According to Deadline, Lord of the Rings alum Liv Tyler will officially not be reprising her lead role as paramedic EMS captain Michelle Blake in the upcoming second season of Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star. Her decision was due to pandemic-related concerns involving family and travel as she had been traveling back-and-forth from London to Los Angeles during the production of the first season. The 43-year-old actress’ character will not be recast in order to leave the door open for the possibility of her return.
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“What a thrill it was having a movie star of Liv Tyler’s stature to help us launch the first season of 9-1-1: Lone Star,” co-creator Tim Minear said in a statement. “We loved working with Liv and will be forever indebted to her for her haunting, powerful portrayal of Michelle Blake. While we were able to tell a complete chapter in Michelle’s story, as with Connie Britton on our mothership, we also feel like there are more stories to be told. The door here will always be open for a return.”
Tyler’s sudden exit comes nearly three weeks after Suits alum Gina Torres joined the second season as series regular for the role of Paramedic Captain Tommy Vega.
Set in Austin, TX, the 9-1-1 spinoff follows a sophisticated New York firefighter (Lowe) who, along with his son, re-locates to Austin, and must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in his own life.
The first season starred Golden Globe-nominated actor Rob Lowe (St. Elmo’s Fire, The West Wing) and Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings). It also features Ronen Rubinstein, Sierra McClain, Jim Parrack, Natacha Karam, Brian Michael Smith, Julian Works, and Rafael Silva.
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9-1-1: Lone Star is created and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, with 20th Century Fox Television also set to produce. Lowe will also serve as co-executive producer.
