The 911 universe is expanding into new territories as the popular Ryan Murphy procedural franchise kickstarts a new era with upcoming spinoff 911: Nashville. Starring Chris O'Donnell, Jessica Capshaw, LeAnn Rimes, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (along with four new additions), it will air on Thursdays on ABC immediately after episodes from the mothership series' ninth season.
It's the second spinoff in the ever-expanding franchise, coming after 911: Lone Star wrapped up its run on FOX earlier this year. That show, like its parent series, was no longer viable for FOX to produce, but ABC didn't swoop in to save it (like it did with the original series) and thus it ended with its fifth and final season. However, one of its stars wouldn't be opposed to returning to the franchise in the new spinoff, especially now that he has a familial connection to the series.
Rob Lowe is open to returnning as Owen Strand in 911: Nashville
Rob Lowe is ready to return as Owen Strand. The Hollywood legend played the captain of the 118 for all five seasons on 911: Lone Star and he would be open to reprising the role in 911: Nashville if he got the call - especially as his brother Chad Lowe is an executive producer on the show.
As posted by 911TVNews, social media users spotted Chad on the set of the new spinoff ahead of the official confirmation that he would be working on the show. Also an actor, Chad portrayed Owen Strand's brother on 911: Lone Star, but he's also known for working behind-the-scenes, having directed episodes of both Lone Star and the original 911 series.
Rob reveals that he was actually the one to get Chad to appear on Lone Star, telling DECIDER that he
"hired him on Lone Star", so he would love if it his brother returned the favor. "I think turnabout is fair play":
"Well, I’ll have to ask Chad Lowe, my brother. See, all my family are gatekeepers to my own future business now... Chad Lowe is the executive producer, director of9-1-1 Nashville. And so I’m just waiting for my phone to ring"
Owen Strand was one of the main characters in 911: Lone Star, initially alongside Liv Tyler's Michelle Blake in season 1 and then Gina Torres' Tommy Vega from season 2 onwards. Having moved from New York City with his son TK, he became the new fire captain of the 126 in Texas, turning things around for the better.
As the captain of the fire crew, Lowe's Strand essentially played a similar role to that of Peter Krause's Bobby Nash in the main 911 series (and presumably Chris O'Donnell's Don Sharpe in 911: Nashville). Throughout the franchise's run, we have never seen any two fire captains interact with each other at the same time, so it would be intriguing to see what kind of role someone like Owen would have if he crossed paths with 911: Nashville's Captain Sharpe.
Unfortunately, we will never get to see the three fire captains in the same place at the same time after the original 911 series shockingly killed off Bobby Nash in its eighth season - a decision that resulted in outcry from fans. Although some are still holding out hope for a Bobby return in season 9, the most likely scenario in which we would see the three shows' respective fire captains cross over would be if Strand, Sharpe, and whoever Bobby's replacement as the 118's captain proved to be starred in a crossover.
Speaking of crossovers, a 911 and 911: Nashville event feels inevitable, with President of Disney Television Group Craig Erwich calling both shows' presence on the ABC network "an incredible opportunity" for creating a must-see special. Some 911 stars even have a wild idea for what it could be. Whether or not it would involve any characters from FOX's Lone Star remains to be seen.
Owen Strand was a bit more of a divisive lead character than Bobby Nash, with fans often struggling with the character's senseless and repetitive decisions. While it will be interesting to see where Don Sharpe lands in comparisons to the two, it goes without saying that it would be a pretty big TV event if Rob Lowe's fire captain did cross over with the new crew.
Never say never in the 911-verse.