8 Best Characters To Join 9-1-1 After Lone Star Ends
Unsurprisingly, Fox has canceled 9-1-1: Lone Star, and season 5 will be its last, but that doesn’t mean fans have to say goodbye to the characters (at least, some of them) forever. The procedural drama TV show created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, follows the first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and 9-1-1 operators, located in Austin, Texas. As its name suggests, 9-1-1: Lone Star serves as a spinoff of 9-1-1, which is in the midst of airing its eighth season (now on ABC) while 9-1-1: Lone Star is coming to an end with season 5.
9-1-1 co-creators Ryan Murphy and Tim Minear are reportedly developing another spinoff to add to the franchise in the wake of the loss of 9-1-1: Lone Star , and per Deadline, one of the main locations they are eyeing is Hawai’i.
Many suspected it was only a matter of time before Fox canceled the spinoff after 9-1-1 moved to ABC with season 7 and reports about failed salary negotiations by the cast. It also didn’t help that the cost of producing 9-1-1: Lone Star was rather high. So, when the network announced that the procedural series was ending, many weren’t shocked. However, that didn’t stop viewers from mourning the loss of 9-1-1: Lone Star. Hopefully, though, the season 5 finale (aka the series finale) won’t be the last time the audience sees the Station 126 crew.
8. Owen Strand
Played By Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe’s Owen Strand is the face of 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, so, it just makes sense that his character would be one of the most likely to join the 9-1-1 cast. Owen is the captain of Station 126, having moved from New York to Texas at the series’ beginning. Sadly, Owen lost his entire firehouse on 9/11 and was forced to rebuild the station. Lowe’s character moved to Austin to do the same thing for the 126, and it’s safe to say that his experience and skill are unmatched, making him a worthy candidate to transfer to Station 118.
Perhaps the loss of Owen’s brother during the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 4 finale calls for a change in his life and the series finale concludes with Lowe’s character deciding to move out of Texas (and to California). Plus. 9-1-1‘s Bobby Nash was trying to retire before he returned to the 118 during season 8, episode 4. Bobby could change his mind once again, leaving the captain position open for Owen to take once 9-1-1: Lone Star ends after season 5.
7. TK Strand
Played By Ronen Rubinstein
Maybe Rob Lowe will be too busy to reprise his role as Owen Strand in 9-1-1 after season 5 of Lone Star ends. However, his character’s son, TK Strand, played by Ronen Rubinstein, could easily transfer to Station 118 in Los Angeles. TK just married his longtime love interest, Carlos Reyes, during the season 4 finale, and although they went through a rough patch at the beginning of season 5, the couple has made it through to the other side and is stronger than ever.
So, if TK were to move to Los Angeles following the procedural drama’s finale, Carlos would have to come with him (which would be warmly welcomed, of course). The married couple might be looking for a change of scenery following the events of season 5. As a result, they move to California. Since TK has already met some of the Station 118 crew (during the one-sided 9-1-1: Lone Star crossover with 9-1-1 in season 2 of the spinoff), he already has an in and could easily get a job there in 9-1-1 season 9 (if and when ABC renews the show).
6. Carlos Reyes
Played By Rafael L. Silva
As mentioned above, if TK is heading to Los Angeles, so is Carlos. Like Owen and TK, Carlos Reyes, played by Rafael L. Silva, has been one of the main characters in 9-1-1: Lone Star since the beginning. He’s an integral part of the Fox procedural drama TV series and is undoubtedly one of the most beloved characters in the spinoff. Plus, Carlos and TK’s relationship is a fan favorite among those who watch the 9-1-1 franchise. Consequently, it would be wise to transfer both Carlos and TK to 9-1-1 once their show ends.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5 Cast | Role |
---|---|
Rob Lowe | Owen Marshal Strand |
Ronen Rubinstein | Tyler Kennedy “TK” Strand |
Jim Parrack | Judson “Judd” Ryder |
Natacha Karam | Marjan Marwani |
Brian Michael Smith | Paul Strickland |
Rafael L. Silva | Carlos Tomas Reyes |
Julian Works | Mateo Chavez |
Gina Torres | Tommy Vega |
Brianna Baker | Nancy Gillian |
Kelsey Yates | Isabella “Izzy” Vega |
Skyler Yates | Evie Vega |
Jackson Pace | Wyatt Harris |
Robyn Lively | Marlene Harris |
Out of all the characters in 9-1-1: Lone Star, Carlos and TK moving to Los Angeles is probably the most believable. Carlos’ father was murdered during the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 4 finale, and he has been consumed with solving the case and bringing those responsible to justice in season 5. Once Carlos finds the culprit (because he will), he might want a fresh start, prompting him and TK to leave for California and join the 9-1-1 cast.
5. Tommy Vega
Played By Gina Torres
Even though Gina Torres didn’t join the cast until season 2, Tommy Vega is still one of the most likable characters in 9-1-1: Lone Star. Therefore, Tommy transferring from Station 126 in Austin, Texas, to Station 118 in Los Angeles, California, would be a widely welcomed move for the 9-1-1 producers. Torres shines in anything she does, and the actress has undoubtedly brought plenty of intrigue and complexity to her character in the spinoff series.
Following Tommy’s proposal to Trevor in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, perhaps the couple will marry and decide to start this new chapter of their life in Los Angeles.
Torres has already technically made a cameo in 9-1-1 on ABC. During season 8, episode 2, “When the Boeing Gets Tough,” a flashback to Emmett Washington’s (Athena Grant’s former fiancé) funeral is shown. Torres voices the dispatcher who announces Emmett’s last call, saying:
“All units, clear the air for priority traffic. Dispatch calling 237, Officer Washington. This is the final call for 237. Officer Emmett Washington is 10-7. Thank you for your dedication, service, and loyalty. You can rest easy. We have the watch from here.”
Torres was simply voicing the part of the dispatcher, rather than playing the role of Tommy in 9-1-1. So, Tommy technically hasn’t physically appeared in the original series. Nevertheless, following Tommy’s proposal to Trevor in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, perhaps the couple will marry and decide to start this new chapter of their life in Los Angeles. Of course, there is the issue of separating Trevor’s daughter from her mother, but that’s a simple problem that can be fixed.
4. Grace Ryder
Played By Sierra McClain
Sadly, Sierra McClain exited 9-1-1: Lone Star ahead of season 5, but that doesn’t mean she can’t return in 9-1-1. The spinoff didn’t kill off her character, Grace Ryder, so she could easily come back in the original show. Instead, the writers explained Grace’s absence by having her join Mercy Ships, a faith-based international organization that provides life-saving healthcare and surgery to those who normally wouldn’t have access to medical care around the world. So, Grace could return to the 9-1-1 universe at any time.
Idealistically, if Grace moves to 9-1-1 , Judd will accompany her.
Similar to TK and Carlos, the only problem with Grace joining the cast of 9-1-1 after season 8 is that her husband, Judd Ryder, would also likely have to tag along.9-1-1: Lone Star‘s explanation for Grace’s absence in season 5 was already disappointing. It’s quite unlike Grace to just up and leave her husband and their young daughter. However, it would be even more unrealistic if Grace and Judd got a divorce. Idealistically, if Grace moves to 9-1-1, Judd will accompany her.
3. Judd Ryder
Played By Jim Parrack
As covered in Grace’s section, she and Judd, portrayed by Jim Parrack, are a package deal. Either both or neither of them can make the move from 9-1-1: Lone Star to 9-1-1 after season 5 of the spinoff ends. Hopefully, it’s the former, as Grace and Judd are a beloved couple not only in 9-1-1: Lone Star but also in the entire 9-1-1 franchise. Their relationship is one of the most exciting ones to watch and root for (which is why Grace’s exit ahead of season 5 was so heartbreaking).
It could also make sense if Judd transferred from Station 126 in Texas to Station 118 in Los Angeles. Parrack’s character briefly retired at the beginning of 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 before returning to firefighting by the end of the three-part premiere. However, Judd couldn’t simply step back into his role as a lieutenant. Instead, he’s back at the bottom.
Parrack explained the storytelling decision to TVLine, “If you transfer from somewhere else, and you haven’t retired, you get to keep your status. But if you retire and come back, you’ve got to start at the bottom.” Maybe Judd doesn’t want to go through the process again, and he will just transfer to the 118 in 9-1-1 to resume his lieutenant status.
2. Marjan Marwani
Played By Natacha Karam
Natacha Karam’s Marjan Marwani is one of the most underrated and bravest characters in 9-1-1: Lone Star and she should get a chance to shine in the original series. She is a dynamic character with so many layers, making her one of the more interesting ones to watch. Plus, Marjan’s status as a viral online personality suggests she would fit right in in Los Angeles in 9-1-1 on ABC.
New episodes of 9-1-1 season 8 air on Thursdays at 8 pm ET on ABC, and 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET on Fox.
Marjan stepped down from being considered for the open lieutenant position in season 5, while Paul Strickland was awarded the promotion. Perhaps this decision will influence Marjan to move out of Texas and transfer to a different firehouse (like Station 118). Only time will tell how Marjan’s story ends in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, though, and if the writers want to continue her story by adding her to the 9-1-1 cast.
1. Michelle Blake
Played By Liv Tyler
Yes, Michelle Blake hasn’t appeared in 9-1-1: Lone Star since the season 1 finale. However, it would still be exciting to see Liv Tyler reprise her role in the original series, even if it does come more than five years after Tyler exited 9-1-1: Lone Star. Adding Tyler to the 9-1-1 cast would also be a much easier feat than trying to work any of the characters who appear in season 5 into the original procedural drama TV series.
9-1-1 Season 8 Cast | Role |
---|---|
Angela Bassett | Athena Grant-Nash |
Peter Krause | Robert “Bobby” Nash |
Oliver Stark | Evan “Buck” Buckley |
Aisha Hinds | Henrietta “Hen” Wilson |
Kenneth Choi | Howard “Chimney” Han |
Jennifer Love Hewitt | Maddie Han |
Ryan Guzman | Edmundo “Eddie” Díaz |
Gavin McHugh | Christopher Díaz |
Lou Ferrigno Jr. | Tommy Kinard |
After all these years, Michelle might be ready to return to the world of first responders. However, instead of resuming her position at Station 126 in Austin, Texas, Tyler’s character could join the 118 in California in 9-1-1. Tyler reprising her role as Michelle is rather unlikely, but it would still be one of the more interesting options when considering which 9-1-1: Lone Star characters could make the move from the spinoff to the original show.