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Season 7 of 9-1-1 brought back Athena Grant’s son, Harry, in its fourth episode—but fans quickly noticed a big change. Not only has Harry grown up, but he’s also now played by a completely different actor. So, why did 9-1-1 recast Harry? Let’s dive into the details.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, 9-1-1 is a gripping procedural drama that follows the courageous firefighters, paramedics, and emergency personnel of Los Angeles Fire Department’s fictional Station 118. Premiering in January 2018, the show originally aired on FOX for its first six seasons before it was canceled by the network in May 2023 and subsequently picked up by ABC. It has also inspired a successful spin-off, 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Angela Bassett stars as Athena Grant, a seasoned LAPD field sergeant. She shares two children, May and Harry, with her ex-husband, Michael Grant, whom she divorced in Season 2 after he came out as gay. Athena later finds love with Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), the captain of Station 118, and the two marry in the Season 2 finale. Together, they navigate the challenges of blending their families, as Bobby also has two children from his previous marriage: Robert Jr. and Brook.

Harry, originally portrayed by Marcanthonee Reis, was last seen in Season 5. When the character reappeared in Season 7’s “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered,” fans quickly spotted that a new face, Elijah M. Cooper, had taken on the role. So, why the change?

Why Was Harry Recast on 9-1-1?

According to showrunner Tim Minear, the decision to recast Harry wasn’t driven by creative differences or scheduling conflicts but by Reis’s own desire to explore new opportunities. Minear shared with TVLine that Reis was “ready to move on.” He explained, “I reached out to Marcanthonee, who hadn’t been around for a minute, and I pitched him this story. I think he loved the story, but was just ready to do something new.”

The recasting also served a narrative purpose. In the episode, Athena is surprised to find Harry making breakfast in her kitchen, having thought he was still living in Miami with her ex-husband. She barely recognizes him, now that he’s more grown-up and different in appearance. Minear added, “Part of this story is about not recognizing your own kid, so it also felt like not a pun and not a joke.” Bringing in a new actor allowed the show to emphasize the emotional weight of Athena’s realization: “I look at my kid, he’s grown so much, and I kind of don’t recognize him.”

Harry’s sudden return to Los Angeles comes with complications. In Miami, he faced legal trouble involving a convenience store owner, narrowly avoiding jail but now required to complete 100 hours of community service. Athena will be keeping a close eye on him, given his newfound rebellious streak.

Now portrayed by Elijah M. Cooper, Harry’s storyline promises more drama, both at home and possibly in court. Although Cooper is relatively new to the acting scene, he has already made notable guest appearances on shows like Evil, Chicago P.D., The Rookie, and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! He’s also set to star in the upcoming second season of Disney+’s anthology series Goosebumps. Meanwhile, Marcanthonee Reis continues to build his own impressive resume, with past roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Snowpiercer, Glee, and Parenthood.

As Harry’s journey unfolds, viewers can expect more tension, growth, and perhaps a few more surprises. Stay tuned to see how this new chapter develops for Athena and her family in 9-1-1