Ryan Murphy opens up about the cancellation of 9-1-1: Lone Star. The 9-1-1 spinoff starring Rob Lowe debuted in 2020 on Fox, focusing on the stories of first responders in Austin, Texas. Though the flagship series recently debuted its eighth season and will continue on ABC, where it moved after Fox cancelled it, 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 will be the show’s last. It just premiered on September 23 and will be comprised of 12 episodes.
When speaking with Variety, Murphy, who created both 9-1-1 and Lone Star alongside Tim Minear and Brad Falchuk, commented on the reasons behind the beloved show’s cancelation, alluding to financial difficulties. Though the franchise will continue on with the original show and an in-the-works spinoff, which Murphy revealed in the same conversation, Lone Star‘s end sounds like it was inevitable. Murphy said:
Sadly, we all love ‘Lone Star,’ but
the financials just didn’t work.
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. So now we’re going to launch a new show in a new city that I can’t name, but it’s fun.
What This Means For The 9-1-1 Franchise
The Loss Of Lone Star Is Rough, But The Franchise Has A Future
The decision to cancel 9-1-1: Lone Star seems to be part of a larger trend of TV networks reassessing long-running shows amid shifts in streaming competition and budget constraints. Lone Star had carved out its own identity by focusing on Austin-based emergency responders, and the dynamic interplay between the original 9-1-1 and its spinoff helped solidify both. Over the course of its run, Lone Star has explored critical social issues and deep emotional arcs. Stories about grief, mental health, family dynamics, and social justice were included in the action-heavy series, giving it an extra layer of depth beyond its explosive rescue scenes.
Although Lone Star is ending, Murphy’s reveal that another 9-1-1 spinoff is in the works ensures the franchise will continue, and it could even find opportunities to bring back various Lone Star characters.
However, despite its popularity, different factors may have contributed to the show’s ending. Ratings in the later seasons, while solid, were not as strong as earlier on, and rising production costs, especially with the elaborate stunt work and special effects, could have played a part in the decision to cancel the show. Although Lone Star is ending, Murphy’s reveal that another 9-1-1 spinoff is in the works ensures the franchise will continue, and it could even find opportunities to bring back various Lone Star characters.
Our Take On The Future Of 9-1-1
It’s An Opportunity To Explore Other Stories
Murphy seems excited about bringing a new 9-1-1 story and characters to the screen, so although fans might be disappointed, this cancelation does not mean that the 9-1-1 universe is coming to an end. The upcoming spinoff could mean the beginning of a new era. This time, with ABC’s partnership, the spinoff might be able to attract new viewers by portraying new stories, and it will hopefully match the success of the original show. The end of 9-1-1: Lone Star is certainly a blow, particularly because of the financial reasons for its cancellation, but there could be a bright future ahead for the franchise.
Source: Variety
