Rick Otto plays Detective Jace Newell on 9-1-1 Season 10 on ABC. He steps in as the new Los Angeles Police Department partner for Athena Grant, played by Angela Bassett. He first appeared briefly during the Season 9 premiere before earning this regular partner assignment. The casting brings a seasoned television veteran to the homicide squad. His real father led homicide investigations in Baltimore.
| Entity / Role | Attribute / Specification | Production / Network | Verified Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Name | Detective Jace Newell | 9-1-1 (Season 10) / ABC | LAPD detective and partner to Athena Grant |
| Actor Portrayal | Richard “Rick” Otto | ABC / 20th Television | Born August 10, 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland |
| First Series Appearance | Season 9, Episode 1 (“Eat the Rich”) | 9-1-1 / ABC | Undercover restaurant freezer sting scene with Captain Maynard |
| Signature TV Credit | Officer Kenneth Dozerman | The Wire / HBO | Major Crimes Unit patrolman across Seasons 3 and 4 |
| Key Genre Roles | Andrew / Deputy Adam | The Walking Dead / American Crime Story | AMC horror drama and FX true-crime anthology |
| Real-Life Police Tie | Homicide Division Lineage | Baltimore City Police Department | Father served as Major commanding Baltimore Homicide |
| Accolades & Training | Best Actor Winner / Pre-Law Alum | Screamfest Film Festival / Loyola College | Won for R.S.V.P. (2002); mentored by Tom Fontana |
Detective Newell’s Role and Dynamic with Athena Grant
Season 10 brings a major structural change to the procedural format. Athena transitions into formal detective casework after surviving a near-fatal crisis in the previous season. Showrunner Tim Minear spoke to TV Insider about pairing her with Newell. He explained that Athena enters the role as an experienced officer who is simultaneously new to detective protocols. That creates a sharp dynamic between both partners. Newell offers calm support while she adapts to detectives’ paperwork and investigative pacing.
The Season 9 Callback: How Newell First Entered the Story
Newell is not a random hire within the series universe. Viewers first met him in Season 9, Episode 1, titled “Eat the Rich.” In that opening episode, Athena conducted an undercover assignment inside a luxury restaurant. Newell waited inside a walk-in freezer alongside Captain Maynard while officers set up the bust. He appeared only briefly in that scene. Minear remembered the actor’s screen presence, which made him an ideal match for the full detective partnership once Season 10 began.
Rick Otto’s Real-Life Baltimore Police Roots
Otto grew up with direct knowledge of police work. His father served as a major in the Baltimore City Police Department and commanded the city’s homicide division. That background inspired him to aim for law school after graduating from Loyola College in Maryland. His plans changed completely when he visited the set of NBC’s drama Homicide: Life on the Street in 1993. Show creator Tom Fontana encouraged him to try acting, which convinced him to relocate to New York. He appeared in stage runs of Sweet Bird of Youth and True West before heading to Los Angeles.
Notable Screen Credits: From The Wire to 9-1-1
Television viewers know Otto from several landmark series. He portrayed Officer Kenneth Dozerman in HBO’s The Wire, serving in Sergeant Carver’s squad before joining the Major Crimes Unit. On AMC’s The Walking Dead, he played Andrew during the prison invasion storyline in Season 3. He also took on the role of Deputy Adam in FX’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. His film work includes the WWII fighter pilot drama Red Tails, and he earned the Best Actor award at Screamfest for the indie thriller R.S.V.P. in 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Detective Newell appear on 9-1-1 before Season 10?
Yes. He appeared in Season 9, Episode 1, titled “Eat the Rich,” standing inside a restaurant walk-in freezer alongside Captain Maynard.
What other popular shows has Rick Otto starred in?
He played Officer Kenneth Dozerman in The Wire, Andrew in The Walking Dead, and Deputy Adam in American Crime Story.
Is Athena Grant officially a detective now?
Yes. She accepted a promotion to LAPD detective in Season 10 after spending previous seasons as a field patrol sergeant.
Related coverage: Check out our complete guide to new TV procedural seasons and release schedules on FlickPrime.
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