Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sensitive first responder spin-off has violence, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
9-1-1 Lone Star
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the show is entertaining and features a diverse cast with positive role models, making it appealing for older teens and adults. However, the content includes some graphic violence and heavy themes such as drug addiction and mental health, which may not be suitable for younger viewers, and some reviewers suggest caution when allowing children to watch it.
- diverse cast
- heavy themes
- graphic content
- suitable for teens
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The 9-1-1 series spinoff 9-1-1- LONE STAR follows New York firefighter Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) as he helps restart an Austin, Texas firehouse. The lone survivor of his Manhattan firehouse on 9/11 twenty years ago, Captain Strand had to reassemble a new team of firefighters and help it start over. Now he's in Texas to help reassemble Firehouse 126 after a tragic explosion killed all but one firefighter. Tasked with assembling a talented and diverse new crew, he recruits devout Muslim Marjan Marwani (Natacha Karam), openly transgender firefighter Paul Strickland (Brian Michael Smith), and detail-oriented rookie Mateo Chavez (Julian Works). Strand's troubled son and firefighter T.K. (Ronen Rubenstein) joins them. Along with the help of chief paramedic Michelle Blake (Liv Tyler), Officer Carlos Reyes (Rafael Silver), and emergency dispatch operator Grace Ryder (Sierra McClain), they risk their lives to help people during major emergencies. But struggling to cope is Grace's husband Judd, (Jim Parrack), who was 126's sole surviving firefighter.
Is It Any Good?
This dramatic series offers a compelling and sensitive story world in which firefighters and rescue crews are committed to doing their job while grieving those who have died doing theirs. Through Captain Strand, the memory of 9/11 is a consistent theme as he deals with its far-reaching aftermath, and uses this experience to help Judd Ryder and the rest of the team. But 9-1-1 Lone Star offers enough action-packed scenes, daring rescues, romantic entanglements, and funny tension-easing moments to keep it from feeling too heavy. No doubt that fans of the original series will enjoy tuning in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of 9-1-1 Lone Star's central themes. What messages does it send about the ongoing deaths and illnesses associated with 9/11? The lack of diversity among firefighters?
What is the role of first responders like the ones depicted in the 9-1-1 series? Do you think their jobs are as dramatic as they appear on these shows?
What kinds of pressure do real-life first responders face on a daily basis? How do they cope?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 19, 2020
- Cast : Rob Lowe , Liv Tyler , Ronen Rubenstein
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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