Details are slowly emerging surrounding the third installment in the9-1-1franchise, but it’s clear that the Nashville entry is following suit with a series staple. Little is known about9-1-1: Nashvilleso far, but the second spinoff from the flagship series is slated to premiere during the 2025-26 network season. Just like the original series and the Texas branch,9-1-1: Lone Star,Nashvillewill be created by Ryan Murphy, known for smash hits likeGleeand theAmerican Horror Storyanthology. However, given that9-1-1: Lone Starended in February 2025, the Nashville installment has an uphill battle ahead.
In many ways, the upcomingspinoff could be sabotaged by9-1-1: Lone Stardue to their similar settings. While many hoped for a more unique location— either on the East Coast, around New York and Boston, or in one of the major cities of the Midwest—9-1-1: Nashvillewill mark the second series in the franchise set in the Southern United States. Whether the spinoff will have a unique twist to give it an edge or not remains to be seen, but the two cast members that have been revealed indicate that9-1-1: Nashvilleis starting on familiar ground.
9-1-1: Nashville Casts Chris O’Donell & Jessica Capshaw As Its Leads
The Two Have Been Cast In The Same Procedural Before
The first9-1-1: Nashvillecast member to be announced was Chris O’Donnell, a renowned actor with a nearly 40-year career. O’Donnell has had many iconic roles, including an impressive film run in the 1990s that saw him act opposite big names like Drew Barrymore, Minnie Driver, and Sandra Bullock. In 1997, O’Donnell starred as the titular sidekick inBatman & Robin, joining a star-studded cast including Uma Thurman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and George Clooney.Chris O’Donnell is most widely known for his work as G. Callen onNCIS: Los Angeles, but many remember him from his recurringGrey’s Anatomyrole, veterinarian Finn.
Chris O’Donnell and Jessica Capshaw never interacted onGrey’s Anatomy, as Finn was last seen in season 3 and Arizona wasn’t introduced until season 5.
Ironically,Grey’s Anatomyis where O’Donnell’s9-1-1: Nashville costar, Jessica Capshaw, got her big breakas Dr. Arizona Robbins. Capshaw was originally cast for a small recurring role, but her work landed her a coveted spot as a series regular. Capshaw was present for some ofGrey’s Anatomy’s biggest moments— including the infamous plane crash— and, though her character was written out in 2018, Arizona Robbins’ trailblazing impact on the overall series as the longest-running lesbian character in television history cannot be overstated. As such a recognizable figure, Capshaw’s casting announcement for9-1-1: Nashvillepoints to a broader franchise trend.
O’Donell & Capshaw’s Nashville Casting Continues A 9-1-1 Franchise Tradition
The Spinoff Is Setting Up A Dynamic Duo
With O’Donnell and Capshaw both being familiar faces from their work on network TV, it’s clear that Ryan Murphy is employing the same tactic he used for9-1-1and9-1-1: Lone Star: creating a recognizable duo to draw in viewers before the procedural has had a chance to prove itself. The flagship series starsPeter Krause as Captain Bobby Nash and Angela Bassett as LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant-Nash, authority figures in two out of three of the show’s emergency response teams. Similarly,9-1-1: Lone Starbegan withRob Lowe’s fire captain Owen Strand and Liv Tyler’s paramedic captain Michelle Blake.
All leads in the9-1-1franchise have been well-known actors with iconic roles under their belt. To maximize star power, the characters often connect in some way, like Athena and Bobby, who became one of thebest couples in9-1-1after the pilot season. Michelle and Owen may have had a romantic storyline in9-1-1: Lone Star, but Liv Tyler left the show following the season 1 finale and never returned. While many procedurals typically opt for fresh faces or up-and-coming names,Ryan Murphy has prioritized existing talent to help get the series off the ground, to great success overall.
Who O’Donell & Capshaw Will Play In 9-1-1: Nashville
Every Fire Station Needs A Captain
While Jessica Capshaw’s character hasn’t been clearly defined, Chris O’Donnell will play9-1-1: Nashville’s Don Sharpe: fire captain, rodeo rider, and devoted husband and father. Sharpe’s son— who is not cast but will be named Ryan— will work at the fire station alongside O’Donnell’s character, eerily similar to Owen Strand and his son, TK (Ronen Rubinstein), at the start of9-1-1: Lone Star. Capshaw’s character, whose name has yet to be revealed, is the remaining piece of the core family unit, portraying Don’s wife and Ryan’s mother.
Episodes of9-1-1and9-1-1: Lone Starare streaming on Hulu.
Uncanny resemblance to9-1-1: Lone Staraside,the two main characters of9-1-1: Nashvillefollow a typical formula. The Sharpe family will be at the center of the action, but what little has been teased of Don’s“secrets”will likely be the driving force behind the pilot season’s personal conflict. Hopefully, Capshaw’s character will serve a bigger purpose to the story than simply being Don’s spouse, but only time will tell how she fits into the overarching plot. If9-1-1: Nashvillefollows the script, Capshaw’s character will either work at dispatch or Nashville PD— but there’s still time to diverge.
