“9-1-1” underwent many changes in season 2, many of which stemmed from Abby’s departure. Someone needs to replace Abby as the spokesperson of the call center, and that person is Buck’s sister Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Maddie originally moved to Los Angeles to escape her abusive husband Doug (played by Hewitt’s real-life husband Brian Hallisay) and to live with her younger brother. When Barker suggests that Maddy, a former emergency room nurse, become a 911 operator, it turns out to be the perfect fit.
While Abby is stoic, Maddie wears her heart on her sleeve. She has deep sympathy for all callers because she knows what it’s like to fear for her life. Maddie’s storyline is the most dramatic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you don’t like melodrama, you’re watching the wrong show. Watching Maddie get back on her feet after finally leaving Doug is rewarding, and her relationship with Chimney (Kenneth Choi) is pretty sweet.
If you’re a fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt, you know she’s perfect for a role like this. Maddy cries almost every episode, and no one cries like Hewitt. While Maddie’s behavior can be erratic at times, her instinct to flee is a result of the trauma she’s endured, making it easy to sympathize with such an open-minded character.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.You can also find more information, resources and support at their website.