Clear the sirens and cue the steel guitar — 9-1-1 is going country. This fall, ABC is trading Los Angeles skyscrapers and Texas plains for the smoky skyline of Tennessee’s music capital in 9-1-1: Nashville, the franchise’s latest high-stakes, heart-pounding drama. And at the center of it all? Former NCIS: Los Angeles star Chris O’Donnell, stepping out of his tailored suits and into firefighter gear.
The new series — premiering October 16 on ABC — pairs O’Donnell with Grey’s Anatomy alum Jessica Capshaw, alongside country superstar LeAnn Rimes and fan-favorite actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley. The four headline a cast that promises to bring the same adrenaline-packed emergencies fans expect from the 9-1-1 universe, but with a distinctly Nashville twist.
A New Beat for a Proven Formula
Just months after 9-1-1: Lone Star wrapped its five-season run, creator Ryan Murphy wasted no time expanding the franchise into new territory. But showrunner Rashad Raisani insists this isn’t just a copy-paste job in a different zip code.
“We have an Airstream trailer that ends up on top of a bridge and a poor guy on a Segway tour who ends up impaled on a water tower,” Raisani teased to TVLine. “We’re talking about a bunch of crazy emergencies where people end up in places they definitely shouldn’t be.”
And while the DNA remains pure 9-1-1 — equal parts action, emotion, and occasional absurdity — Raisani says Nashville is drawing inspiration from unexpected places: prestige dramas like Succession and Dynasty.
“The show begins with an explosive revelation that shakes a character’s entire world,” he revealed. “And yes, we shamelessly use tornadoes as a metaphor for the storms brewing in their personal lives.”
From Courtroom Friends to On-Screen Spouses
For O’Donnell and Capshaw, 9-1-1: Nashville marks a full-circle reunion over 20 years in the making. The pair first worked together on The Practice in 2003, long before O’Donnell’s 14-year run as Special Agent G. Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles.
Jessica’s character, Blythe, comes from Nashville high society — a wealthy background shaken by a devastating ranch fire. Chris plays Don Sharpe, a blue-collar firefighter who unexpectedly finds himself part of Blythe’s elite family.
“I’m sure I wasn’t her parents’ first pick,” O’Donnell joked. “My character is constantly straddling two worlds: the firehouse and this very high-end, very visible family in Nashville.”
Capshaw, meanwhile, has nothing but praise for her co-star. Speaking on her podcast Call It What It Is with Grey’s Anatomy’s Camilla Luddington, she gushed: “I adore Chris and have known him for such a long time. Back when we first met, I was this baby actress, and he was already so accomplished.”
Family Drama, Firehouse Brotherhood, and Country Music Cameos
Adding to the mix is Michael Provost (Insatiable), playing Blythe and Don’s son, Ryan. Capshaw says their first scene together set the tone for a strong on-screen family bond. “I feel so lucky to work with such a talented and kind person,” she said.
And then there’s LeAnn Rimes, pulling double duty between filming and her music career. According to Capshaw, Rimes’ dedication is unmatched. “She literally did a show in Hawai‘i, caught two connections, landed in Nashville at some ungodly hour, and was still on set for a 5 AM call the next morning. She’s game for anything.”
Why Nashville? Why Now?
With NCIS: Los Angeles having wrapped in 2023, O’Donnell’s pivot to 9-1-1 feels like a fresh reinvention. Nashville offers the franchise a brand-new visual and cultural backdrop: tornadoes instead of earthquakes, honky-tonks instead of Hollywood clubs, and an undercurrent of Southern tradition meeting modern chaos.
For Raisani, the city’s unique blend of glitz, grit, and music history made it irresistible. “It’s a place where image matters, but real danger is just a heartbeat away. That contrast is gold for storytelling.”
Mark Your Calendars
9-1-1: Nashville premieres Thursday, October 16, on ABC, with all episodes available the next day on Hulu. Whether you’re a die-hard franchise fan or just curious to see Chris O’Donnell swap tactical ops for Tennessee wildfires, this is one spin-off that promises to hit all the right notes.
Because in Nashville, even emergencies come with a little twang.
