‘9-1-1’ Star Oliver Stark “Couldn’t Be Prouder” of His Character’s Same-Sex Kiss: “A Show About Love”

9-1-1 star Oliver Stark says he is “humbled and overwhelmed” by the outpouring of fan support following his character’s surprise same-sex kiss at the end of the show’s 100th episode.

The kiss was between Stark’s character, Buck, and his new friend, Tommy Kinard (Louis Ferrigno Jr.). It was the first time fans saw Buck romantically involved with another man.

“Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline,” Stark wrote on his Instagram Story on Saturday. “I’ve read so many of your messages and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The actor also took a moment to acknowledge the few critics of the onscreen moment. “If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show,” he wrote, “I would like you to know that I truly don’t care.”

9-1-1 is “a show about love and inclusion,” he continued. “It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses I’ve ever watched,” referring to married couple Henrietta (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) Wilson.

In his message Saturday, Stark concluded: “If one character finding a new facet to his sexuality and realizing his bisexuality is your deal breaker — I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show. You are not required to announce your departure.”

9-1-1, currently in its seventh season, aired its 100th episode last week.

“It’s characters that you want in your living room, a found family of heroes, people that run toward danger,” co-creator Tim Minear told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re coming off of this incredible age of Breaking Bad and The Shield and these kind of morally compromised heroes, but there’s nothing morally compromised about our heroes. They are heroes. They are there to save you, whether they like you or not.”