March 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com