9-1-1 season 5: next episode and everything we know about the drama

Anirudh Pisharody, Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi and Aisha Hinds in 9-1-1
(Image credit: Jack Zeman/ FOX)

Welcome back to Fox’s 9-1-1 season 5, which asks why have a show that just focuses on the police, fire or medical professionals when you can put all of these incredible first responders in one package. It’s been a winning formula.

Created by Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear and Ryan Murphy (yes, the seemingly non-stop Ryan Murphy), 9-1-1 has been Fox’s big ticket drama since it debuted in 2018 and has spawned a spinoff series, 9-1-1: Lone Star.

But we’re focusing on the original 9-1-1 here. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about the latest episodes of 9-1-1 season 5.

When is the next 9-1-1 episode?

Monday, May 16, at 8 pm ET/PT is going to be the 9-1-1 season 5 finale. With an episode titled "Starting Over," there's potential for some big developments for the drama and its characters. Here is the official synopsis:

"Another day in the life of the 118, as its members race to rescue a cliffside wellness retreat guru after his followers turn on him. Then, they respond to an emergency call at an upscale hair salon. Meanwhile, Maddie contemplates returning to work, Eddie and May make decisions on their future, as do Buck and Taylor, and the 118 gathers for a surprise wedding." 

Here is the episode promo:

All the latest episodes of 9-1-1 are available to watch on-demand via Fox.com or Hulu the day after they air on TV. 

When is the 9-1-1 season 5 finale?

9-1-1 season 5 airs its season finale on Monday, May 16.

Considering 9-1-1 is one of Fox's biggest shows, it is surprising that it took so long, but Variety is reporting that the show has officially been renewed for season 6.

What is the plot of 9-1-1?

9-1-1 takes place in Los Angeles and follows the multitude of high-pressure situations that the city’s first responders find themselves in. This includes those working for the police, as firefighters, EMTs and at the 9-1-1 dispatch center. We of course follow a specific group of characters, also delving into their personal lives.

The last episode of 9-1-1 season 5 saw the members of the 118 called to a series of emergencies around Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Eddie struggled with an emotional Christopher.

While we are still a little bits away from the return of new episodes for 9-1-1 season 5, we do know what that first new episode will be about. In a nod to the 1994 Keanu Reeves movies Speed, the next episode of 9-1-1 will see the 118 have to stop an SUV wired to explode when if it dips below 55 mph.

Who is in the 9-1-1 cast?

All of the principal cast of 9-1-1 is returning for the fifth season. This includes Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Aisha Hinds as Hen Wilson; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; John Harlan Kim as Albert Han; and Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant.

There were no major casting additions to 9-1-1 in between seasons, so you won’t really have to worry about learning any new faces and names this season.

Is there a 9-1-1 season 5 trailer?

Fox has given fans a quick tease of what to expect with the premiere episode of 9-1-1. The hacking of Los Angeles with ransomware plunges the city into chaos, as everything from air-traffic control to animals getting out of the zoo is impacted. Angela Bassett’s Athena sums it up best as insanity. Check out the teaser for yourself below. 

Will there be a 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star crossover?

9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star had their first ever crossover event last season, as Buck, Hen and Eddie made their way to Texas to help the crew of 126 try and battle a raging wildfire. Can we expect another crossover anytime soon?

The answer is yes, but we’ll have to wait until 2022. The Wrap reported that there will be a second crossover event at some point this season.

Will the Texas crew come to Los Angeles? How will the relationships forged during the first crossover change? Guess we’ll just have to be patient to find out.

How to watch 9-1-1?

9-1-1 airs on Fox at 8 pm ET/PT. To watch live, viewers need either a traditional cable/satellite pay-TV subscription, a TV antenna or a live TV streaming service that carries local Fox stations, i.e. Fubo TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV

If you can’t tune in live, the latest episodes of 9-1-1 will be available to watch online via Fox Now, though you need a subscription to any of the above services to login and begin watching 9-1-1 or other Fox shows.

Fox Now can also be used to catch up on previous seasons of 9-1-1, or you can watch all previous seasons on Hulu as well.

In addition, 9-1-1 is heading to syndication. On Jan. 3, multiple outlets, including Deadline, reported that USA Network has acquired syndication rights for the Fox drama. Starting Jan. 5, USA plans to air 9-1-1 on Wednesdays during a four-hour block from 7-11 p.m. The deal, which covers the show's first four seasons, makes USA Network the exclusive cable home for 9-1-1 through mid-September 2022, and give it access to the currently running fifth season as well as future seasons.

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.