9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5’s Original Star Departure Creates 1 Big Problem

Summary

• Sierra McClain’s exit from 9-1-1: Lone Star will be challenging to explain in season 5.
• Grace won’t return in season 5, leaving a void in the show without her character.
• Season 5 of 9-1-1: Lone Star might mark the series’ finale due to cast contracts and costs.

9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 has been highly anticipated since the television show’s season 4 finale in May 2023, but one series regular’s exit prior to its premiere spells trouble for the upcoming episodes. The Fox procedural drama, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, serves as a spinoff of 9-1-1 and premiered in January 2020. Led by Rob Lowe, the cast of 9-1-1: Lone Star is made up of actors and actresses playing first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, in Texas (hence the “Lone Star” part of the show’s title).

9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 is scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2024 and consists of 12 episodes.

9-1-1: Lone Star debuted to impressive ratings and mostly positive reviews, and it was the second-highest rated drama on Fox during its fourth season, just behind 9-1-1 season 6. However, the network decided to cancel 9-1-1 in May 2023 because of its high production costs, and 9-1-1 was immediately picked up by ABC. Meanwhile, Fox renewed 9-1-1: Lone Star for season 5 because it’s cheaper than its parent series. But due to the 2023 strikes, cast contracts, and more, the show is likely ending following its season 5 finale (at least, on Fox).

Sierra McClain’s Exit Will Be Difficult To Explain On 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5

Grace Isn’t Returning In Season 5

Per Deadline, Sierra McClain won’t be reprising her role as 9-1-1 dispatcher Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 on Fox. McClain has been a part of the procedural drama’s main cast since its pilot episode, so, the star’s exit from 9-1-1: Lone Star is surprising, to say the least. Nevertheless, the show must go on as the cast and crew are in the midst of filming season 5’s episodes following several production delays, but it’s difficult to imagine a world where the 9-1-1 spinoff works without Grace.

Aside from the fact that Grace is a fan favorite on 9-1-1: Lone Star, her sudden absence will be tough to explain (unless the writers kill her offscreen, which would certainly be met with backlash from viewers) in season 5. Grace and Judd’s relationship is undoubtedly one of the show’s strongest dynamics and bright spots. There will be a void in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 without Grace and Judd’s bond, and it just won’t be the same, or as good, without McClain’s character.

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5 Could Be An Unsatisfying Ending

Season 5 Will Likely Be 9-1-1: Lone Star’s Final Outing

Many speculate that 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 will be its last, and McClain’s exit certainly points towards the rumors being true. Plus, the show has been off the air for over a year and Disney likely won’t extend the cast contracts, meaning they’ll have to be renegotiated for a sixth season (which would mean spending more money). Fox claims it hasn’t made a decision yet regarding the procedural drama’s fate. But it’ll probably end after season 5 (unless ABC or another network picks it up), and without McClain and a proper goodbye, 9-1-1: Lone Star might end on a mediocre note.

Summary Sierra McClain’s exit from 9-1-1: Lone Star will be challenging to explain in season 5. Grace won’t return in season 5, leaving a void in the show without her character. Season 5 of 9-1-1: Lone Star might mark the series’ finale due to cast contracts and costs. 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 has been highly…