9-1-1: Lone Star

As with 9-1-1, the series follows the personal and professional lives of first responders and 911 dispatchers. The show focuses on former New York City firefighter Owen Strand (Rob Lowe), who is tasked with rebuilding the team of Austin's Station 126 after all but one of its members were killed in a freak accident—just as he had done as an FDNY captain in Manhattan following the September 11 attacks. ==Cast and characters==

Overview Main • Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter captain from New York City and TK's father. He was diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of being a first responder to the September 11 attacks, in which he also lost his entire firehouse. Having rebuilt his team in New York City, he was asked to do the same for the 126 in Austin. • Liv Tyler as Michelle Blake (season 1), the paramedic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) captain. She is trying to locate her sister Iris, who has been missing for three years.), a 9-1-1 operator and Judd's wife Recurring • Kyle Secor as Deputy Chief Alden Radford (season 1; guest season 2), a fire chief who convinces Owen to come to Austin to rebuild Station 126 • Mark Elias as Timothy M. Rosewater (seasons 1–2), a paramedic who is also a member of Rescue 126 EMS crew • Jon Foster as Dustin Shepard (season 1), an ex-boyfriend of Michelle Blake's missing sister • Brett Rice as Wayne Gettinger (season 1), an elderly man who is receiving chemotherapy treatments at the same time as Owen • Mary Kay Place as Theresa Blake (season 1), Michelle's mother • Natalie Zea as Zoe (season 1), a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She meets Owen at a beauty supply store and later begins dating him. • Billy Burke as Captain/later Deputy Chief William "Billy" Tyson (seasons 1 and 3; guest season 2), a former firefighter for the 126 who also has cancer • Tamala Jones as Det. Sarina Washington (season 1; guest seasons 3–4), a detective with the Austin Police Department • Lyndsy Fonseca as Iris Blake (seasons 1 and 4), Michelle's missing sister • Lisa Edelstein as Gwyneth "Gwyn" Morgan (seasons 2–3; guest season 4), Owen's ex-wife and TK's mother, who arrives in Austin after her son's hospitalization • Derek Webster as Charles Vega (season 2; guest season 5), Tommy's husband • Robyn Lively as Marlene Harris (seasons 3 and 5; guest season 4), the mother of Judd's son, Wyatt • Nathan Owens as Julius Vega (season 3), Charles' brother and Tommy's brother-in-law • Neal McDonough as Sgt. Ty O'Brien (guest season 3; season 4), the Austin PD Sergeant First Grade who is known for both his by the book approach and his dislike of firefighters • Amanda Schull as Special Agent Rose Casey (season 4), an FBI agent investigating members of an extremist group, with Owen's help • D. B. Woodside as Trevor Parks (seasons 4–5), the new pastor at Tommy's church who becomes her love interest • Bella Blanding as Melody Parks (season 4-5), the daughter of Trevor Parks • Ashley Rae Spillers as Lila Gerald (season 4), a woman Marjan saves who later sues her • Jamison Webb as Mitch Gerald (season 4), a man Marjan saves who later sues her • Michaela McManus as Kendra Harrington (season 4), a charitable billionaire heiress who is Owen's love interest • Amanda Payton as Jasmine Asha Fulton (season 4), AFD Department Advocate at the 126 • Chad Lowe as Robert Strand (guest season 3; season 4), Owen's brother who has Huntington's disease • Andy Favreau as Pearce Risher (guest seasons 2–3; season 4), an egotistical paramedic who works briefly at the 126 then is employed by a private ambulance service • Alan Autry as Chief Bridges (guest season 4; season 5), the former boss of Gabriel Reyes who also becomes Carlos's boss when the latter joins the Texas Rangers • Parker Young as Sam Campbell (season 5), an Army veteran and Gabriel's former partner with the Rangers. He is initially skeptical of Carlos's abilities as a Ranger, but later develops respect for him. Guest • Alex Carter as Captain (season 1), the former captain of the 126 who is killed in the explosion • Jesse Luken as Jake Harkes (season 1), one of the former members of the 126 who is killed in the explosion • Matt McTighe as Chuck Parkland (season 1), one of the former members of the 126 who is killed in the explosion • Graham Shiels as Cory Garrity (season 1), one of the former members of the 126 who is killed in the explosion • Angel Parker as Josie (season 1), a woman who Paul meets on a call • Barry Corbin as Stuart Ryder (seasons 1–3), Judd Ryder's father • Sharif Atkins as Victor (season 2), a real estate agent that fell into a volcanic sinkhole while playing mini golf with his family • Mena Massoud as Salim (season 2), Marjan's childhood friend to whom she has been arranged to be married since they were twelve • William Allen Young as Benjamin Williams (season 2 and 4), Grace's father • Barbara Eve Harris as Denice Williams (season 2 and 4), Grace's mother • Bart Johnson as Stanley (season 3), Marlene's fiancé and Wyatt's future stepfather • Adam Baldwin as Det. Brian McGregor (seasons 4 and 5), Austin PD detective • Peyton List as Ashlyn Campbell (season 5), Sam Campbell's wife Crossover cast Regular cast members of the original 9-1-1: • Aisha Hinds as Henrietta "Hen" Wilson (special guest, season 2), L.A. firefighter and paramedic • Ryan Guzman as Edmundo "Eddie" Díaz (special guest, season 2), L.A. firefighter • Oliver Stark as Evan "Buck" Buckley (special guest, season 2), L.A. firefighter • Angela Bassett as Athena Grant-Nash (special guest, season 3), LAPD patrol sergeant ==Episodes==

Development On May 12, 2019, it was announced that Fox had given the production a series order for a 9-1-1 spin-off. 9-1-1 creator Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear would serve as executive producers along with cast member Rob Lowe. It was the final ordered drama developed for Fox with 20th Television as a sister division, as the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney had been completed almost two months before on March 20. On April 13, 2020, Fox renewed the series for a second season which premiered on January 18, 2021. On May 17, 2021, Fox renewed the series for a third season which premiered January 3, 2022. On May 16, 2022, Fox renewed the series for a fourth season which premiered on January 24, 2023. On May 1, 2023, Fox renewed the series for a fifth season. On November 15, 2023, it was announced that the fifth season of 9-1-1: Lone Star was pushed to fall 2024, amid the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The fifth season then premiered on September 23, 2024, and concluded on February 3, 2025. On September 5, 2024, it was announced that the fifth season would be its final season. Casting On May 12, 2019, it was announced that Rob Lowe had been cast in the series as lead role. Jim Parrack joined the cast on September 18, 2019. Two days later, Ronen Rubinstein and Sierra McClain were announced to have joined the cast. On September 23, 2019, Natacha Karam, Brian Michael Smith, Rafael L. Silva, and Julian Works joined the cast. On September 3, 2020, Gina Torres was cast as a series regular for the second season. On September 22, 2020, Liv Tyler departed the show prior to the second season. Tyler had been commuting between her London home and Los Angeles to film the show. Due to potential travel difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic and not wanting to be away from her young children for long, she asked producers to let her out of her multi-year contract. The possibility of her return was left open. Lisa Edelstein was cast in a recurring role for the second season. On October 8, 2020, Derek Webster joined the cast in a recurring capacity for the second season. On May 25, 2021, Brianna Baker was promoted to series regular for the third season. On September 28, 2022, Neal McDonough, D.B. Woodside, and Amanda Schull joined the cast in recurring capacities for the fourth season. On June 7, 2024, it was reported that original cast member, Sierra McClain, would not be returning as Grace Ryder ahead of the series' fifth season, due to a cast renegotiation dispute. The lack of on-location filming in Austin has prompted criticism from the local film industry, claiming that Austin has the production infrastructure to host the series. The fifth season started shooting in early March 2024, and wrapped in late July 2024. ==Reception==

Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes, the series' first season has an approval rating of 77% based on 13 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "If not as outlandishly fun as its predecessor, 9-1-1: Lone Star still packs an entertaining punch and is a great showcase for the handsomely self-aware Rob Lowe." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 based on 8 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Daniel D'Addario of Variety suggests that the series "started from the casting" but that it is not misconceived and is as solid as its predecessor, even if aspects of its conceit are "at times so utopian as to defy belief." He praises the "charismatic and inclusive ensemble" and hopes that the series will make use of them and not focus too much on its lead actor. Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter called the series fun and thrilling, stating its succeeds as a solid franchise companion, "full of explosions, infernos and death-defying stunts, but most of it is delivered in the attempted service of a more complicated series of character studies, an admirable goal not always smoothly executed." Kelly Lawler of USA Today praised the ensemble cast, and said that producers Minear and Falchuck have "clearly tapped into what worked in "9-1-1," transplanted it easily to Texas and found a way to give "Lone Star" a tone and atmosphere all its own." Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com wrote: "There's something almost impressively brazen about the way these shows use melodrama, embracing it like old-fashioned soap opera writers." Joel Keller of Decider said " If you loved 9-1-1, you'll love this show." Keller praised the performances of the actors and the action sequences, complimented the dialogue and the development of the characters. Amanda Bell of TV Guide rated Lone Star 3.5 out of 5 and stated the series manages to find its own identity without duplicating 9-1-1, called the series inclusive through the diversity of the characters, and said the series celebrates Texas's culture. Melissa Camacho of Common Sense Media rated the series 3 out of 5 stars, complimented the depiction of positive messages and role models, stating the series highlights friendship, teamwork, and community across its characters, while noting the diverse representations. Sean O'Neal of Texas Monthly criticized the show for its stereotypical portrayal of Texas, and the "baffling" choice of Austin for a conservative Texas setting. Ratings 9-1-1: Lone Star premiered on January 2020, with a special two-night series debut on Fox, following the NFC Championship game. The premiere earned a 3.2 rating among adults 18–49 and 11.5 million viewers in time zone-adjusted ratings. The series returned for a new episode on January 2022, bringing in a 0.6 rating among adults 18-49 and 4.86 million viewers. This represented a minor decline from its previous week's episode, which earned a 0.7 rating and 5.25 million viewers. The Season 3 finale attracted 4.54 million viewers with a 0.6 demo rating, showing minimal change from its season premiere. The final season of 9-1-1: Lone Star averaged 7.1 million multi-platform viewers over a 35-day window, ranking 69th among broadcast and streaming programs for the 2024–2025 season. On broadcast alone, the series drew an average of 2.813 million viewers per episode. Accolades == Explanatory notes ==