Why Michael Grant Left 9-1-1 for Love and a New Life

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During the initial five seasons of ABC’s “American Crime Story,” Rockmond Dunbar portrayed a significant character, Michael, who was once married to Athena Grant (Angela Bassett). With the passage of time, Athena and Michael mended their relationship from ex-spouses to co-parents. In fact, they became close enough that Michael developed a strong bond with Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), who entered the picture following Athena’s relationship with him. However, Michael eventually found love with a doctor, which ultimately led to his departure in Season 5.

I found myself drawn to the gripping drama of “9-1-1,” which premiered on Fox back in January 2018. This captivating series, set amidst the bustling cityscape of Los Angeles, chronicles the daily lives of the brave firefighters and paramedics from Firehouse 118, as they work alongside the LAPD and the 9-1-1 dispatch team to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their community.

The show made a strategic shift to ABC between seasons 6 and 7, and this change has only bolstered its success. To this day, “9-1-1” remains the top-ranked scripted show on Thursday nights, continuing to captivate audiences week after week.

Who is Michael Grant?

In the debut of 9-1-1, character Athena Grant found herself in a challenging phase of her marriage. Her spouse, Michael, had confessed his sexuality as gay, leaving her feeling deceived and misled. The initial family scene in Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” shows Michael revealing this truth to their children, who sense the tension. May reacts negatively, leading to an argument between Athena and Michael, with him suggesting she knew all along, and her denying it. By the conclusion of Season 1, Episode 2, “Let Go,” Athena learns that Michael has found a new partner and is unwilling to remain in a celibate marriage. They opt for a divorce in Season 1, Episode 8, “Karma’s a Bitch,” for the sake of their children, May (Corinne Massiah) and Harry (Marcanthonee Reis). This decision also helps preserve their friendship, which becomes crucial to both characters.

As a devoted fan, I can tell you that I identify strongly with the character Michael, who is an architect and shares my passion for this field. His love for his work shines through in every season, though it’s clear he faces challenges, such as the struggle to find opportunities during Season 4 when the pandemic sets in.

Michael has a special bond with both Harry and May, which was evident even in Season 3, Episode 5, “Rage,” where they stood by him when he was pulled over by the police. That incident, leading almost to Harry being shot by a young, white officer, left a lasting impact on their relationship.

The bond between Michael and Harry deepens significantly after Harry’s kidnapping in Season 5, Episode 2, “Desperate Times.” This shared trauma strengthens their connection, and it’s clear that Michael goes the extra mile to mend their friendship.

Michael plays a pivotal role in the 9-1-1 family from the very first episode due to his strong relationships with his kids and Athena. His character is a crucial part of the show’s narrative, making it impossible not to feel emotionally invested in his journey.

Michael Grant and Bobby Nash Built a Meaningful Relationship

One of Michael’s charming traits is his swift acceptance of Athena dating someone new, followed by warmly accepting Bobby into the Grant family. In Season 2, Episode 1, “Under Pressure,” it’s Michael who comforts Athena when she frets about her situation, emphasizing that their marriage was not a failure as they share two wonderful children and remain friends. Furthermore, he extends an invitation to Bobby for dinner in Season 2, Episode 3, “Help Is Not Coming,” following the earthquake, which served as 9-1-1‘s major disaster event at the start of Season 2. Michael also assists Athena when she’s anxious about what Bobby’s response will be when she asks him to move in.

Despite Michael being very supportive of Bobby and Athena’s relationship, they encounter a challenging situation in Season 2, Episode 14 titled “Broken.” During this episode, Bobby and Athena are engaged, and when Harry’s class visits the firehouse for a field trip, Michael overhears Harry referring to Bobby as his “new dad.” Later in the episode, Harry and a neighborhood friend attempt to play at being firefighters by lighting the friend’s lawn on fire. This action upsets Michael, who chases after Harry and brings him back to the firehouse. In a heated exchange with Bobby, Michael expresses concern that Bobby is influencing Harry too much about becoming a firefighter, and he asserts that he is not Harry’s father. The underlying issue here for Bobby is his fear of losing Harry or May’s affection, as he worries they might reject him because he knows he isn’t their biological father—even though he is on the verge of becoming their stepfather.

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you that Bobby and Michael’s bond deepens over time, with pivotal moments marking their journey. One such instance is when Michael confesses that his distress isn’t solely about the incident involving Harry; he’s also parted ways with Glenn, a man he met during his marriage to Athena. This revelation brings them closer and opens up their relationship.

Throughout the years, they support each other in numerous instances. In Season 3, Episode 10, “Christmas Spirit,” when Michael learns about his brain tumor, it’s Bobby who he confides in first. When Athena is attacked in Episode 17 of the same season, and Bobby is seeking solace beyond alcohol, Michael encourages him to start tearing down the fireplace at their home, an action that Athena isn’t fond of.

In 9-1-1‘s Season 4, Episode 7, “There Goes the Neighborhood,” Athena sends Bobby over to Michael’s when she believes he needs a friend to talk to. However, this move backfires as Bobby’s involvement in a neighbor-related mystery, which nearly costs Michael his life, only serves to fuel his determination.

Michael Met His Boyfriend on Athena’s Worst Day

In the start of Season 3, Episode 17 titled “Powerless,” Michael, who had been managing his brain tumor for some time, undergoes tests. As he prepares to exit the hospital, a city-wide power outage occurs in Los Angeles, trapping him in an elevator with an appealing doctor. They engage in a captivating conversation, but before the lights are restored and the doors open, Michael’s phone rings. It’s Bobby on the line, delivering the news that Athena has been assaulted – another unfortunate event among many. Abandoning the man in the elevator, Michael hurriedly departs to tend to Athena.

In Season 3, Episode 18 titled “What’s Next?”, when Michael goes back to the hospital for his check-up in the subsequent season, he is conversing with Athena over the phone about his shrunken tumor. However, in the elevator, he encounters the same man again. During this encounter, he learns both the man’s name and phone number. As the events of Season 4, Episode 1, “The New Abnormal”, unfold, Michael is living with Dr. David Hale (played by La Monde Byrd), a neurosurgeon. The pandemic accelerated their move-in plans more than either anticipated, but they’ve been companions since then.

Why Did Michael Grant Leave 9-1-1?

Following the initial part of Season 5 where Michael assisted Harry in overcoming kidnapping, he discovers that David has been invited to accompany friends in Haiti to offer medical aid to individuals affected by a hurricane. Michael encourages and stands by David during this period, but also recognizes his desire to spend the rest of his life with him. Consequently, he communicates his intention to propose to Athena, Bobby, and the kids. He selects a watch, dresses up (with Athena’s guidance over the phone), and reaches David’s hospital just as an explosion on the 4th floor takes place. Throughout “Defend in Place,” Michael spends most of his time waiting outside, and the situation worsens when everyone else in the building is evacuated, leaving only David who was in surgery during the explosion. Athena and Michael inform Bobby, who re-enters the building to find David and subsequently calls upon fellow firefighters to prevent the fire from reaching the operating room, enabling David to complete his surgery.

After David departs from the hospital, he and Michael decide to get engaged. Later, during their family celebration, Michael shares another exciting news. He plans to accompany David in Haiti, using his architectural and building skills to aid the recovery efforts. This unexpected twist is poignant yet offers a captivating conclusion for the character. By going to Haiti, Michael gets a chance to explore new experiences while keeping open the possibility of revisiting Los Angeles to spend time with his family. Michael’s presence on the show and his connections with Athena and Bobby have played crucial roles in shaping their characters, leaving fans eagerly awaiting his potential return to 9-1-1.

Why did Rockmond Dunbar sue ABC over Michael Grant’s departure?

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Disney enforced a vaccination rule for all its performers. According to reports, Dunbar applied for both a medical exception and a religious exception, but these were not granted, resulting in Michael Grant being removed from the show. Subsequently, Dunbar alleged discrimination based on race, retaliation, and breach of contract. He contended that he belonged to the Church of Universal Wisdom, and as such, should have been given a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, he asserted that the studio failed to acknowledge his religious exemption claim because he was African American.

The court dismissed all claims except for the one alleging religious discrimination, acknowledging its doubts about the validity of the other claims presented by Dunbar. However, the judge also acknowledged that while there appears to be evidence that questions the authenticity of Dunbar’s religious beliefs, he has also provided evidence suggesting, under a lesser burden of proof, that his beliefs are deeply held and sincere. Consequently, the case will proceed to trial.

As of June 2025, the trial for the case between the studio and Dunbar has not yet occurred. They’re still in negotiations about whether to resolve the matter through a settlement before moving forward with a court hearing. Additionally, the judge declined any effort by Dunbar to seek punitive damages related to his termination.

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2025-06-06 01:06