like 9-1-1: Lone Star In preparation for the finale, fans will miss closure from one character who has been there from the beginning.
Co-showrunner Rashad Raisani recently revealed news that Sierra McClain will not be reprising her role as 9-1-1 operator Grace Ryder before the Fox procedural series concludes on February 3, 2025, following her exit amid contract renegotiations in June.
“It's not for lack of effort,” Risani told TVLine of McClain's comeback attempts.
Grace's exit was explained earlier in the fifth and final season when her firefighter husband Jude (Jim Barrack) pointed out that she was doing missionary work with the real-life Christian non-profit Mercy Ships, which sends hospital ships around the world to perform life-saving surgeries.
“The only thing that I think could keep Grace away from her family is this higher calling, which has been part of her character since day one,” Raisani previously said. Entertainment Weekly. “I thought this was the best way to protect her character and honor her character as well.”
Jim Barrack and Sierra McLean 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Kevin Estrada/Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection)
He added: “I also thought it might be an interesting place to put Jude as well, where he wasn't abandoned, but his wife left him for God – or for this amazing purpose. It puts him in a very complicated situation where he's frustrated, he feels alone, but he's not angry.” Or at least he doesn't admit on a conscious level that he's angry. We'll get to that in a moment.”
In Grace's absence, Jude continues to reconnect with his adult son, Wyatt. The actor, played by Jackson Pace, has been promoted to series regular for season five as his character takes a job at the titular call center where Grace previously worked.
Mid-season final for 9-1-1: Lone Star Airing Monday, December 2 at 8/7c on Fox.
