"9-1-1: Lone Star" Ends, But Ryan Murphy Teases A New Spinoff On The Horizon

As "9-1-1: Lone Star" Nears It's Conclusion, Creator Ryan Murphy Hints At A Fresh Addition To The "9-1-1" Franchise, Set To Debut Next Fall.

Fans of the “9-1-1” universe are in for both bittersweet news and excitement. While one beloved show, 9-1-1: Lone Star, is coming to an end, Ryan Murphy, the mastermind behind the franchise, is already working on the next chapter. In a recent interview with Variety, Murphy confirmed that he and co-creator Tim Minear are developing a brand-new spinoff, aiming to hit the airwaves in fall of 2024.

Murphy reflected on the decision to wrap up 9-1-1: Lone Star, a series that launched in 2020 and has remained a hit on Fox. Despite its popularity, the show’s production and financial alignment with Fox, a network not owned by Disney (which owns 9-1-1's production company, 20th Television), posed challenges. “We all love ‘Lone Star,’ but the financials just didn’t work,” Murphy explained. “It’s a Disney company that was on a Fox network, and it just was never going to work. And we had a long run of it.”

Despite Lone Star’s end, Murphy’s creative gears are in motion. Although details of the upcoming spinoff are still under wraps, including the city it will be based in, Murphy teased that the new show is “fun” and promises to deliver the same adrenaline-fueled, emotionally charged storytelling that has kept fans glued to their screens for years.

ABC Embraces "9-1-1"

The main 9-1-1 series, which originally premiered on Fox in 2018, made a move to ABC after its sixth season. This shift was driven by its production under Disney’s 20th Television, allowing the series to find a more suitable home. Murphy acknowledged the strong performance of 9-1-1 on its new network, sharing that it has since become one of the most-watched shows on Thursday nights. “They obviously have an appetite for that, so we’re going to give them another one that I really love,” he hinted.

The Impact of "9-1-1: Lone Star"

9-1-1: Lone Star, starring Rob Lowe, premiered in 2020 and has remained a staple of Fox’s primetime lineup. Its fifth and final season launched on September 23, pulling in 3 million viewers on its premiere night. When including streaming data, it became the network’s largest scripted broadcast in Live +3 ratings since its previous season finale. Lowe, reflecting on the end of the series, mentioned that the cast and crew had approached the final season knowing it was likely the last.

"We wanted to really show everybody what is still possible in network television if people have the appetite to do it," Lowe told Variety in August. The show has consistently delivered cinematic-style storytelling, with intense action scenes, compelling character development, and large-scale rescues each week. Lowe expressed pride in what Lone Star achieved, stating, “They were truly like mini-movies every week.”

Lowe’s words carry weight, as the end of 9-1-1: Lone Star signals the conclusion of an era in network television. It also highlights the growing challenges for high-budget scripted series in a rapidly shifting media landscape, where streaming services and budget constraints are influencing the types of shows networks can produce.

The Future of the "9-1-1" Franchise

While 9-1-1: Lone Star fans may be disappointed by the show’s conclusion, Murphy’s news about the next spinoff should offer a glimmer of excitement. Although the new show’s concept and setting are still unknown, if Murphy’s track record is any indication, it will likely capture the heart-pounding drama and emotional depth that fans have come to love.

As Murphy continues to expand the 9-1-1 universe, the upcoming spinoff promises to deliver a fresh take on emergency response stories, perhaps introducing new characters, new crises, and a new city to explore. With 9-1-1 performing strongly on ABC and Hulu, the future of the franchise looks bright, even as it moves beyond Lone Star.

As we wait for more details to emerge, it’s clear that Murphy and his creative team are not done pushing the boundaries of network television, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for what’s next.

Conclusion: A New Era of "9-1-1" Awaits

Although 9-1-1: Lone Star is wrapping up, Ryan Murphy’s vision for the 9-1-1 universe is far from over. With a new spinoff on the horizon, fans can expect another action-packed, emotional rollercoaster set in a brand-new city. Stay tuned for more updates as Murphy and Minear continue to craft the next chapter in this beloved franchise.

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Source: Variety

Photo Credit: Walt Disney