9-1-1: Lone Starmay have aired its series finale, but the Texas-based spinoff’s lingering presence threatens to overshadow the franchise’s next project. The upcoming9-1-1spinoff will be the thirdRyan Murphy showfollowing first responders in a specific location, but the new setting feels too reminiscent of its predecessor.9-1-1’s next spinoff will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, though the cast and plot specifics are still unknown. Following theending of9-1-1: Lone Star, creating a spinoff set in Nashville feels less like a calculated decision and more like an attempt at a replacement for the canceled Texas crew.
Despite the controversial time jumpin9-1-1: Lone Star’s series finale, the franchise’s first spinoff retains a passionate, vocal following that continues mourning its cancelation. Yet, rather than any possible continuation for the characters we met in Austin, Texas,9-1-1: Nashvilleis instead doomed to come across as a mere imitation of9-1-1: Lone Star. Unless9-1-1’s second spinoff takes extreme precautions to establish a unique identity, its setting is already setting the series up for failure.
9-1-1’s 2nd Spinoff Being Set In Nashville Will Make It Very Similar To Lone Star
Tennessee & Texas Are Different, But Not Different Enough
WhileLone Star’s setting was immediately distinct from the original LA location of9-1-1, choosing Nashville for the next spinoff feels like a cop-out. Tennessee and Texas are different states with unique personalities, but any setting is inevitably watered down for a fictional series. Whatever special identity Tennessee has will undeniably be diluted and end up blending in with the general Southern tone already explored in9-1-1: Lone Star. While Nashville as a city is well-known for its illustrious music scene,9-1-1’s spinoff can only explore that angle for so long before it becomes stale.
9-1-1: Nashvilleis slated to premiere on ABC alongside9-1-1, unlikeLone Star, which aired on Fox.
9-1-1: Nashvillebeing the direct successor ofLone Starmeans that it not only has to prove its merit as a new series, it has to prove that it isn’t a mere counterfeit. If Nashville includes a call that feels too similar to even one of9-1-1: Lone Star’s intense rescues, it will instantly lose all credibility as an original series. Consequently,9-1-1: Nashvilleis fighting an uphill battle before it even premieres, all due to its Tennessee setting.
Where 9-1-1’s 2nd Spinoff Should Have Been Set
This Could’ve Been The Franchise’s Chance To Branch Out
When9-1-1’s second spinoff was announced, I was equally excited and relieved that the franchise would be taking its tried-and-true premise to an entirely new region. Following the original West Coast and the first spinoff’s Southern settings, it felt logical that the franchise would take a bolder risk than Nashville. There were manypossible cities for9-1-1’s second spinoffthat could take the franchise into a brand-new direction to breathe new life into the formula with a unique setting.Taking9-1-1to the Midwest, East Coast, Pacific Northwest, etc. could have offered fresh local culturesto add character.
10 Lessons 9-1-1 Can Learn From Lone Star
With 9-1-1 season 8’s midseason premiere nearing, the ABC procedural has a few notes it can take from its sister series, 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Of course, there’s still time for them to find an approach that won’t feel derivative. Although it will be difficult for9-1-1: Nashvilleto be distinctive, it isn’t impossible. As long as the second spinoff showcases the little idiosyncrasies that make Tennessee different from Texas, its identity will stand out enough to give the series room to grow outside the shadow of its predecessors. At least while9-1-1: Nashvilleis still in development,9-1-1: Lone Starwill retain its monopoly on the franchise’s Southern representation.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Cast
A spin-off series of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star is an action-drama series created for Fox. The series follows Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter from New York City who, after having rebuilt a team in the aftermath of September 11th’s attacks, is brought in to form a new one in Austin, Texas.
9-1-1
9-1-1 is a television series that explores the intense experiences of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters. Premiered in 2018, it follows these emergency responders as they navigate high-pressure situations and attempt to balance their demanding work with personal challenges in their own lives.
