9-1-1: Nashville’s Casting News Gives Me Hope For The Spinoff’s Individuality (But Now I’m Worried For Another Reason Entirely)

9-1-1: Nashville has slowly begun to reveal more iconic cast members, but the implications they have on the story could be a double-edged sword. 9-1-1’s second spinoff was confirmed in late 2024, ahead of 9-1-1: Lone Star’s series finale, which said goodbye to the franchise’s Texas-based title just in time to introduce the new titular setting: Nashville, Tennessee. The ending of 9-1-1: Lone Star was bittersweet, but it perfectly left the door open for the franchise’s next chapter. Yet, despite the spinoff being slated to appear on ABC’s 2025 schedule, little has been revealed about what’s in store.

The secrecy has both helped and hurt the new series already. Chris O’Donnell and Jessica Capshaw were previously the only leads named, but the brief character description of O’Donnell’s Captain Don Sharpe sounded eerily familiar to Rob Lowe’s Owen Strand, raising questions about whether 9-1-1: Nashville will be too similar to Lone Star. With its most recent casting confirmation, however, 9-1-1: Nashville seems primed to blaze a wholly new trail for the franchise.

9-1-1: Nashville’s Cast Will Include LeAnn Rimes & Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Both Are Familiar Faces

Joining O’Donnell and Capshaw in 9-1-1: Nashville are two major country legends: LeAnn Rimes and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (via Variety). LeAnn Rimes has been a household name since she debuted in the 1990s, cementing her place in country music history with her breakout album, Blue. Rimes earned critical and commercial acclaim, quickly becoming recognizable enough to play herself on television before she was even 20-years-old. Aside from guest-starring as herself, Rimes branched out with roles like Madison on Days of Our Lives and Meg Galligan in Northern Lights. Most recently, Rimes has been a mentor on international seasons of The Voice.

LeAnn Rimes is the youngest individual Grammy Award winner in history, taking home Best Country Vocal Performance and Best New Artist in 1997, at the age of 14.

Similarly, Kimberly Williams-Paisley has ties to country music both on and off-screen. Williams-Paisley’s breakout role came in 1991’s Father of the Bride (Annie Banks), but she is most widely remembered for her recurring character, Margaret “Peggy” Kenter, in Nashville. Aside from her acting, Williams-Paisley married country musician Brad Paisley in 2003, with their family residing in Nashville, Tennessee. 9-1-1: Nashville hasn’t revealed the names of Rimes and Williams-Paisley’s characters, but they are only the third and fourth names attached to the project, implying crucial roles.

Casting Iconic Country Stars Makes 9-1-1: Nashville Unique

Music Is What Makes Tennessee Distinct From Texas

Although 9-1-1: Nashville seemed sabotaged by Lone Star— given the glaring similarities between Texas and Tennessee— leaning into Nashville’s niche of country music stardom will help the spinoff apart from its predecessors. It’s surely no coincidence that both Rimes and Williams-Paisley are big names in the country music scene, with the latter even residing in Nashville. It’s still possible that Rimes and Williams-Paisley were cast for country roots but will portray unique characters, but 9-1-1: Nashville exploring the country music angle could be interesting.

9-1-1: Lone Star placed a heavy emphasis on its Texas setting, often trying to incorporate the local culture within its emergencies and overarching narratives. From characters visiting “curanderas” to riding horses in scenic meadows, the first spinoff embraces its eccentricity as a Southern take on 9-1-1. The culture helped it stand out for years, but Lone Star’s absence could set 9-1-1: Nashville up for success or failure. Finding something new to integrate into the Tennessee version is vital, but 9-1-1: Nashville needs to set its limits.

9-1-1: Nashville Will Have To Balance Its Music Culture With The Franchise Premise

Being Unique From 9-1-1: Lone Star Is Only The First Step

For as entertaining as it may be, 9-1-1: Nashville can’t go all-in on country music. The centerpiece of the series needs to be the first responders navigating 9-1-1’s hallmark intense disasters, and it wouldn’t just be disappointing for the Nashville iteration to step away from that— it would be pointless. The firefighters, paramedics, and dispatch workers are the unsung heroes that 9-1-1 was created to help celebrate, and the second spinoff shouldn’t abandon that mission statement.

9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star are streaming on Hulu.

Nevertheless, embracing Nashville’s roots is imperative to justifying the second spinoff’s place as Lone Star’s successor. 9-1-1: Nashville can celebrate the location’s music culture, but it needs to be balanced with its medical emergencies and character development. An open-mic night enthusiast is a far cry from a multi-millionaire touring artist, and music being tangential to the main storyline is different from the storyline being built around music itself. 9-1-1: Nashville needs to decide what kind of series it’s going to be, but at least it already has plenty of talented actors in its camp.

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