BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — There were obvious elements from the CBS action series “Fire Country” that needed to be integrated into the new spinoff series “Sheriff Country.” Both series take place in the same small town of Edgewater, CA, depend on lots of action to entertain viewers and feature actors crossing over between the two dramas.
There was one element of “Fire Country” that Max Thieriot (who stars on “Fire” and is a creator of “Sherrif”) knew was vital to make part of the new offering. The new show had to have the same sense of community established in the original program.
“This place is where everybody sort of knows everyone, and everything is that much more personal, I think it makes it that much more relatable,” Thieriot says. “One of the big core elements is that both shows take place in Edgewater, in this community, so it’s really about building out this community and a better sense of one side of the town, and then the other side of the town.”
What goes on the other side in “Sheriff Country” revolves around Morena Baccarin who plays straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr of “Fire Country”). She investigates criminal activity while she patrols the streets of the small town and vast surrounding countryside contending with her ex-con father, Wes (W. Earl Brown), who is an off-the-grid marijuana grower. There is also a mysterious incident involving her wayward daughter.
“We get to see the extension of the family with the dad, and some version of, if not forgiveness, cohabitating. And I think for the fans of ‘Fire Country,’ it’s exciting to see the family grow and to see how Mickey is so ever frustrated with her family,” Baccarin says.
Baccarin began her career in the critically acclaimed show “Firefly.” Additional television credits include “Gotham,” “V,” “The Endgame,” “Sessao de Terapia” and “Home Invasion.” Baccarin starred in “Deadpool,” as well as the franchise’s two other films, “Deadpool 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” She also starred in the hitman thriller “Fast Charlie” and the sci-fi thriller “Elevation.”
Additional film credits include “Greenland: Migration,” “Millers in Marriage,” “Last Looks,” “The Good House,” “Ode to Joy,” “Framing John Delorean” and “Spy.”
All that work didn’t prepare Baccarin for the challenges of getting “Sherrif Country” launched. Her character was introduced in an episode of “Fire Country” that ended up being a lot of pressure for Baccarin.
“It was a bit harrowing when people kept saying to me, this might be a spin-off, but it just depends on whether or not they like you. So just do your best, and hopefully you’ll get your own show,” Baccarin says. “I got pitched the character and the sort of general idea of the pilot and immediately, utterly fell in love with this part and the potential of it. So, it was really like a dangling carrot.
“There’s really nothing for an actor with the potential of their own show to make them do a really good job on something. I suggest that for every show from now on.”
One of the more emotional elements in the sheriff’s life is dealing with her ex-husband played by Christopher Gorham (“The Lincoln Lawyer”). The two must stay in contact because of their daughter and that sets up big emotional moments.
Gorham says, “One of my favorite things about the beginning of this first season is really digging and learning more about Travis and Mickey’s relationship, and what happened with them, because when we meet them, they’ve been divorced for about 5 years, and they’re doing their best to co-parent their daughter.
“We had some very mixed results. And, so, it makes for great drama.”
The family element has given more elements for Baccarin to play. While the series will have plenty of action, there will also be an equal amount of time spent taking a look at what goes on when the day’s work is done.
What Baccarin has discovered with her character is that she is far more comfortable in her office. That’s where she feels the most competent and able to handle any situation.
“The show really is about a lot of taking somebody who is very black and white and putting them in really awkward and gray situations. It makes for combustion,” Baccarin says. “She’s got this relationship with her daughter that’s incredibly complicated.
“She’s got her ex-husband, who is doing some things that she does not agree with. It’s all a very high-pressure situation.”
“Sheriff Country” debuts at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 on CBS. It will be available on the streaming service of Paramount+ the following day. The cast also includes Matt Lauria, W. Earl Brown and Michele Weaver.
