A storm is coming to Music City.
A squall hurls an Airstream trailer across the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. A firenado – a rapidly rotating tornado above an intense fire – sends embers torpedoing over Broadway. A thunderstorm clogs dispatch phone lines and sends first responders speeding to save locals and tourists. And that’s before the metaphoric storm of secrets and lies blazes through the station.
Although the supernatural scenarios may never strike Music City week after week, on television that’s a whole different story.
Cue the drama in the latest spinoff of Ryan Murphy’s hit drama franchise, “9-1-1: Nashville,” which premieres at 9 p.m. Oct. 9 on ABC. Episodes stream the following day on Hulu.
The newest installment marks the third chapter in the “9-1-1” universe, following the long-running Los Angeles original and Austin-set “9-1-1: Lone Star.” This time, the emergencies showcase the Tennessee capital.
A scene for the ABC show Nashville 911 involving an Airstream trailer stuck on the top of a bridge due to a tornado is filmed on the Korean Veterans Bridge Sunday, July 13, 2025
Building ‘Station 113’
Production has transformed a two-story brick warehouse in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood into Fire Station 113. Once home to boutique shops, the space now houses fire trucks, a paramedic unit and crew quarters, with first-story ceilings so low it’s a mystery how the vehicles got inside.
During breaks in August, cast members spoke with national media outlets in between scenes while the occasional train rattled along the tracks behind the building halting production.
Actor Chris O’Donnell, who plays Captain Don Hart, said the city quickly won him over.
“I love it. I think Nashville’s such a cool city,” O’Donnell said. “This has been an insane summer. I’ve never seen so much lightning in my life. But everyone’s so nice. It is just such a thriving city. I’ve never seen more development going on in one place. So many great restaurants. And I knew a lot more people here than I expected.”
The show represents a broader shift in the TV industry, trading in Hollywood lights for Southern charm. Nashville’s film sector has grown 43% in economic output over the past five years, generating $728 million, according to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission. “9-1-1: Nashville” alone is expected to create more than 600 jobs and generate $50 million in local impact.
“Ryan Murphy was looking for a place to put his spinoff of the ‘9-1-1’ franchise, which is wildly popular,” Bob Raines, executive director of the commission, told The Tennessean. “They saw Nashville as this really great brand. Nashville carries a national and international brand.”
The growing spotlight on the Southeast has been helpful for tourism, according to Deana Ivey, the president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
“Anytime a positive TV broadcast with that kind of exposure features your city’s name, it’s a wonderful moment of recognition — and a great boost for the city,” she said. “That’s exactly what the ‘Nashville’ TV show did for us.”
The ABC drama ran for six seasons and turned Music City landmarks like the Bluebird Café, Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry into global icons. In 2013, the year after its premiere, Gray Line launched a bus tour of filming locations that often sold out.
The cast of “9-1-1: Nashville” says they’ve felt that same magnetic pull while filming.
“Nashville is like its own personality,” Feliz said on set. “People come here to have a good time, and I think it’s gonna be reflected in the show.”
Production is also hiring locals. Jenny Alison Casting posts frequent calls for extras — everyone from concertgoers to passersby — on her Facebook page.
A cast finding its rhythm
While the emergencies may be fictional, the cast’s camaraderie is real.
“Our love language on set is making fun of each other,” said Juani Feliz, who plays Roxie Alba, a former surgeon turned paramedic. “Everyone’s warm. I’m really grateful to be working with this group of people.”
Actor Michael Provost, who stars as O’Donnell’s son, Ryan Hart, added: “We’ve all been thrown into this together and everyone is so warm and understanding. It was like that from the jump.”
For country music singer LeAnn Rimes, who plays Dixie Bennings, joining the franchise meant embracing a layered character unlike anything she’s done before.
“She’s a single mom who absolutely adores her son,” Rimes said. “She has a great heart, but she’s very manipulative. I’ve never done anything like her before, so I get to bring out all sides of me, my little horns come out.”
Broadway veteran Hailey Kilgore brings a musical twist to the firehouse as firefighter Taylor Thompson.
“She’s a singer and a songwriter who also loves working with the 113 crew,” Kilgore said. “She’s here to put a smile on everybody’s face, but then the second it’s time to rescue somebody, she locks right in.”
Newcomer Hunter McVey embraces the role of bad boy Blue Bennings, Dixie’s son.
“He makes questionable decisions, but his moral compass is strong,” McVey said. “He does a lot of crazy things, but for reasons bigger than himself. He cares a lot about his family and his newfound family at the firehouse.”
Nashville as a character
It’s been 13 years since Nashville shined in a prime-time drama premiere. In 2012, ABC’s “Nashville” spotlighted landmarks like the Ryman, Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry. And word on the street is some of those sites have already been scouted again.
The cast has their own wish lists for locations to make an appearance. Rimes said Broadway, which she compared to Las Vegas. Kilgore hoped to see The Mockingbird Café. O’Donnell praised Loveless Café and Sperry’s Steakhouse in Belle Meade, while Kimberly Williams-Paisley is partial to Franklin’s Southall Farm & Inn.
McVey said the show should look beyond downtown.
“Once you get outside Broadway, you really have some natural beauty,” he said. “Mountains, streams and nature would be amazing to show on television.”
Guest stars and dream cameos
Confirmed appearances include country star Kane Brown and WKRN meteorologist Danielle Breezy appearing as themselves.
But the cast has their dream list, too.
“Dolly Parton, 1000%,” Rimes said. Provost echoed the choice, while Feliz mentioned Reba McEntire. Kilgore lobbied for Shaboozey, and McVey threw in Rascal Flatts, recalling car rides with his dad soundtracked by “Life Is a Highway.”
Williams-Paisley, who plays 9-1-1 operator Cammie Raleigh, joked that she wouldn’t mind her husband, country star Brad Paisley, stopping by the set.
“Let’s give him an emergency and I can help rescue him,” she said with a laugh. “I like that idea.”
She quickly shut down any talk of a duet, though. “No, I’m not gonna sing. No, no, no.”
As Nashville prepares for its close-up, the cast is confident the city will shine.
“It’s a new family to fall in love with,” Feliz said. “Thursdays at 9.”
Contributing: Alessia Sandala.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville hit with firenados, family drama in ‘9-1-1’ spinoff
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