Fox’ hit series 9-1-1 expanded its borders this year with the spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star, which introduced us to a fresh batch of first responders, located this time in Austin, TX. It’s the first new broadcast series of 2020 to emerge as a hit. (Read Ainsley Andrade's review of it here.) Like Fox's Los Angeles-based mothership, the private lives of its inhabitants are just as complex as the emergencies they handle. However, none are more complex than those of gay characters T.K. Strand (Ronen Rubinstein, pictured above and below, left) and Carlos Reyes (Rafael Silva, right). As the son of fire chief Owen Strand (series star Rob Lowe), firefighter T.K.’s many trials and tribulations were documented from the onset; struggles with addiction, a suicide attempt after being dumped by his boyfriend, a move to Austin and the challenge of being accepted for who he is in a tough new city. Patrol officer Carlos, meanwhile, has trouble handling his attraction to T.K., who isn’t interested in another commitment.
Ronen Rubinstein and Rafael Silva on 2020’s First Big Hit, “9-1-1: Lone Star”
