Screen Rant: At the end of last season, Buck broke up with Taylor, which was the longest relationship he's been in on the show. How is he doing when we see him next?Oliver Stark: We find him at a pretty good place. He's really focused on himself in both a professional and personal way. I think he's kind of zeroing in on what he can do at the 118 to help progress his career and prove himself as worthy and deserving of more responsibility. And then, I also think, across the first few episodes, we see him start to invest more time in doing some inner work and reading some self-help books, and trying to discover the key to unlock whatever it is to help him be happier and welcome whatever it is that comes into his life.
Screen Rant: Is that something that's going to be addressed this season? Is Buck going to work through some of the trauma he's experienced?
Oliver Stark: I think trauma is a thing that doesn't always rear its head immediately. So even though he's been through some really traumatic situations in the past few seasons, I don't think that necessarily means they have to be things that start to crop up in his life day in day out so quickly. But it's certainly, I think, going to come to a head at some point, and he's going to have to address some of the things he's been through. But I think he just, more than anything, wants to feel like a whole person again, and not rely on those around him to fill him up, but find a way to do it for himself.
Screen Rant: I know viewers are hoping to see Buck in more of that uncle role this season now that Jee is starting to grow up a bit.
Oliver Stark: Yeah. We're only four or five episodes into shooting the season at this point and there haven't been any Uncle Buck moments yet, but I think everybody's aware that that's a relationship that people want to see. So I have no doubt that over the coming episodes, he will get to step into that role, more and more. And it's something that I am excited for because the babies that come in and play Jee are always so lovely to be around. So there's definitely some fun shooting days ahead.
Screen Rant: Fans also love the dynamic between Buck and Eddie, as well as the Buck, Eddie, and Christopher family dynamic. Are there any scenes or storylines that they can look forward to?
Oliver Stark: Yeah, I think even in episode one there are some really telling interactions between them where we see where Buck goes to vent these days. And it happens to be at both Eddie and Christopher, who, in super cool Diaz-family style, aren't really having any of it and aren't going to pander to his tantrums—which I think is important for Buck. He needs to sometimes be reminded that he's part of a bigger picture and he doesn't always have to get things his own way.
Screen Rant: This was a good question—a fan wanted to know how your process of playing Buck has changed since the first season.
Oliver Stark: Interesting. I think there's always a fear of when you've been playing the same part for so long to become complacent with it, and maybe take the foot off the gas a little bit and start to dial it in. So I've been very cautious not to do that. So in many respects, I would say it hasn't changed too much, but only because I want to continue applying the same pressure to myself and work ethic and coming in each day as if it is my first day on the job, and still trying to give it my best.
Screen Rant: Are there any scenes that you've found particularly challenging to film? Someone brought up "Buck Begins," which I imagine is much more emotionally and physically taxing than some of the lighter scenes in the show.
Oliver Stark: Maybe so, but I also think the more challenging scenes are often the ones that you then come away with a greater sense of achievement. One of the difficulties that did come with the "Buck Begins" episode was trying to play him at eighteen. Because it's not like—not that I would ever be able to do this—I was playing him at twelve, where it would be completely different. It was at eighteen, where there wasn't really too much difference.
I think it was eighteen, and then in his early twenties. So trying to kind of capture the subtle differences between those ages, where he had been in the world a little bit more and traveled and experienced things, and how would that manifest itself in the way that he moved and carried himself? So I think that the subtleness of the changes in the ages was one of the things that was particularly challenging, but also fun to approach.
Screen Rant: Okay, so if you were to do another crossover with Lone Star, is there a certain character you'd want Buck to interact with?
Oliver Stark: Yeah, I think it's—I don't want to say a shame because I really, really loved the crossover episode—but it was a shame to not get any kind of play with Carlos. I have a lot of respect for Rafael as an actor and as a person. I always think he comes across as so sweet, and anytime we've met, it's always been a lovely interaction. So yeah, I would really love for our characters to end up in some scenes together at some point in the future.
Screen Rant: This last one is also from a fan, but I was curious myself—do you think Buck is a Taylor Swift fan?
Oliver Stark: I can see that. I can see Buck rocking out to some Taylor Swift on the way to work. I think Buck likes to get a little bit into his feelings. So, maybe the Folklore album on the way to work and singing out loud in his car...I one-hundred percent see that.
Screen Rant: I can see that too! That's why I was like, "Oh, that's a good one."
Oliver Stark: You got confirmation. Tell them it's official.
