The expansion of the Max Thieriot-created Edgewater Universe with the launch of the new procedural drama, Sheriff Country, has been one of the most exciting developments in network television. While fans are eager to see crossover appearances from their favorite Cal Fire and inmate firefighting crews, one familiar face from Fire Country has made a stunning move to the spinoff in an entirely different capacity.
Kevin Alejandro, beloved by fans as the wise and often embattled Captain Manny Perez on Fire Country, has officially joined the team of Sheriff Country, not as an actor (at least initially), but as a director. This pivot from an on-screen series regular to a behind-the-camera leadership role in the same fictional universe is a major and thrilling transition for the star, and it showcases the depth of talent within the Fire Country production family.
Stepping Behind the Camera: Alejandro’s New Assignment
While the world of Fire Country is defined by the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled chaos of battling massive wildfires, Sheriff Country introduces viewers to the grittier, more methodical hunt of crime-solving in the small town of Edgewater. Kevin Alejandro’s role as director helps bridge these two worlds, bringing a sense of aesthetic and character familiarity to the new show.
Alejandro, who has successfully directed multiple episodes of Fire Country, in addition to other popular shows like Lucifer and National Treasure: Edge of History, was tapped to direct key early episodes of the spinoff, including Season 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3.
A Director’s “Superpower”
Alejandro’s deep experience as a series regular on set gives him a unique advantage in the director’s chair. He has referred to his acting background as his “superpower” when directing.
- Actor-Centric Approach: As an actor himself, he understands the needs of the cast, the rhythm of a scene from a performer’s perspective, and how to create a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Universe Familiarity: Being an integral part of the Fire Country creative team since the beginning means he is intimately familiar with the tone, character arcs, and overall feeling of the Edgewater world, ensuring the spinoff maintains a cohesive identity.
This directorial lending of a key creative voice from the flagship show is a strategic move, ensuring a smooth narrative transition for viewers as the franchise expands.
Will Manny Perez Appear on Sheriff Country?
For fans concerned about this new role pulling Alejandro away from his acting duties as Manny, the news is overwhelmingly positive: Kevin Alejandro is not leaving Fire Country. He remains a series regular, and his directorial role on Sheriff Country was scheduled during a time that did not conflict with the filming of the flagship series.
However, the nature of the shared Edgewater Universe ensures that Manny Perez will, in fact, make his presence known in the new sheriff’s procedural.
Manny’s Guest Star Role
Alejandro is set to make a guest star appearance as Manny Perez in an upcoming episode of Sheriff Country (Episode 5, “Expecting Trouble”). This is a true crossover event where Manny’s professional world—Cal Fire—will directly intersect with Sheriff Mickey Fox’s jurisdiction.
Alejandro teased that Manny would be:
- Responding to a fire (naturally).
- Bringing his “wisdom”—whether the police want it or not!
This type of character cross-pollination is a staple of shared TV universes, and Manny’s presence will ground the new show firmly in the reality established by Fire Country.
The Edgewater Universe Expands: Crossovers and Connections
Kevin Alejandro’s directorial shift is just one part of the wider connective tissue binding these two shows. The goal of the expanded universe, a passion project for co-creator and Fire Country star Max Thieriot, is to create an authentic, small-town world where everyone is connected.
Key Connections Between Fire Country and Sheriff Country:
- Executive Production: Max Thieriot is an Executive Producer on both shows, ensuring a consistent creative vision and tone across the franchise.
- Main Cast Crossover: Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot) himself appeared in the Sheriff Country premiere, solidifying the family connection: Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin) is Bode’s estranged step-aunt, and the sister of Sharon Leone (Diane Farr).
- Sharon Leone’s Role: Diane Farr’s character, Cal Fire Division Chief Sharon Leone, is a major connecting factor and is set to guest star on Sheriff Country. Her close relationship with her estranged sister, Mickey, is a core emotional element of the spinoff.
The new universe structure allows the series to explore different facets of the same small California county—one moment tracking a major blaze with Cal Fire, and the next tracking a complex crime with the Sheriff’s Department. This ambitious undertaking leverages the popular small-town, first-responder genre that Fire Country has perfected.
Kevin Alejandro’s dual role—first as a director to shape the narrative, and then as a beloved character to anchor a crossover—is a powerful testament to the creative strength and collaborative spirit driving the entire Edgewater Franchise. The star is not just an actor in a hit series; he is an increasingly significant creative force helping to define the future of the interconnected TV universe.
