Serie - 9-1-1: Rockmond Dunbar looks back at why he left

By GraeLeigh, 18 november 2021

After five seasons playing Michael Grant in the drama series created by Ryan Murphy, the Californian actor came back on the reasons that led him to leave it.

It was during the eighth episode of season 5 (Defend in Place) that Michael Grant decided to give a new direction to his life. And we learn that this storyline was dictated by an event specific to the actor playing him, Rockmond Dunbar.

"I requested religious and medical accommodations as required by law and my employer unfortunately refused. My sincere beliefs and private medical history are very intimate and personal aspects of my life that I do not discuss publicly and I have no desire to start now. I have been an actor for 30 years, but my greatest roles are as a husband and father to our four young children. As a man who walks in faith, I look forward to what the future holds. I have enjoyed the past five seasons with this wonderful cast and crew and will cherish the time I have been blessed to spend with this series and wish nothing but the best for those involved."

Comments to which 20th Century Fox wanted to retort:
"We take the health and safety of all our employees very seriously and have implemented a mandatory vaccination confirmation process for those working in Zone A on our productions. In order to ensure a safer workplace for all, Zone A personnel who do not confirm their vaccination status and meet the exemption criteria are not allowed to work."

So it appears that it was the actor's lack of Covid-19 vaccination that led to his departure.

Synopsis:
From 911 emergency callers to firefighters, paramedics, or police officers, all of these responders are constantly under pressure, facing stunning, frightening, and sometimes even shocking situations on a daily basis. If their mission is to rescue people in danger, these heroes of the shadows must also find time to solve the problems of their own lives...

9-1-1
Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear
Starring Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Rockmond Dunbar
Connie Britton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Guzman, Corinne Massiah, Marcanthonee Jon Reis, Gavin McHughn John Harlan Kim
Composers: Mac Quayle, Todd Haberman
No. of seasons 5 (68 episodes)
Executive producers : Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear, Juan Carlos Coto, Kristen Reidel, Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray, Bradley Buecker, Peter Krause, Angela Bassett
Producers: Lou Eyrich, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Adam Penn, Erica L. Anderson, Matthew Hodgson, Robert M. Williams Jr, Jeff Dickerson
Cinematography : Joaquin Sedillo, Gavin Kelly, Duane Mieliwocki
Editor : Tom Costantino
Running time : 42-45 minutes
Production companies : Reamworks, Brad Falchuk Television, Ryan Murphy Television, 20th Century Fox Television (seasons 1-3), 20th Television (season 4-)
Distributor : 20th Television (2018-2020), Disney-ABC Domestic Television (Disney Platform Distribution) (2020-present)
Original network : Fox
Original release January 3, 2018 - present

(Source : TV Line)