The emergency calls may be chaotic on 9-1-1: Nashville, but Juani Feliz says her character thrives in the pressure.
Feliz stars as Roxie Alba, the 113’s lead paramedic and in-house physician on the newest installment of the popular 9-1-1 franchise. The ABC series blends high-stakes rescues with personal drama, set against the backdrop of Nashville. For Feliz, the role is more than just another procedural character, it connects directly to her own past.
“What I love about it is that she’s the one calling the shots when it comes to the medical stuff,” Feliz told Gayety in an exclusive interview. “She’s kind of like Don’s right hand. He has his lieutenant, and then he has me. I lead the ship when it comes to anything medical.”
A Paramedic With Surgical Instincts
Roxie stands out in the world of first responders because she brings an unusual skill set to the field. Before joining the team, the character worked as a trauma surgeon, a background that allows her to push the limits of what paramedics typically do during emergencies.
“She’s a former trauma surgeon, so she has this skill set she’s able to use out in the field that a typical paramedic wouldn’t use,” Feliz said.
The role also gave the actor a chance to reconnect with her own academic background.
“I studied bioengineering in college at Harvard and then worked in the bioengineering field for years,” she explained. “It’s really awesome to merge a world I used to be part of with what I do now. I get to execute some of those things and do these medical scenes.”
While Feliz wasn’t treating patients in real life, she said understanding the science behind the procedures adds another layer to the performance.
“In some ways I get to step into it and feel like I know what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s empowering.”
Finding Calm in the Midst of Madness
The 9-1-1 universe is known for dramatic emergencies, explosions, disasters and life-or-death rescues. Roxie’s role often places her directly in the middle of that chaos.
According to Feliz, the character has a rare ability to block out distractions and focus on the task at hand.
“She thrives in chaos,” the actor said. “She’s one of those people that when there’s a lot going on, she’s able to tune it out and focus on what’s at hand.”
Roxie’s priority is simple: keep people alive long enough to reach the hospital.
“The most important thing is helping somebody and saving a life,” Feliz said. “She’s not afraid to put herself in danger. At the end of the day, it’s about getting this person to safety.”
Her surgical background fuels that confidence.
“She’s not afraid to do things in the field that other people wouldn’t,” Feliz said. “She has the skill set, and she really bets on herself.”
Queer Representation Without the Introduction
Feliz, who is queer and Latina, said representation plays a meaningful role in how she approaches her work. But she appreciates that Roxie’s identity isn’t the first thing audiences learn about her.
“One of the cool things about this show is that we didn’t lead in with Roxie being a lesbian,” she said. “We got to know her as a person first — how she moves in the field and what drives her.”
For Feliz, that approach reflects the real world.
“We’re everywhere,” she said. “We are first responders. We exist in all spaces and should be able to exist in all spaces.”
The actor added that authenticity matters when portraying queer characters.
“I love being able to portray them because I feel like I bring something authentic,” she said. “I have lived experiences, coming out, falling in love, getting my heart broken.”
Now married with a wife and daughter, Feliz sees her work as a way to help younger viewers feel less alone.
“I want a young Juani out there to see herself on screen and not feel so alone as she’s coming to terms with her identity,” she said. “I wish I had that growing up.”
A Role Her Younger Self Wouldn’t Believe
When asked what her younger self might think about playing Roxie Alba, Feliz laughed.
“I think she’d be like, ‘Get out. What do you mean?’” she said. “You play this queer character who’s intelligent and badass and running around saving lives in firefighter gear?”
The actor says the parallels between herself and Roxie make the opportunity feel even more meaningful.
“There are so many parallels between Roxie and I,” she said. “And her story isn’t just about being gay. It’s about so many things, because we are so many things as humans.”
A Controversial Emergency Ahead
The 9-1-1 franchise has never shied away from wild storylines, and Feliz hinted that an upcoming episode may spark debate among viewers.
“There’s an emergency coming up that really puts Roxie in a tough predicament,” she said. “When I read the script, I was like, ‘Are we really doing this?’”
Without revealing details, the situation forces Roxie to weigh ethics against her instinct to save someone’s life.
“She’s kind of pushed against the wall and has to make an immoral, or ethical, decision,” Feliz said. “It’s about asking, ‘What am I going to do in this situation?’”
Feliz suspects the storyline could generate conversation.
“It’s a weird little emergency,” she said with a laugh. “But I think it’s going to create a lot of buzz.”
For now, audiences will have to tune in to see how Roxie handles the moment, and whether her fearless instincts help her find the answer.
9-1-1: Nashville releases new episodes on Thursday nights at 9/8c on ABC
