5 reasons ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ is your next must-watch show

We’ve got a long winter ahead of us, which means we’re always ready to snuggle up with a new binge-worthy TV show or two. And while there are lots of exciting new shows coming at us in the next couple of months, one that we’re especially excited about debuts this weekend with a two-night premiere: 9-1-1: Lone Star (Sunday & Monday, 10 pET, CTV). And we promise, there’s lots to get jazzed about.

1. Rob Lowe in a firefighter uniform

Like one David Rose we are OBSESSED with pretty much everything Rob Lowe is in, mostly because he’s just one of those dependable, good-looking actors who also knows his way around the camera. Well in 9-1-1: Lone Star he also happens to be in a firefighter uniform, which we're going to assume speaks to many of us in a variety of ways.The best part about Lowe in this role though isn’t that he’s a New York firefighter who moves to Texas to start up a new firehouse, nor is it that he plays a dad. Nope. What we’re most excited about is that Lowe is totally down with making fun of himself. His character, Owen Strand, is obsessed with aging and his skin-care regimen for example, and because we all know Rob Lowe, 55, doesn’t really age we think it’s actually kind of perfect.

2. Did we mention Liv Tyler?

Could we BE any more excited for Liv Tyler in her first regular network TV gig? We may or may not have re-watched Empire Records about six or seven times in anticipation. From what we’ve seen so far, there is definitely chemistry between Tyler’s character, chief paramedic Michelle Blake, and Lowe's Owen, and we’re dying to see how that turns out.

 

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You are going to love this show. Giant, epic action with great characters. Unexpectedly funny. Tons of heart. Get ready. We are coming for you! @911lonestar

A post shared by Rob Lowe (@roblowe) on Jan 2, 2020 at 2:10pm PST

To star, when we meet Michelle she’s the no-nonsense first responder who takes charge on the scene like it’s nobody’s business, and she isn’t afraid to put anyone—firefighter or otherwise—in his or her place if it means potentially saving a life. Now who isn’t down with a gal like that?

3. The production team

Let us just run some titles by you: Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story, Feud, American Crime Story . . . it’s safe to say that the creative team behind this series definitely knows how to deliver a punchy drama full of heart-breaking and heart-warming twists.Yup, Ryan Murphy and his collaborators Brad Falchuk (aka Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow) and Tim Minear are responsible for bringing us this series, just like they brought us the original 9-1-1 in 2018. And by the way, in case you were wondering, this series has little to do with the other. There are no forced cross-overs or competing storylines to keep track of. What you see is 9-1-1: Lone Star is what you get—period.

4. These stories are based on real-life cases

The one rule in the writers' room on this show is that if it sounds too dramatic to be true, it’s probably real. During the 9-1-1: Lone Star panel at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour last week, the producers revealed that a good chunk of the situations that these first responders find themselves in are based on real event that actually happened to paramedics, police and firefighters out in the field.In fact, the creatives have talked to plenty of people who hold these jobs IRL. The set is hot with extras who have real-world experience, which is apparently also pretty helpful in terms of the actors honouring the jobs these people do and getting the smaller, technical details right.

5. And then there’s Connie Britton

Okay so maybe it’s helpful to know a little bit of background on the original 9-1-1 if you’re going to tune into this spin-off. Basically, you need to know that our #HairGoals onscreen bestie starred in that show’s first season as 9-1-1 operator Abby Clark. Abby left the series to go travel and live her best life at the end of season one, and fans have been pining for more of her since.Well, we’re about to get more of her. Minear, who is in a creator of both series, has officially confirmed that they’re trying to get Britton back for a few episodes, and nothing would make us happier. We can already picture her interacting with Lowe, Tyler, and the rest of the gang and more Tami Taylor in our lives is definitely a good thing.9-1-1: Lone Star debuts Jan. 19 and 20 at 10 pET on CTV.[video_embed id='1830550']RELATED: Kristin Davis reveals how Rob Lowe helped bring 'Holiday in the Wild' to life[/video_embed]