(Photo: Kevin Estrada/FOX)

9-1-1: Lone Star is returning this fall for its fifth season on FOX, which could also end up being its last. Contracts for the cast are reportedly set to expire in July, and one cast member already departed the series prior to the fifth season due to “cast renegotiation drama.”

The 9-1-1: Lone Star series, which stars Rob Lowe, Gina Torres, Ronen Rubinstein, Jim Parrack, Natacha Karam, Brian Michael Smith, Sierra McClain, Rafael Silva, Julian Works, and Brianna Baker, follows the first responders of Station 126 in Austin, Texas.

McClain, who plays 9-1-1 operator Grace Ryder on the FOX drama, is part of the original cast and will not be seen in season five. Some members of the cast who are in the fifth season are treating the upcoming season as the last for the series, with some actively seeking other work.

Deadline revealed the following about the possible end of the series:

The cast is under options until production on the new season wraps July 19, sources said. From what we hear, it is unlikely that the options would be extended, so the series’ fate will probably be determined before that. There is some hope at the network for finding a path to keep Lone Star going but most signs point to Season 5 being the final chapter. Reps for Fox and 9-1-1: Lone Star producer 20th Television declined comment.

The cast has been seeking to renegotiate their contracts for the last two years, and this delay was, at least in part, the reason for McClain’s departure.

The following was revealed about the ongoing issues over cast contract renegotiations:

Reps for the actors first approached 20th Television two years ago about securing raises via renegotiations ahead of Season 4. (Series regulars on a broadcast show sign six-year deals that have built-in marginal salary bumps. It is customary on successful series for contracts to be renegotiated during their term for substantial raises that usually come with adding an additional year to the deals.)

The effort was rebuffed, with the studio pushing renegotiations to after Season 4, we hear. However, when actors went back to try and renegotiate a year later, the studio would not do it, sources said. After the end of the strikes, which had put any talent talks on hold for months, reps for the cast were told that there would be no renegotiations, indicating that Season 5 would be the series’ last. The actors were offered some extra compensation, described to us as bonuses.

The premiere date for season five of 9-1-1: Lone Star will be announced later. A dozen episodes are being produced for what may be the show’s final season.

What do you think? Have you enjoyed this FOX drama series? Are you hoping season five is not the end?

Check out our FOX status sheet to track the network’s new series pickups, renewals, and cancellations. You can find lists of cancelled shows here.

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