No, 911: Lone Star isn't canceled! Here's when it comes back

The last time 911: Lone Star aired a new episode was May 16, 2023. It's now been a full year since then so it's understandable that there's concern the show might have gotten quietly canceled by FOX. But, rest assured, that hasn't been the case. The procedural was simply delayed by the network. This was due to the Hollywood strikes back in the summer and fall of 2023.

If you don't know what I'm referring to, here's what happened. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike on May 2, 2023 after they couldn't reach a fair agreement with the AMPTP, which is the organization that represents the studios. Because of this, series and films that hadn't finished their scripts couldn't move forward. Productions that had their scripts submitted did go ahead and film but they were often impeded by picketers lobbying for a fair contract.

Two months later, SAG-AFTRA (the actors union) went on strike as well due to not being able to reach a fair agreement with the AMPTP. Their strike started on July 14. This effectively ground Hollywood to a halt. For months, the unions picketed until their demands were fully or at least partially met. The goal was protecting the future of the industry as a whole and the livelihoods of the people that create the films and TV series we've all come to love. When the WGA strike came to a close on Sept. 27, and the SAG strike ended on Nov. 9, productions were able to get underway en masse.

However, the delayed start had an impact on the schedules for Network TV. The majority of primetime broadcast programs couldn't return until the midseason, meaning January-March of 2024. New shows that had been previously scheduled to air during the 2023-2024 season had to be pushed to the next TV year. Though 911: Lone Star doesn't fall into this category, the scripted drama was still held until the 2024-2025 season.

When does 911: Lone Star come back?

You'll be happy to hear that the series will not be off for nearly two years before its return. Instead, FOX has decided to launch the new season during their Fall TV 2024 rollout. For the first time, the procedural will make a season debut in either September or October. A premiere date hasn't been officially announced yet, but we can share its premiere window.

911: Lone Star will air Mondays at 8 p.m. ET in the fall. It's the lead-in for FOX's new lifeguard drama, Rescue: HI-Surf, which the network is incredibly excited about. The decision to hold the procedural was due to the series pick up for the Hawaii set procedural as the network believes the pairing will do well for the freshman drama.

A renewal decision on the firefighter series, however, likely won't be made ahead of its fifth season premiere. FOX Entertainment CEO Rob Wade told Deadline the following about the show's fate:

"Lone Star was not on the schedule this year because of the strike, and we’re really looking forward to getting it back on in the fall. We are excited about the new season. We’re going to see how that goes as always, and then make decisions on that about the future of that franchise. But at the moment, we’re very focused on that being a launchpad for a new show, Rescue HI-Surf, we’re excited to have it on the schedule."

We'll keep you posted as more news comes in about 911: Lone Star. Stay tuned to Hidden Remote!