An actor from 9-1-1: Lone Star makes a brief cameo in one episode of 9-1-1 season 8,

and although it’s exciting, it’s not enough to undo one major disappointment concerning

the spinoff ending after season 5. 9-1-1 originally aired on Fox before moving to ABC,

while 9-1-1: Lone Star remained on Fox. After the two shows were separated (for a multitude of reasons, mostly due to budget concerns), it was only a matter of time before the spinoff was canceled. Unfortunately, 9-1-1 : Lone Star was canceled ahead of season 5, and 9-1-1 has experienced great success on its new network. New episodes of 9-1-1 season 8 air on Thursdays at 8 pm ET on ABC, and 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET on Fox. Many suspected that 9-1-1: Lone Star would end after season 5, and Fox confirmed these rumors just a few weeks before the season 5 premiere. The procedural drama’s budget was just too large. However, unlike the original series, ABC will not be picking up 9-1-1: Lone Star for a sixth season.

The show’s cancelation is disappointing, but it’s all the more frustrating due to the lack of crossovers between the two connected series (despite one easy-to-miss cameo from a 9-1-1: Lone Star actor in 9-1-1 season 8). Gina Torres’ 9-1-1 Season 8 Voice Cameo Explained Torres Plays Tommy In 9-1-1: Lone Star The cameo in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 2, “When the Boeing Gets Tough,” is difficult to spot, especially since viewers can only hear the 9-1-1: Lone Star cast member’s voice. Gina Torres, who plays Tommy Vega in the Fox procedural drama, crosses over to the parent series during the hour. The paramedic captain voices the dispatcher who announces Emmett Washington’s final call at his funeral during a flashback.

Tommy says: “All units, clear the air for priority traffic. Dispatch calling 237, Officer Washington. This is the final call for 237. Officer Emmett Washington is 10-7. Thank you for your dedication, service, and loyalty. You can rest easy. We have the watch from here.” As fans know, Emmett was a police officer and Athena Grant’s fiancé. Sadly, he died during a gas station robbery, and 9-1-1 season 8 features a flashback to his funeral. As for why the 9-1-1 producers chose Torres to voice the final call, showrunner Tim Minear told TVLine, “I needed a great voice, and she’s got the best voice. She’s even the voice on a ride at Disney World if I’m not mistaken — and I’m not … I’m always looking for reasons to employ Gina Torres.” Consequently, the stealthy 9-1-1: Lone Star cameo in 9-1-1 season 8 came to be.

Torres’ 9-1-1 Cameo Is A Reminder Of Not Getting Any Proper Lone Star Crossover Because Of Its Cancelation The Only 9-1-1 “Crossover” Came In Lone Star Season 2 Although Gina Torres’ voice cameo in 9-1-1 season 8 is fun (at least, as fun as a funeral scene can be), it’s also a reminder that a fully fleshed-out crossover between the two shows will never happen. Yes, 9-1-1 characters Evan “Buck” Buckley, Eddie Díaz, and Henrietta “Hen” Wilson appear in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 2, episode 3, “Hold the Line.” However, a crossover taking place in both procedural dramas (and no, Buck, Eddie, and Hen leaving for Texas at the end of 9-1-1 season 4, episode 3 doesn’t count) is impossible now. Hopefully, the next spinoff in the 9-1-1 franchise will get the chance to crossover with the original series following 9-1-1: Lone Star ‘s end. Aside from Torres’ stealthy appearance in 9-1-1 season 8, a 9-1-1: Lone Star actor has never (physically) appeared in the parent series. With the spinoff’s cancelation, a proper crossover involving all characters from both shows is out of the question. Hopefully, the next spinoff in the 9-1-1 franchise will get the chance to crossover with the original series following 9-1-1: Lone Star‘s end.