Inside the financial woes behind Lone Star’s cancellation, Rob Lowe’s heartfelt exit, and Ryan Murphy’s plans for a tropical 9-1-1 successor.
Why did 9-1-1: Lone Star end after five seasons?
FOX pulled the plug on the Texas-set drama in 2024, with creator Ryan Murphy revealing to Variety that financial tensions between Disney (Fox’s parent company) and production costs made continuation impossible.
Despite its loyal fanbase, the “numbers just didn’t work,” leaving the cast and crew to craft a farewell season packed with emotional crescendos.
How did Rob Lowe feel about the cancellation?
Lowe, who starred as Austin firefighter Owen Strand, saw the end coming. “We wanted to prove network TV still has value,” he told Variety, reflecting on the show’s “mini-movie” scale.
His final episodes doubled as a love letter to first-responder storytelling, blending bombastic rescues with heartfelt camaraderie—like Judd’s tear-jerking line about “loving his team more than brothers.”
Will fans see Lone Star characters again?
While spinoff plans remain under wraps, Murphy and co-creator Tim Minear are eyeing Hawaii for a fresh 9-1-1 installment.
Though Minear told TVLine he has “no plans” to revive Marjan or Strand, crossover possibilities aren’t ruled out. The new series, targeting a 2026 release, aims to replicate 9-1-1’s ABC success with a fresh locale and cast.
What’s next for the original 9-1-1 series?
Angela Bassett’s flagship LA-based drama returns March 6 for the back half of Season 8. While its renewal hangs in limbo, fans can binge past seasons on Hulu—a fitting comfort as Lone Star’s lights dim.
Quick Facts:
- Canceled after 5 seasons (2020–2025) due to Disney-Fox budget clashes.
- A new Hawaii-set spinoff is in development for 2026.
- Original 9-1-1 (Season 8) airs on ABC; stream all seasons on Hulu.