A casting decision that has already drawn criticism from 9-1-1: Nashville viewers is back under scrutiny. Hunter McVey, who plays Blue Bennings in the ABC series, is facing renewed backlash after fans discovered his unexpected past.
The discussion reignited on November 3, 2026, after a fan posted on X about McVey’s past career choices and unconventional path to acting. The post surprised viewers, some of whom questioned the casting decision and criticized the show’s co-creator, Ryan Murphy.
The revelation also reignited criticism of McVey’s acting, with some viewers suggesting that their earlier concerns about his performance had found a new explanation.
9-1-1: Nashville star Hunter McVey’s unexpected past resurfaces
McVey joined the cast as Blue Bennings in June 2025, ahead of the October premiere of 9-1-1: Nashville, a spin-off of the original 9-1-1 series.
McVey had no previous acting experience when he landed the prime-time television role. He primarily worked as a model and also created content for a subscription-based adult platform.
On November 3, McVey’s past resurfaced on social media when an X user discovered his past content.
“I’m kinda shocked that Ryan Murphy hired an O*lyF*ns actor for 9-1-1: Nashville,” they wrote.
However, McVey has been open about his past since his casting in the popular procedural drama.
In a November 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained how modeling and content creation eventually led to acting.
McVey said the platform gave him a space to share modeling photos and behind-the-scenes content while engaging with followers. It also provided an income stream without the frequent travel modeling often required.
“I would get 40 or 50 DMs about it every single day about people asking me to make one,” he recalled.
The actor also credited the platform for potentially helping him secure his television role, describing the experience as a stepping stone in his career.
“Who knows? It could have been part of the reason I’m here today,” he added.
Hunter McVey faces scrutiny over his performance in 9-1-1: Nashville
Some viewers were surprised by McVey’s past as a creator for an adult subscription-based platform, especially since 9-1-1: Nashville’s parent network ABC is known for its family-friendly programming.
The resurfaced information has reignited complaints about McVey’s performance as Blue Bennings, with several viewers describing him as one of the show’s weakest links.
“Now it makes sense why he’s so weak at acting,” one X user said.
Another wrote, “Terrible actor.”
Many viewers expressed similar criticism on Reddit, questioning why he was cast in a prime-time series without any prior acting experience.
A few also accused co-creator Murphy of casting McVey purely for sensationalism, while others felt the actor served only as eye candy.
One user commented, “I get second-hand embarrassment watching this dude act. He looks like he’s acting in a middle school project.”
“I thought I was the only one that couldn’t stand his acting. Every time he spoke, I cringed,” another added.
Hunter McVey reflected on his career choices before primetime stardom
While the latest backlash centers on his casting and acting, McVey had previously discussed his career background in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Before getting into modeling, McVey said he had held four or five jobs, including selling insurance across 28 states, working in marketing for a CBD company, and selling full-body CT scans at a hospital.
While working at the hospital, McVey began posting on social media, committing to publishing content every day for a year in hopes of becoming self-employed. Within seven to eight months, he was earning enough to leave his hospital job.
“I started a clothing brand. I started a podcast. I started multiple businesses, some I got to launching, some failed. Then we got to acting in May of 2025,” he said.
McVey also said he had never planned to pursue acting, making his move to prime-time television an unexpected turn in his career.
However, after he auditioned for another Ryan Murphy show, he eventually landed a leading role in 9-1-1: Nashville.
“I don’t mind the eye candy”: Hunter McVey remains a divisive figure among 9-1-1: Nashville fans
