While a crossover between 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star won’t happen for a variety of reasons, Season 8 of the main series did treat viewers to a cameo from a fan favorite from the spinoff series. Gina Torres narrated a flashback scene in Season 8 of 9-1-1, Episode 2, during the burial of Athena’s ex-boyfriend, Emmett. Although Torres didn’t appear, her unique voice was instantly recognizable. 9-1-1 showrunner Tim Minear spoke to TV Line about the cameo and invited Torres to do the voiceover. Minear told the publication that he needed to hear the mood when the voiceover was added during editing. Torres wasn’t considered for the role, but given her extensive work with the showrunner, he knew what the voice sounded like. He needed a calm voice because he “really wanted to understand what this moment would be like,” so he called someone who had that voice. The voiceover took a few takes, and in the final editing phase, Minear decided to keep it in the final cut. He said of lending Torres’ voice, “I called Gina and just said, ‘Hey, can you do a little voice for me?’ I needed a great voice, and she has the best voice. She was even the voice on a ride at Disney World, if I’m not mistaken — and I’m not mistaken.”
Reasons have been floated for the future of the characters on 9-1-1: Lone Star. Canceling the show seems unlikely because it seems like there are still plenty of stories to tell as they move into the next phase of their lives. From spinoffs to relocations, there are no shortage of options for continuing these stories without 9-1-1: Lone Star. “I’m always looking for reasons to hire Gina Torres,” Minear said when it comes to voice acting. When asked if 9-1-1 or another spinoff currently in development could absorb any of the characters from 9-1-1: Lone Star, Minear said, “I don’t have any plans for that right now, but it’s not impossible.”
So far, it doesn’t appear that there’s any potential for the spinoff series to join its parent show on ABC. A 9-1-1: Lone Star spinoff has been proposed, but there’s no confirmation yet on whether that will happen. Meanwhile, 9-1-1 Season 8 continues on ABC on Thursdays, while 9-1-1: Lone Star’s farewell season airs on Fox on Mondays.
