ABC Paves The Way For The Much-Clamored 9-1-1: Lone Star Return

Published Oct 16, 2026, 2:19 PM EDT Alexandria is a British-Canadian writer with a passion for network TV. She has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Aston University, Birmingham. After initially working as a software tester, she rekindled a passion for writing and has written for blogs and publications like Hidden Remote, Make a Living Writing, and The Daily Voice. She has interviewed various actors and showrunners, with her most memorably being Tony Shalhoub and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Warning! Spoilers ahead for the 9-1-1: Nashville season 2 premiere. As soon as details about Ryan Phillippe's character on 9-1-1: Nashville were mentioned, ideas started circulating about a crossover with 9-1-1: Lone Star. Co-creator and executive producer Rashad Raisani has even said that he wants to bring the Lone Star characters back, but there are a few limitations to this. However, with Detective Rogue Kelly coming into the story, the basis of the idea was formed. At first, the best opening for a 9-1-1: Lone Star crossover was to have Ryan Phillippe's Rogue know Owen Strand from his days in New York, but all that has changed with the 9-1-1: Nashville season 2 premiere. One small detail about his personal life immediately captured viewers' attention, making it clear that Raisani is definitely planting the seeds for not only a character return, but a much bigger crossover event. Now, the only question is whether schedules will align. A major issue with bringing back 9-1-1: Lone Star characters is that all the actors have been released from their contracts. They have moved on to other projects, and it could be a logistical problem to get everyone back together. However, just a small group would be enough to make 9-1-1: Lone Star fans happy. How Rogue Is The Perfect Way For A 9-1-1: Lone Star Crossover Since Rogue lived in New York, the idea of him knowing Owen Strand wasn't a bonkers one. However, the 9-1-1: Nashville season 2 premiere offered another way in with one quick line. Rogue mentioned that he has two sons in college, one in Los Angeles and another in Austin, the two locations of 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star. With one of Rogue's sons in Austin, it would make sense that he would start to make friends there. Rogue didn't even share his son's career aspirations, just that he was in college, which could open the door for him to work in the hospital and have a direct connection to the 126. There is no need to set up a wild storyline for Rogue to head to Austin, and with the way he's bonding with Ryan, he would likely go along with him. Thanks to Rogue's other son being in Los Angeles, another crossover is possible. That could lead to a connection with someone in the 118. Based on both sons being in college, the best connection could be with Harry Grant, as he is college-age as well. While he's not in in school, the 118 could end up at a college career fair, leading to an interaction and a friendship. How A Three-Way 9-1-1 Crossover Could Work A crossover would need to tread more into the police side of things rather than the firefighters, which is much easier now that 9-1-1: Nashville has joined the franchise's tradition of incorporating law enforcement. If Rogue's sons found something that connected their two cities and passed it onto their dad, it would be plausible for Rogue to investigate and lean on both Athena and Carlos for expertise in their locations. 9-1-1 and its spinoffs have managed to offer mini crossover moments in the past. Cammie was on the other end of the phone when Maddie called around to get help to remain connected with Athena and Hen in space, and Athena popped up on a video call when Carlos and Grace handled a mystery. These moments are excellent gateways into bigger crossovers. Scratch & Peek Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible. A small nugget into the idea of a crossover could work through a video call between Rogue and one of his sons. If it's the one in Austin, one of the 126 could be in the background to offer that initial cameo, then develop into a mystery that involves all three cities, thus bringing the 118, 126, and 113 together. 9-1-1: Nashville has opened the doors for a much-clamored idea of a three-way crossover event in the simplest way possible. 9-1-1: Nashville Release Date October 9, 2025 Network ABC A spin-off of the hit series 9-1-1 focusing on various first responders in Nashville, Tennessee, balancing their life-threatening professions with their off-the-clock personal lives and pursuits. 9-1-1: Lone Star Release Date 2020 - 2025-00-00 Network FOX 9-1-1: Lone Star follows Owen Strand, a New York firefighter who relocates to Austin with his son to rebuild a firehouse after a tragedy. As Owen implements progressive firefighting techniques, he conceals a personal struggle that threatens his life. 9-1-1 8/10 Release Date January 3, 2018 Network ABC, FOX A group of first responders—including police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and dispatchers—manage emergencies while balancing out their personal lives.