9-1-1 Season 8's Abby Return Potential Gets Hopeful Response From Star Angela Bassett

9-1-1 star and executive producer Angela Bassett addresses the potential return of Connie Britton as Abby. Although she was part of the original 9-1-1 cast, playing the role of dispatcher Abigail Clark, Britton's tenure on the drama was short-lived. The Friday Night Lights alum had only signed on for the first installment, departing by the end of season 1. Abby's presence has still loomed large, with Britton reprising her role in a guest appearance, and factoring into a recent storyline unexpectedly. Her impact may still be felt when 9-1-1 season 8 returns on March 6 at 8 PM ET on ABC.

In comments to PEOPLE, at the premiere of the new Netflix thriller series Zero Day, Bassett opened up about Abby's potential return to 9-1-1. Bassett, who is also an executive producer on 9-1-1, in addition to playing Athena Grant, touched on reuniting with Britton on Zero Day and said that the door would always remain open for Abby to return. Read the quote below:

“We worked on that first season and we’re now in our 8th season of that show. It’s always like, Connie, open door, whenever you want to come back.”

What Abby Has Meant For 9-1-1

She Has A Connection To Buck

Britton's 9-1-1 exit was explained by stressing that Abby needed time to figure her life out, essentially ending her relationship with Buck (Oliver Stark). For the longest time, though, Buck hoped that she would return and restart their romance. He does eventually move on, but old feelings resurface when Abby returns in the season 3 finale. The duo arrives at some closure after Abby reveals that she's engaged and Buck puts aside his feelings to focus on a critical rescue.

The Main 9-11 Cast Members
Actor	Who They Play
Angela Bassett	Athena Grant
Peter Krause	Bobby Nash
Oliver Stark	Evan "Buck" Buckley
Aisha Hinds	Henrietta "Hen" Wilson
Kenneth Choi	Howard "Chimney" Han
Jennifer Love Hewitt	Maddie Buckley
Ryan Guzman	Eddie Diaz

Britton has not appeared on 9-1-1 since season 3. However, her character plays a crucial role in a recent season 8 reveal. It turns out that Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), Buck's boyfriend, was engaged to Abby before either of them met Buck. Tommy explains that he was with her while he was still closeted. Tommy breaks up with Buck not long after this surprise revelation, with the series suggesting that Buck is rushing the relationship with him just as he tried to do with Abby.

Our Take On Abby Returning To 9-1-1

It's Not Out Of The Question

Connie Britton as Abby looking at a computer monitor in 9-1-1

The show has generally been good at bringing back familiar faces, as the story requires, so Britton could make an appearance in the likely-to-be-renewed9-1-1season 9. But it would be cool if her next appearance focused more on what Abby has been up to rather than her history with other characters.

Source: PEOPLE