9-1-1: Lone Star
Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear
Seasons 1-5
Starring Rob Lowe, Gina Torres, Jim Parrack, Ronen Rubinstein, Natacha Karam, Brian Michael Smith, Briana Baker, Julian Works, and Rafael Silva
All episodes available on Hulu.

by Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer

Say it with me folks: representation matters. Now, more so than ever, ​​audiences are demanding more authentic representation. People naturally want to feel seen, and being seen is something that could change the course of someone’s life. Television and media have the power to shape societal attitudes and spark change. A child could be sitting at home watching TV and see someone who looks at her and sees them do extraordinary things and feel as if they can also be exceptional. A scared closeted queer person can see another queer character on a television show and that character is the light at the end of their tunnel. In the past, Ryan Murphy has made some questionable decisions in his television shows but one thing he has strived for is representation of all stories. With the help of Brad Falchuk and my favorite showrunner, Tim Minear, they have fostered beautiful representation in the 9-1-1 universe. It seems like the world not only needs the escapism of the 9-1-1 universe but sees the pure joy of diverse stories that 9-1-1: Lone Star, specifically, shares with its audience.

9-1-1: Lone Star delivered a mix of thrilling rescues and character-driven stories. The show follows Captain Owen Strand (Rob Lowe), a veteran New York firefighter who moves to Austin to rebuild Firehouse 126 after a devastating explosion wipes out its crew, alongside his son, T.K. Strand (Ronen Rubinstein). To rebuild the 126, Owen builds a team of highly talented and trained firefighters. Owen recruits Marjan Marwani (Natacha Karam), a devout Muslim firefighter known for her fearless rescue and strong social media presence. The team also includes Paul Strickland (Brian Michael Smith) a highly skilled firefighter with a sharp intuition and calm demeanor and the sole survivor of the OG 126, Judd Ryder (Jim Parrack). The ensemble cast also includes dispatcher Grace Ryder (Sierra McClain), paramedic captain Tommy Vega (Gina Torres), paramedic Nancy Gillian (Brianna Baker), firefighter Mateo Chavez (Julian Works), and police officer Carlos Reyes (Rafael Silva). The series blends high-stakes emergency rescues with deeply personal stories. Like its predecessor, 9-1-1: Lone Star delivers intense action and impactful character-driven stories.  

Throughout its run on FOX, Lone Star tackled various compelling storylines. Between crossover fans and fans who have found the show with no idea about the 9-1-1 universe, Lone Star has built a name for itself. It follows a familiar procedural formula just with the Tim Minear/9-1-1 flare. One of 9-1-1: Lone Star’s standout qualities is its diverse and inclusive cast. The show doesn’t just include diversity for the sake of representation. Lone Star also tackles important social issues, weaving them into the fabric of its storytelling. From discussions of mental health and addiction to explorations of cultural identity and LGBTQ+ representation, the show uses its platform to spark conversations and promote understanding. There has always been a willingness to address social issues making it one of the more progressive procedurals on network television.  

In recent years, women have slowly moved up the ranks of network procedurals. Going from voiceless victims of a heinous crime to being in leadership positions. Thanks to characters like Oliva Benson (Mariska Hargitay) on Law & Order: SVU, women in leadership roles can be strong and empathetic. Lone Star is another show that continues to push women in the network procedural forward. Women like Tommy Vega who is a seasoned paramedic captain who balances her demanding career with being a mother. Despite the challenges of being a leader in a high-stakes profession, she never compromises her empathy or strength.

However, there is one badass woman who is herself and doesn’t apologize for it. She is fearless and will go to the ends of the earth to protect the ones she loves and that is Marjan Marwani. As a firefighter and social media influencer, Marjan is bold and confident. She proudly wears her hijab and is strong in her faith. She encompasses the power of women, especially Muslim women. Her hijab is not just a cultural symbol, but a part of her identity that she embraces with strength and confidence. Muslim representation in Lone Star is more than just showing Marjan devout in her faith, it goes beyond that. Marjan is a more nuanced representation of the faith and community. Characters like Marjan Marwani show that Muslims are not defined by one narrative, but are complex individuals with unique stories that are important to see on TV.

In 2025, the fight for immigrant rights and social justice remains a pressing issue in the United States. Latino communities have been at the forefront of strict immigration policies, border enforcement, and systemic discrimination. Immigration has continued to instill a constant fear in Latino communities, particularly in states like Texas. Fear of deportation prevents many immigrants from seeking healthcare, and enrolling their children in school, as they worry about attracting attention. This fear also extends to those who have a legal status. The past month has been chilling to watch the effects of the past election.

Our favorite probie turned real firefighter is more than just the 126’s comedic relief. In such a polarizing year so far, Mateo Chavez is such an important character to have had on our screens. Mateo’s character resonates not just with those directly impacted by immigration policies, but with anyone who believes in equality, resilience, and the power of community.

Mateo embodies the lived reality of DACA recipients—young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and have only known life in America. DACA recipients are not defined by their legal status but by their hopes, dreams, and ambitions to reach the stars regardless of what the stars may be to them. And Mateo challenges the harmful narrative about immigrants. He does this by just existing in Texas as a firefighter and giving back to his community, forming meaningful relationships with his team, and being silly. He exists. His character shows that immigrants are part of the fabric of American life. They are our first responders, doctors, and teachers.

Yes, even in 2025, Latino characters are still vastly underrepresented in lead roles, especially in non-stereotypical roles that reinforce harmful narratives. Historically, Latinos have been portrayed as gang members, maids, or often pigeonholed as the sidekick. Characters like Mateo, Tommy, and Carlos are breaking the mold of being the main characters of Lone Star’s storytelling. These characters are multi-dimensional characters with their own ambitions, relationships, and personal struggles. For five years, fans and millions of viewers have been able to see beautiful representations of positive Latino stories and that feels more important than ever.

The 9-1-1 universe has never shied away from queer representation on our television screens either. The show doesn’t tokenize its LGBTQ+ characters or allow them to fall into harmful tropes. The show has always fully integrated them into the team and their sole storylines. Lone Star had committed to the standard that was set in the 9-1-1 universe for inclusive storytelling in network television.

Texas is often associated with conservatism and traditional values, all while it has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. While Austin is known for being more progressive than other parts of Texas, the state as a whole has historically faced a plethora of political battles over basic queer human rights. By setting an inclusive, queer-affirming story in Texas, Lone Star challenges the stereotype that Texas is only for straight, cisgender individuals. It shows that queer people belong everywhere. That includes the heart of Texas.

When it comes to most first responder procedures on network television, they are traditionally focused on a specific type of idea of masculinity. Lone Star breaks that mold with its queer representation, proving that queer people exist and should exist in these spaces that are traditionally occupied by cis, straight people. The queer first responders of the 126 are also shown love and support by their 126 families. Lone Star shows what true acceptance and found family look like. In states like Texas, where queer people are still facing workplace discrimination, representation like this matters.

When you ask a fan of 9-1-1, they will always bring up the real feeling of found family that is the 118. It is one of the key elements that sets 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star apart from most procedurals. At the heart of both of these shows, there are deep, unbreakable bonds between the first responders. For better or for worse, they are each other’s family. The 126 is a team of headstrong first responders who are at times at odds with each other but when someone on the team needs them, they are always there to take the call. At every emergency, they put their lives into each other's hands, and on every game night, they are ready to face off over a game of Catan. Lone Star echoes the message of the 9-1-1 universe, family isn’t just about blood—it is about who is there with you through thick and thin. The people you call and show up when it matters the most.

For five seasons, queer people have been at the center of every storyline whether it is about their queerness or just everyday human experiences. The popular ship on the show, “Tarlos,” is made up of TK Strand and Carlos Reyes, a gay Latino police officer. Throughout the series, they have had their ups and downs. From TK’s struggles with substances to everyday couple struggles. Their love story is not treated differently from straight relationships on the show. Their love has been celebrated countless times on the show, including when they finally tied the knot.

Trans people have been at the forefront of queer liberation, fighting for the rights of all queer people. Trans people exist and have existed for centuries. However, it was only hours after the 2025 inauguration that it was declared that there are “only two genders.” With such a bold and harmful statement being made, it is more dire than ever to see trans people on our screens. Not only see them but see trans joy on our screens, trans people being uplifted by the people who love them the most. Paul Stickland has been a groundbreaking character to see on the network for the last five years.  

The network procedural has lacked positive trans representation on our television screens. His presence on Lone Star is historic for trans representation in the network procedural. There are a few storylines that center around his trans identity, however—a lot of his story is about him being a firefighter and doing the best he can. His identity as a trans man is acknowledged, respected, and most importantly loved by his team. He is shown as strong and independent. More importantly, we are shown a more emotionally vulnerable side of Paul, especially in his close friendships with Marjan and Mateo. By showing Paul as a competent, heroic firefighter it proves that trans people can exist and thrive in all spaces. Lone Star directly challenges the anti-trans rhetoric that has been rapidly increasing. Throughout its entire run, it has provided that LGBTQ+ characters can be more than shallow representation—they can be the heart of the story and exist like any other character.

At the heart of Lone Star is a relationship that has endured many ups and downs. Judd and Grace have been the heartbeat of the show. From the very first episode, their love story has stood as a beacon of strength not only to each other but to the 126. At the start of the series, Judd carries a heavy burden of survivor’s guilt. As the sole survivor of the original 126 firehouse, he is haunted by the tragedy of losing his entire team. His grief initially isolates him, and he is reluctant to change and accept a new family in the reformed 126. However, what keeps Judd from completely shutting down is Grace, his wife and greatest source of strength. She is his rock, the one person who truly understands his pain and refuses to let him drown. Over the last five years of the show, Judd and Grace have been a fan-favorite relationship in Lone Star. In a TV landscape where relationships often thrive on tension, betrayals, and breakups. With Judd and Grace what grips you and allows you to fall in love with their relationship is the way they show up for each other every single day.  

Too often, faith is used as a tool for exclusion. Now more than ever faith is being used as a tool to validate harm to many marginalized groups, commonly in the queer community. Lone Star presents a different narrative—one where faith is about compassion and embracing others without prejudice. One of the most profound aspects of Judd and Grace’s relationship is how it portrays faith in a positive, inclusive light. Grace, as a deeply religious woman, never uses her beliefs to judge others. When Judd struggles with his past mistakes, Grace never shames him or holds them against him. Instead, her faith leads her to forgiveness, understanding, and helping him heal. It’s a common theme with religious characters that they have a crisis of faith when approached with something that goes against their faith. Yet, we never see that with Grace or Judd. They have always loved and accepted the 126 and people from all walks of life. Through them, 9-1-1: Lone Star delivers a message that faith is not about judgment or exclusion. Faith at its very core is about love.  

At its core, 9-1-1: Lone Star is more than just a show about first responders—it’s a celebration of diversity, resilience, and the power of a found family. Yes, there are moments in the show that are so unbelievable and downright unhinged when it comes to the high-stake rescues on the show, but it's the escapism that we need now more so than ever. For five years Lone Star has balanced the ridiculousness with moments filled with heart. Through it all, Lone Star has led the way by embracing diversity in every form.

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