Things are heating up down in Texas!

The new emergency-services Fox drama sees Owen and his son, and fellow firefighter T.K.

(Ronen Rubenstein), head down south after T.K.

goes through a tense moment that scares his dad into believing they need a fresh start.

Forty years after he made his television debut, Lowes career is still on fire.

We talked to the 55-year-old actor about starring as a first responder on the new drama.

How about them apples?

Its one of the great Hollywood stories!

That was the pitch!

I will get entire scenes and Im just going, Oh my God, hes just writing me!

The notion of having a trans firefighter is a story youve never heard.

We get to answer that in a really organic, non-woke-police way.

This is the 2020 iteration of a show like this.

They were never going to do those stories onEmergency!

Thats great for the storytelling.

I kid you not, all of our stories are true.

That only happens on a Ryan Murphy procedural set in Austin, Texas.

You cant make this up.

Its edgy and sort of funny.

Its just a really good, romp adventure.

And my home area of Santa Barbara has really been through it.

And I did some training down here with the L.A. Fire Department.

I even hosted a bunch of them [at my home] during the fires.

Theres always somebody on set to tell you what equipment you would use and what you would wear.

But for me, the most important thing is, What makes someone want to do that job?

What do they love about it?

What are the pitfalls?

What are their fears?

Im lucky to have actual friends to rely on for that sort of stuff.

Youre also an executive producer on the show.

I find that I get bored a lot as an actor.

Hows working with co-star Liv Tyler?We were so excited to get Liv.

When that idea came up we were really pumped.

It felt really fresh.

Its just a function of her energy and who she is.

Shes gorgeous in a very unique way.

Its a really good part for her because its really different from anything youve seen her do before.

She plays a very focused, super-capable paramedic.

Whats been the biggest challenge?Theres an emotional side to playing Owen.

My character is the only guy in his New York firehouse who survived 9/11.

That informs every decision and how he views life.

Theres no rest in sight.

This is one of those shows that will kick your ass both mentally and physically.

Does that go for the viewers as well?Yes!

Youre going to go on a propulsive journey that is emotional as well as physical.

You better fasten your seat belts, because it is coming at you.

Watch the clip above.