Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

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Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

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  • What Is 9-1-1: Lone Star About?
  • Who Is Judd in 9-1-1: Lone Star?

As a dedicated fan of 9-1-1: Lone Star, I have grown deeply attached to the characters and their stories over the past few seasons. Among them, Judd Ryder, portrayed by Jim Parrack, holds a special place in my heart. Judd’s life experience is both harrowing and inspiring. He is not just a firefighter but the sole survivor of a devastating blaze that took the lives of his fellow 126 members, leaving him with immense grief, remorse, and survivor’s guilt.

After being postponed for nine months due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the fifth season of Fox’s popular crime procedural 9-1-1: Lone Star is scheduled to premiere on September 23, 2024. During this season, Captain Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) and his team at the 126 first-response unit in Austin, Texas, will be in action. However, viewers may notice that some characters are missing before the end of the season.

Based on the show’s fifth season preview, longtime firefighter and original survivor of 126, Judd Ryder (played by Jim Parrack), faces a challenging choice that could lead him to leave the team. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean Parrack will be exiting the series. Fans are left curious about what the future holds for this beloved and reliable character on “9-1-1: Lone Star.” With only a few weeks until the season premiere, the details of Judd Ryder’s storyline remain uncertain.

What Is 9-1-1: Lone Star About?

Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

In Austin, Texas, 9-1-1: Lone Star is set as a new series inspired by the Los Angeles police procedural 9-1-1. The story revolves around Owen Strand, a renowned New York City firefighter who was diagnosed with lung cancer after bravely responding to the September 11, 2001 attacks. After losing his entire fire unit due to his illness, Strand started anew and built a successful team from scratch. Eventually, his remarkable achievements caught the attention of Austin’s Firehouse 126, leading them to recruit him.

Strand moved from New York to Texas primarily to be near his son TK (Ronen Rubinstein), who is a firefighter and recovering drug addict. TK had experienced a life-threatening overdose just before Strand arrived in Austin. As Strand builds a relationship with TK, he also supports his firefighting team, consisting of EMT Captain Michelle Blake (Liv Tyler), 9-1-1 operator Grace Ryder (Sierra McClain), firefighter and paramedic Paul Strickland (Brian Michael Smith), Marjan Marwani (Natacha Karam), APD officer Carlos Reyes (Rafael L. Silva), and the last surviving member of 126, Judd Ryder (Parrack).

Who Is Judd in 9-1-1: Lone Star?

Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

In every single episode so far, Judd Ryder, played by Judson, is deeply acquainted with Austin and Firehouse 126 due to his presence in all 60 episodes. Given this extensive familiarity, Strand turns to Judd for guidance as he gets accustomed to the area. Tragically, Judd is the lone survivor of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of Firehouse 126’s previous members, leaving him with overwhelming grief, regret, and survivor’s guilt. Judd shares his life with his wife, 9-1-1 operator Grace Ryder, who understands the demands of being an emergency responder in Austin. Together, they work through Judd’s PTSD by attending therapy sessions. However, external pressures compel Judd to make a significant and dramatic choice regarding his career.

In the fifth episode of Season 3 titled “Child Care,” a man named Wyatt Harris appears in Austin seeking Judd’s location. Upon revealing that Judd is his father from a casual one-night stand with Marlene Harris (Robyn Lively), Judd discovers he has an unknown son. Initially resistant and taken aback, Judd eventually forms a connection with Wyatt. During the subsequent 18 months, Wyatt leaves college to pursue a career as a firefighter but is rejected due to being considered “too gentle.” In the sixteenth episode of Season 4, “A House Divided,” fans were taken aback when Wyatt was unexpectedly struck by a truck while cycling, resulting in fractured vertebrae and a severe head injury requiring hospitalization.

Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

Is Judd Leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star?

After Wyatt’s severe bicycle accident, Judd rushes to the hospital only to discover that his son may never walk again due to paralysis and brain damage. Although Wyatt recovers enough consciousness, he faces a long-term inability to walk, which might be permanent. Consequently, Judd decides to retire from Firehouse 126 in the fifth season to fully dedicate himself to caring for his injured son. However, it remains undetermined if Jim Parrack will completely leave the show.

Instead of leaving “Lone Star” permanently, Judd is expected to continue being a part of the hit Ryan Murphy TV show. He will, however, modify his caretaking responsibilities and concentrate more on managing his own household at unit 126. As stated by the series’ co-creator Tim Minear in Entertainment Weekly:

“The experience was deeply emotional for me, feeling authentic, unexpected, and compelling. It left me with a heavy heart. The aftermath, as Judd and Wyatt react to it and navigate their next steps, adds depth and poignancy to these characters’ stories.”

In the upcoming season 5 and beyond, as Judd and Wyatt handle their injuries and rehab, Captain Strand may choose a new fire lieutenant to rely on. Finding someone with deep understanding of Austin and a strong emotional connection to Firehouse 126 will be challenging. Nevertheless, Judd Ryder is expected to remain part of the series, taking on different roles instead. Jim Parrack’s character is scheduled to appear in Season 5, Episode 1, indicating his continued presence in the show.

9-1-1: Lone Star is available to stream on Hulu.

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2024-07-21 23:01