Note: This story contains spoilers from “9-1-1” Season 8, Episode 9.

Maddie, Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character on “9-1-1,” has been through some very trying times, including when her abusive former husband Doug (played by real-life hubby Brian Hallisay) almost killed her. But being abducted by a serial killer makes all that trauma seem like a “lunch date,” says the actress.

Hewitt spoke to TheWrap before the first of the two-part episode aired on Thursday night, and explained how much fun it is for her to play Maddie when she’s in distress.

“It’s awesome. Most people don’t get handed things like this at their normal TV job, and [showrunner] Tim [Minear] always gives us the best stuff. I’m just so deeply grateful,” she told TheWrap. “These episodes are the most Maddie,” she added, “because this is what she was put on the planet to do, unfortunately, to survive over and...