The adrenaline-fueled drama of Fire Country is roaring back for its fourth season, but the landscape of Edgewater, California, and the tight-knit crew of Station 42 will be forever changed. Following a catastrophic Season 3 finale cliffhanger, the new season immediately confronts the brutal cost of a firefighter’s life, leading to the show’s biggest cast shake-up to date.
Season 4 of Fire Country sees the central ensemble grappling with immense grief, new leadership, and uncertain futures. While many fan-favorite actors are returning to face the trauma, two key original stars have exited the series as regulars, paving the way for a crucial new figure to challenge the established “Leone way” of operating.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the core cast returning to the front lines, the beloved characters who won’t be back as series regulars, and the new face stepping into the firehouse.
The Core Crew: Returning Series Regulars
Despite the tragedy and the turmoil of the Season 3 finale, the emotional heart of Fire Country remains intact, anchored by the resilience of the Leone family and the veterans of Station 42. These actors are confirmed to return as series regulars:
Max Thieriot as Bode Leone
The series protagonist returns, but he’s facing his most formidable challenge yet. Bode, having been on a fragile path to redemption, must now deal with the immense grief of losing his father, Vince Leone. This season will focus on Bode battling his internal demons—specifically his struggle with sobriety—while attempting to live up to the legacy of the man who led Station 42. His quest for a clean slate and a future as a full Cal Fire firefighter will be complicated by new leadership and the gaping hole left by his father.
Diane Farr as Sharon Leone
As the soul of the Leone family and the backbone of Cal Fire, Sharon’s journey in Season 4 will be defined by grief and leadership. She must navigate the loss of her husband while protecting her son, Bode, and maintaining order at a firehouse reeling from tragedy. Expect Sharon to be at the center of the conflict with the new Battalion Chief, determined to uphold Vince’s values and protect her crew from outsiders attempting to dismantle the family dynamic he built.
Kevin Alejandro as Manny Perez
Manny’s journey has been one of ups and downs, but his role becomes even more critical in the wake of Vince’s death. Having served as a mentor and a father figure to Bode during his time at Three Rock, Manny must now step up to fill a massive void, both as a friend to the Leones and as a leader in the firefighting community. His storyline will explore his place in Edgewater following his daughter Gabriela’s departure.
Jordan Calloway as Jake Crawford
Jake, Bode’s best friend and rival, will shoulder a significant amount of guilt and responsibility for the events of the finale. Jake was the one who physically restrained Bode, preventing him from rushing into the collapsing structure, a decision that arguably saved Bode’s life but left Vince inside. His ambition for promotion, coupled with his raw grief, will put him at odds with the new leadership and potentially even with Bode.
Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards
Eve, the dedicated captain of the Three Rock fire camp, is also back, though her world is drastically changed. The Three Rock facility was destroyed in the Zabel Ridge fire, and now, along with her crew, she faces the challenge of rebuilding her command and her purpose. Eve’s no-nonsense approach and deep loyalty will be essential as Station 42 attempts to navigate its new reality.
The Departures: Who Is Not Returning as a Regular
The most dramatic shift for Season 4 involves the absence of two pivotal original cast members. These creative decisions mark a bold, new direction for the series, one that promises a significant shift in dynamics.
Billy Burke as Vince Leone (EXITED) 💔
The most tragic and impactful departure is the confirmation of Vince Leone’s death. After a Season 3 finale cliffhanger left his fate ambiguous, the show’s trailer and premiere confirmed that Vince, the Battalion Chief and patriarch of the Leone family, died saving lives in the Zabel Ridge fire.
Showrunner Tia Napolitano defended the decision, explaining that Vince’s death was a necessary creative choice to stay true to the high-stakes reality of a firefighter’s life. His passing serves as the central emotional catalyst for the entire fourth season, forcing all characters—especially Bode and Sharon—to confront their deepest fears and re-evaluate their lives and priorities. The showrunners have stated that Vince’s legacy will be the “narrative anchor” of the season, meaning his presence will be felt even in his absence.
Stephanie Arcila as Gabriela Perez (EXITED as Series Regular) 🚪
The fan-favorite character Gabriela Perez also exits the series as a series regular in the Season 4 premiere. Though not killed off, Gabriela chooses to leave Edgewater to accept a new, ambitious role in Cal Fire recruitment.
Showrunners explained that Gabriela’s departure was a “creative decision” to provide a “reset” for the tumultuous Bode and Gabriela relationship (or “Bodiela”). This separation is designed to inject a sense of longing and new obstacles into their epic love story, which the showrunners insist is far from over. Gabriela’s exit allows her to pursue professional growth while simultaneously leaving Bode without a major support system at his most vulnerable time, thereby intensifying his personal struggle. The show’s creative team has expressed hope for Arcila to return in the future as a guest star.
The New Face: A Threat to the Old Guard
The power vacuum left by Vince Leone’s death is filled by an immediate source of conflict, introducing a new series-defining character who will challenge the established order at Station 42.
Shawn Hatosy as Battalion Chief Brett Richards (NEW) 🚨
Veteran actor Shawn Hatosy (known for his roles in Animal Kingdom and The Pitt) joins the cast as Battalion Chief Brett Richards. Richards is a no-nonsense, hard-edged Cal Fire titan brought in to temporarily lead the station in the wake of the tragedy.
Richards is set up as the primary antagonist and a mirror for Station 42. His arrival is intended to force the tight-knit crew to confront whether the “Leone way”—a culture built on familial loyalty and sometimes bending the rules—is truly the safest or most responsible way to operate.
- Conflict: He immediately butts heads with Sharon and Bode, hammering the grieving crew with the battle cry of “No more dead firefighters!“
- Purpose: The writers introduced Richards to shake up the entire series, challenging the characters’ beliefs and forcing them to rise to a new level of professionalism and accountability. His methods will not be well-received, but they will be instrumental in determining the future of Station 42.
The Season 4 cast changes are a calculated risk, trading the stability of the established ensemble for a raw, new dramatic tension. The tragedy of Vince’s death and the resulting void created by both his and Gabriela’s exits guarantee a high-stakes, emotionally charged season where every returning character is forced to redefine their purpose on the front lines.
