The 9-1-1 franchise is expanding into the heart of country music with its new spin-off, 9-1-1: Nashville. Premiering on October 9, 2025, on ABC, the show brings high-stakes emergencies to Music City, centered on a firehouse family with a complicated past. Here is a complete guide to the stars and the characters they play.
The Harts: Nashville’s First Family of Firefighting
Chris O’Donnell as Captain Don Hart
Chris O’Donnell leads the cast as Captain Don Hart, a veteran firefighter and former rodeo rider who runs a busy Nashville firehouse. His character is described as a devoted family man with a big secret—a secret that is about to turn his life upside down. Don is married to Blythe and is a father to Ryan, who works alongside him. The official trailer reveals that Don has another son, Blue, from a previous relationship, a revelation that threatens to disrupt the entire family dynamic. O’Donnell is also an executive producer on the series.
Jessica Capshaw as Blythe Hart
Jessica Capshaw plays Blythe Hart, Don’s wife and Ryan’s mother. Blythe comes from a privileged, old-money Southern family, and her marriage to a man from outside her social circle has always been a source of tension. As the matriarch, she is the glue holding her family together. Capshaw describes Blythe as “this equal mix of strong and smart and strategic and ambitious,” while also being an “empath” who ensures everyone is feeling good.
Michael Provost as Ryan Hart
Michael Provost takes on the role of Ryan Hart, the son of Don and Blythe. A firefighter and a “modern-day cowboy,” Ryan is brave and sometimes reckless, working at the same firehouse as his father. He carries the weight of his father’s legacy, a pressure that defines much of his character. The arrival of a secret half-brother is set to challenge Ryan’s place in the family and the firehouse.
The New Recruits Shaking Up the 113
Hunter McVey as Blue Bennings
Hunter McVey plays Blue Bennings, a “haunted bad boy” whose entry into the world of firefighting is anything but traditional. In the series premiere, Blue is working as a stripper in a firefighter uniform when a collision occurs outside the club. His impulsive heroism catches the attention of Captain Don Hart, who is revealed to be his biological father. Blue’s mother, Dixie, encourages him to connect with Don, hoping to secure a piece of the Hart family fortune.
Hailey Kilgore as Taylor Thompson
Hailey Kilgore portrays Taylor Thompson, a firefighter with a powerful voice and dreams of being a singer. Her character brings the musical soul of Nashville into the firehouse, blending her artistic passions with her dangerous work. She is a hustler by nature, making her a unique and dynamic member of the team.
Juani Feliz as Roxie Alba
Juani Feliz stars as Roxie Alba, a paramedic captain and former trauma surgeon. As an adrenaline junkie, Roxie is used to high-pressure situations. Her medical expertise and no-nonsense attitude make her an invaluable asset during rescues, grounding the team with her experience and instincts.
The Voices Behind the Scenes
Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Cammie Raleigh
Kimberly Williams-Paisley plays Cammie Raleigh, a 911 dispatcher. As the calm voice guiding first responders through chaos, Cammie is the unseen hero connecting those in danger with the help they need. In a personal twist, her character is also the sister-in-law of Blythe Hart, further tying the main cast together.
LeAnn Rimes as Dixie Bennings
Country music star LeAnn Rimes makes her series-regular TV debut as Dixie Bennings, Blue’s mother. A former backup singer who feels life has wronged her, Dixie is determined to reclaim her spotlight. She shares a complicated history with Don Hart and encourages her son to get close to his newfound father for reasons that are not entirely selfless.
Recurring Characters and Guest Stars
The series features a strong recurring cast that adds depth to the world of Nashville. Tim Matheson plays Edward, an old-money southerner with a ruthless reputation. Gregory Alan Williams appears as Fire Chief Harold Foster. MacKenzie Porter takes on the role of Samantha Hart, Ryan’s wife and an ER doctor. In a fun cameo for music fans, country star Kane Brown will appear as himself in the series premiere.
The Story Behind the Show
9-1-1: Nashville is the second spin-off in the hit 9-1-1 franchise, following 9-1-1: Lone Star. The show was created by Ryan Murphy, Tim Minear, and Rashad Raisani, with Raisani serving as showrunner. The decision to set the series in Nashville was influenced by the city’s unique personality and vibrant music culture, as well as Tennessee’s production-friendly environment. The series is described as a “high-octane procedural” that also explores a “family saga of power and glamour.”
The premiere episode, “Pilot,” will see Captain Don Hart and his team confront a powerful tornado that hits a country music festival. This large-scale emergency sets the stage for the show’s mix of dramatic rescues and personal revelations, as Don’s secret son is introduced into the fold. The series aims to deliver the same suspenseful emergencies the franchise is known for, while weaving in the complex, soap-opera-like drama of a family in crisis.
Also Read: Chris O’Donnell Leads New ABC Series 9-1-1: Nashville Premiering October 9, 2025
