After a long delay due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, Fire Country Season 2 came blazing back to CBS on Feb. 16. The hit action-drama was co-created by Max Thieriot, who also leads the series as troubled convict Bode Donovan. Partway through his sentence for armed robbery, Donovan signs up for California’s inmate firefighter program—and is surprisingly assigned to his hometown.
Here is a guide to Fire Country Season 2, which aired its finale on May 17, including cast details.
Was there a Fire Country Season 2?
Yes. The series was renewed for a second season way back in January 2023. The show immediately lit a fire with audiences as it became the most-viewed new series on broadcast television of the 2022-2023 season. In fact, the show was awarded a full season order less than two weeks after its Oct. 7, 2022 debut. The show has since gotten a Season 3 renewal.
Is Fire Country based on a true story?
While the plot of the CBS series Fire Country is completely original, it was inspired by a real-life firefighting program, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Thieriot was inspired by his experiences growing up in the fire country of Northern California when he began creating the idea for the series.
Unfortunately, the real life CalFire program isn’t entirely on board with the series. In May 2022, CalFire Chief Joe Tyler released the following statement, “This television series is a misrepresentation of the professional all-hazards fire department and resource protection agency that Cal Fire is. The dramatization of inmate firefighters fighting members of Cal Fire is a poor reflection of the value of our Camps Program and the incredible work and leadership of our Fire Captains who supervise our hand crews.”
What happens in Season 1 of Fire Country?
The plot of Fire Country Season 1 revolves around Bode Donovan (Thieriot), a young convict serving a sentence for armed robbery. Donovan, who’s been rejected for parole, volunteers for the California Conservation Camp Program, a program in which prisoners assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as a way to shorten his sentence. However, things take a dramatic turn for the inmate when he is assigned to his hometown by the program, forcing him to confront his past as well as old friends—all while working alongside his fellow inmates and real firefighters.
What was the Fire Country Season 2 release date?
Ordinarily the show would have returned in the fall of 2023, but production was delayed due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes. The show instead returned to CBS on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET.
When was the Season 1 finale of Fire Country?
The Season 1 finale of Fire Country aired on Friday, May 19, 2023.
When was the Season 2 finale of Fire Country?
Fire Country aired its Season 2 finale on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Who was cast in Fire Country Season 2?
The main characters from the first season returned:
Max Thieriot (Bode Donovan)
Bode Donovan is the main character of Fire Country. He’s a young convicted felon serving time for armed robbery. After being rejected for parole, he signs up for the California Conservation Camp Program, a program in which prisoners assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as a way to shorten his sentence and to redeem himself.
Billy Burke (Vince Leone)
Twilight actor Billy Burke plays third-generation CalFire-fighter Vince Leone, who has no ambitions to move further up in the organization, like his wife, Sharon, and brother Luke have. We’ve seen Vince battle with the memory of his daughter’s death, which will likely continue to influence his arc. His relationship with Sharon, his wife and boss, has already continued to create drama in the second season as well.
Diane Farr (Sharon Leone)
As Division Chief, Sharon Leone’s no-nonsense approach put her at odds with others in the department, including her husband, Vince Leone. In Season 2 we see that she’s stepped down from that position and now works as a firefighter on equal footing with the rest.
Kevin Alejandro (Manny Perez)
As the captain leading the Edgewater inmate firefighter crew, Manny mentors his team and helps them make the most of their second chances.
Jules Latimer (Eve Edwards)
We saw Eve move on from the loss of her close friend in the first season, as she continued to prove herself as a skilled firefighter. Being native to the Edgewater area, she had her own opinions about Donovan. She is best friends with fellow firefighter Jake Crawford, which creates an interesting dynamic on the team.
Jordan Calloway (Jake Crawford)
Jake Crawford has lived in Edgewater since he was a teenager and is best friends with fellow firefighter Eve Edwards.
Stephanie Arcila (Gabriela Perez)
Gabriela is an Olympic diver and Manny Perez’s daughter. Her will-they-won’t-they dynamic with Bode makes for a lot of television drama.
Who from the cast died in Fire Country Season 2?
Cara (Sabina Gadecki) died in Season 2, Episode 5. In her dying moments she made Bode promise to take care of Genevieve (Alix West Lefler), her 12-year-old daughter who might have been Bode’s kid, but wasn’t after all.
