While fewer characters have left the9-1-1franchise compared to other procedurals, Ryan Murphy’s hit shows9-1-1and9-1-1: Lone Starhave also experienced premature character departures.The franchise has been praised for mixing first responders togetherto create highly entertaining crime dramas. As with the ever-changing cases that the teams have experienced, the9-1-1and9-1-1: Lone Starcasts have also changed significantly since their respective premieres, as several characters have had to say goodbye to the franchise.
9-1-1season 1 started with a small but mighty team largely led by Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant. While9-1-1season 8features similar characters, the stories throughout the show focus more on the characters' personal lives than the overall excitement of the lives of first responders.9-1-1: Lone Starstarted off similarly in season 1, with a large focus on Rob Lowe’s Owen Strand. Whileboth shows have been able to keep the majority of their characterssince season 1, there have been a few notable exits.
7Michelle Blake
Left 9-1-1: Lone Star In Season 1
Liv Tyler’s Michelle Blake was a major part of the cast of9-1-1: Lone Starin season 1. She appeared in all 10 episodes but, unfortunately, did not return for9-1-1: Lone Starseason 2. Michelle was a paramedic in Austin and while a lot of her storyline centered on the cases she dealt with daily, she also had a very personal character arc.A major aspect of her character was Michelle’s search for her missing sister, Iris, who ran away after a bad fight with an ex-partner several years earlier.
Before her departure from the series, Michelle’s story reached a full conclusion as she was finally reunited with her sister after a case led Michelle to discover where she had been staying all that time. She learned that Iris had developed schizophrenia, which was the reason she had disappeared. Fortunately, Michelle’s story had a happy ending.9-1-1: Lone Starseason 2 revealed that Michelle left her job in Austinto help mentally ill people experiencing homelessness, after being inspired by her sister. Season 4 also revealed that Michelle was staying in Ecuador as part of her work to help others.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Cast
A spin-off series of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star is an action-drama series created for Fox. The series follows Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter from New York City who, after having rebuilt a team in the aftermath of September 11th’s attacks, is brought in to form a new one in Austin, Texas.
Michelle’s departure worked out for the series because9-1-1: Lone Starwas able to give her a well-rounded storyline before she left. However,Liv Tyler’s exit from the show was entirely coincidental. Traveling to the United States to film the show became too difficult during the pandemic, so Tyler made the decision to leave the show, which led to Gina Torres' character, Tommy Vega, stepping in as her replacement.
6Grace Ryder
Left 9-1-1: Lone Star In Season 3
Grace Ryder’s9-1-1: Lone Starexitwas one of the more shocking exits in the franchise. Grace was played by Sierra McClain and was a main character for four seasons, ever since her introduction in the9-1-1: Lone Starpremiere.Grace was a highly supportive character, and she was an incredibly skilled 9-1-1 operatorwho loved helping others. Grace was also the wife of Judd Ryder (Jim Parrack) and the mother of Charlie.
9-1-1: Lone Star’s Looming Cancelation Is More Disappointing After Some 9-1-1 News
The recent rumors that 9-1-1: Lone Star is being canceled after season 5 have been made worse by some news regarding its flagship series 9-1-1.
Grace left9-1-1: Lone Starin the season 4 finale to volunteer for a Christian charityas part of a mission trip. The decision to leave aligned with Grace’s faith but came as a shock following her devout relationship with Judd and the arrival of their baby, Charlie. After her exit, her stepson, Wyatt Harris (Jackson Pace), replaced her on the show, but her absence has been felt ever since.
5Abby Clark
Left 9-1-1 As A Major Character In Season 1
Connie Britton’s Abby Clarkwas a main character in9-1-1season 1. She was first introduced in the pilot as a 9-1-1 dispatcher.Abby’s story is centered on her struggles while trying to balance her career and caring for her motherwho has Alzheimer’s. She was a kind and gentle character who quickly befriended Buck (Oliver Stark) while the two characters worked together. Their friendship soon became something more when Buck assisted Abby with her mother and the two realized they had feelings for each other.
Despite Abby and Buck’s growing romance and the importance of Abby’s character in season 1, Abby left9-1-1prior to season 2.Near the end of season 1, Abby’s mother diedas a result of a pulmonary embolism. Her mother’s death encouraged Abby to take risks in life in a way she was not able to before, so she quit her job at the call center and booked a ticket to Ireland. Unfortunately, this meant she had to break up with Buck too.
Her mother’s death encouraged Abby to take risks in life in a way she was not able to before, so she quit her job at the call center and booked a ticket to Ireland.
While Abby’s exit in the season 1 finale of9-1-1seemed to represent Abby’s final appearance on the show, she had a surprising return in season 3. As a guest star,Abby returned to give closure to Buck and their relationship. She revealed that she was happily engaged to someone, and she was happy with her decision to leave for Ireland.
4Michael Grant
Surprisingly Left 9-1-1 In Season 5
Rockmond Dunbar’s departure from9-1-1as Michael Grant was one of the most disappointing character exitsin the franchise. As the ex-husband to Athena Grant and father to both May and Harry Grant, Michael was a major character in9-1-1. He also had several personal storylines on top of his connections to the other characters, which made him one of the most important characters during his time on the show.
Michael had a series of shocking developments throughout his time on9-1-1and season 3 revealed that Michael was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through medical treatment, the tumor shrunk and encouraged Michael to see his life differently. Following his new mindset,Michael left9-1-1in season 5 to move to Haitiwith his fiancé to pursue humanitarian aid for people affected by natural disasters in the country. He has yet to return to9-1-1but, given his bond with Harry and May, he could appear as a guest star in the future.
3Albert Han
Quietly Left 9-1-1 In Season 6
9-1-1’s Albert Hanhad one of the more downplayed exits in the franchise. Albert was played by John Harlan Kim, andhe was the half-brother of Kenneth Choi’s Chimney. Albert was first introduced in season 3, episode 9, by showing up at Chimney’s house for a place to stay after leaving their father in Korea. He later became a firefighter with the help of Chimney and, with his character’s career change, Han also became a main character in season 4.
The9-1-1season 4 finale revealed that Albert had passed all of his trainingand could finally become a firefighter full-time. However, season 5 showed Albert having doubts about his career. He took a test that revealed he was best suited for a career in the humanities and social sciences, so he quit firefighting to pursue other interests.
Albert returned as a minor character in9-1-1in season 6, episodes 10 and 11.
Albert returned to Korea shortly after, but he came back to Los Angeles for two episodes in season 6. When he visited Chimney, he surprised him by bringing his parents with him, forcing Chimney to confront his father after years of being estranged. WhileAlbert quietly left9-1-1in season 6, he did help bring closure to Chimney and his family by bringing them together again, and he will always be remembered as a significant character on9-1-1.
2Taylor Kelly
Left 9-1-1 In Season 6 On Good Terms
Megan West’s Taylor Kelly appeared sporadically throughout9-1-1ever since her introduction in season 2, episode 6.Taylor was a field reporter who became connected to the 118 crew after her helicopter crashed, and the team responded to help. For a short while after the crash, Taylor continued her reports at the station, which led to her becoming close friends with9-1-1’s Buck. Her friendship with Buck blossomed into a romance, but it was not until season 5 that the two characters made their relationship official.
While Taylor and Buck’s relationship seemed to be going well, the two broke up at the end of season 5. As a reporter, Taylor valued the truth above all else, even when it made people uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this meant thatshe was not afraid to cross boundaries in her relationship with Buck to pursue the truth. After a disagreement over covering a story that Buck asked her not to, the couple decided to end things. While they broke up on good terms, it did solidify Taylor’s departure from the series.
1May Grant
Left 9-1-1 In Season 7 To Pursue Education
Corinne Massiah’s May Grant is the only character to not have an official exit. May is the daughter of Athena and Michael and the older sister to Harry. May started as a recurring character in9-1-1season 1, but was a main character from seasons 2-6.Her storylines had previously centered on her character’s personal relationships, but in season 4, she started working as a 9-1-1 dispatcherand became a more integral part of the structure of9-1-1episodes.
In season 7,May decided to quit her job at the call center to pursue her education. While she enjoyed her job, she also did not want to miss the chance to go to school as her deferral period for university was about to expire. After leaving for university, May appeared less in season 7 than in any other9-1-1season. While her character’s exit was disappointing, there is hope that May could reappear as a guest star when she comes home from college.
9-1-1
9-1-1 is a television series that explores the intense experiences of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters. Premiered in 2018, it follows these emergency responders as they navigate high-pressure situations and attempt to balance their demanding work with personal challenges in their own lives.
