It’s official: Fox’s hit first-responder drama 9-1-1: Lone Star will conclude with its upcoming fifth season, marking the end of the network’s final drama produced by former corporate sibling 20th Television. According to Deadline, the 12-episode season is set to premiere on September 23, with the series finale planned for early 2025, bringing the action-packed series to a close.
As mentioned by Deadline, 9-1-1: Lone Star has stood out as a key player in Fox’s lineup, particularly as one of the network’s last connections to 20th Television, which was sold to Disney in 2019. This shift impacted much of Fox’s programming, especially scripted series, as Lone Star was one of the few remaining dramas from the old corporate structure. The main series, 9-1-1, ended its run on Fox last year after six seasons and moved to ABC, Fox’s now-former sibling network under Disney.
The cancellation of Lone Star reflects broader changes in the television landscape, particularly in how non-vertically integrated networks like Fox are managing costs. With the shift to streaming and the decline of traditional linear TV, high-production series like 9-1-1: Lone Star are becoming more difficult to justify financially. According to Deadline, the production costs for the series, though not as high as 9-1-1, were still significant, with estimates far exceeding Fox’s current target range of $3 million to $4 million per episode.
Fox had considered extending the series, but talks with 20th Television fell through, closing the door on further episodes. Rob Lowe (The Outsiders, The West Wing, Youngblood), the series star and executive producer, had expressed interest in continuing if a deal could be reached; however, the economics simply didn’t pan out, according to Deadline.
According to Deadline, the upcoming fifth season will follow the crew of Austin’s 126 firehouse, led by Captains Owen Strand, played by Lowe and Tommy Vega, portrayed by Gina Torres (Suits, Firefly, A Legal Mind), as they face high-stakes rescues and personal challenges. The season’s opening storyline will revolve around a catastrophic train derailment, placing the lives of many, including members of the team, in danger.
Reflecting on the show’s impact, Fox TV Network President Michael Thorn praised creators Ryan Murphy (Dahmer, Glee, American Horror Story), Brad Falchuk (American Horror Story, Scream Queens, The Politician) and Tim Minear (The Inside, Drive, Wonderfalls) for crafting “one of the most action-packed dramas anywhere” and promised a thrilling sendoff for the series.
While 9-1-1: Lone Star won’t be returning for a sixth season, fans of the franchise may have more to look forward to, with rumors of a potential new spinoff from the 9-1-1 universe set in a different city. As Lone Star nears its conclusion, Fox is set to give the series a final, memorable farewell, celebrating the heroic stories that have captivated viewers for five seasons.