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9:1:1 Lone Star, the procedural drama that gathered several fans during its first run back in 2020, returned for a second season on Fox in 2021. However, fans were immediately privy to a major change from the first season. Michelle Blake, played by Liv Tyler was notably absent from the cast, raising questions as to whether she would ever return.
The reason behind Michelle’s absence can be attributed to a logistical problem, which was brought about by the pandemic. In other words, Liv Tyler’s residence in London was too far for her to successfully commute to Los Angeles, where 9:1:1 Lone Star was being shot at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Liv Tyler urged producers to write her off from 9:1:1 Lone Star
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Tyler's character Michele Blake was originally one of the key characters in the story debuting as a paramedic and EMS captain who was based out of Austin, Texas. Having played such an important role, it was surprising to see her absence from the show. However, the departure was of actress Liv Tyler’s own volition.
When the pandemic rolled around, Liv Tyler realized that she would be unable to commute from London to Los Angeles. Despite having signd a multiple-year deal with 9:1:1 Lone Star, Tyler approached the producers and urged them to write her off. The departure was amicable, with no underlying issues, purely a result of the pandemic.
Tyler’s character, Michelle Blake in 9:1:1 Lone Star was soon however replaced by a new paramedic, Tommy Vega, played by Gina Torres, known for her role as Jessica Pearson in Suits. Tommy has gone on to become the current tritagonist of the show and the captain of Station 126.
Co-star Tim Minear's comments about Liv’s departure
9:1:1 Lone Star showrunner, creator, writer, and producer, Tim Minear addressed Liv’s departure and the absence of Michele in the show. In his words:
“What a thrill it was having a movie star of Liv Tyler’s stature to help us launch the first season of 9:1:1 Lone Star. We loved working with Liv and will be forever indebted to her for her haunting, powerful portrayal of Michelle Blake.”
He went on to say that they were grateful for having the chance to tell a complete chapter of Michele’s story. While there was definitely more to explore with regard to her character arc, when she left Station 126 to work full-time with homeless people and her having found her sister, Iris in the first season was already a satisfying end-goal for her motivations.
Despite that, Tim Minear leaves a possibility open for Liv’s return as Michele, especially considering the character’s popularity:
“The door here will always be open for a return.”
9:1:1 Lone Star serves as a unique procedural drama that deals with the lives and motivations of Texan front-liners, as they juggle time between their family and the people they have been sworn to protect. The show primarily airs on Fox, but the episodes are available on Disney+ Hotstar, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video as well.
