Spoilers ahead for the Season 5 premiere of 9-1-1: Lone Star , called "Both Sides, Now." The first episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star 's final season has finally aired in the 2024 TV schedule , and while there were some surprises and seeds planted for some Tarlos adversity , fans already knew one thing was coming: Judd without Grace . Actress Sierra McClain 's departure was announced months before Season 5 started, and the question was how Lone Star could write out a character so dedicated to her family, her job, and her faith without killing her off.
Well, "Both Sides, Now" provided the answer, and co-showrunner/EP Rashad Raisani spoke candidly about it with CinemaBlend. According to the Season 5 premiere, Grace felt a calling to join a mercy trip to help children in need, and the calling was so strong that she decided to leave Judd and Charlie behind in Austin to do it. Judd said that he loved Grace more than ever for how much she wanted to help others, but it also seemed pretty clear that the former firefighter was feeling lonely and adrift in his much quieter house.
The time jump of a year did help to sell that Grace would suddenly be gone from the end of one season to the start of the next. (Season 4 is available streaming with a Hulu subscription .) When I spoke with co-showrunner Rashad Raisani ahead of 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5, I asked if it was challenging to come up with a reason why Grace would be MIA from her life, friends, and family in Austin.
He responded: Oh yes, be.