Fire Country has quickly become one of the hottest shows on network television, drawing millions of viewers into the intense, high-stakes world of Northern California firefighting. The drama focuses on the complex lives of the Cal Fire crew and the inmates of the Three Rock Conservation Camp, weaving together thrilling rescue sequences with deep, often messy, family dynamics.
While the on-screen relationships—from the star-crossed chemistry of Bode Donovan and Gabriela Perez to the enduring bond of Vince and Sharon Leone—drive the show’s emotional engine, the real-life romances of the cast are just as compelling. What many fans don’t realize is that for some of the actors, their significant others don’t just cheer them on from the sidelines; they actually step behind the camera to become crucial members of the Fire Country production team.
Here is an intimate look at the real-life partners of the main cast members, including two directors who have literally brought the drama to life.
Max Thieriot (Bode Donovan): The Childhood Sweetheart
The show’s co-creator and star, Max Thieriot, who plays the troubled protagonist Bode Donovan, has a real-life romance that’s straight out of a Hollywood movie—or perhaps, a charming romantic comedy.
Lexi Murphy: A Love Story from the Caribbean
Thieriot is married to Lexi Murphy, a union that began long before his rise to TV stardom on Bates Motel and SEAL Team. The couple met when they were just 16 years old while on a family vacation in the Caribbean.
- Long-Term Loyalty: After dating for seven years, Max proposed to Lexi during a return trip to the Caribbean. They married in 2013 in Lake Tahoe, California, a decade after they first met.
- Family Man: The couple now shares two sons, Beaux and Maximus, giving Thieriot a deeply grounded family life that parallels the theme of finding a second chance and fighting for family that defines his character, Bode.
Thieriot often speaks of his wife as his rock, emphasizing the stability and enduring nature of their relationship, which provides a welcome contrast to the constant upheaval Bode faces on screen.
Diane Farr (Sharon Leone): Directed by Love
Diane Farr, who portrays the sharp, dedicated Cal Fire Battalion Chief Sharon Leone, has a partner who is intimately involved with the action on the Fire Country set.
Egill Orn Egilsson: The Series Director
Farr is in a relationship with director Egill Orn Egilsson, a name familiar to dedicated fans who pay attention to the episode credits.
- Behind the Camera: Egilsson is a seasoned director who has helmed multiple episodes of Fire Country since the show’s debut, including key installments that shape the Leone family’s storyline.
- Professional Crossover: While Farr keeps their personal life relatively private, the professional collaboration is clear: she takes direction from her partner on the very same series where she plays a central, authoritative figure. This crossover allows the couple to share a unique professional space, bringing the drama from the set home—though presumably with fewer actual flames.
Farr was previously married to Seung Yong Chung, with whom she shares three children, but her current partnership with Egilsson is a profound blending of their creative lives.
Kevin Alejandro (Manny Perez): The Spousal Collaboration
Kevin Alejandro, who plays the respected and complicated Cal Fire Captain Manny Perez, shares a commitment to filmmaking and family with his wife, who has also joined the show’s directorial ranks.
Leslie Alejandro: Directing Her Husband
Kevin is married to Leslie de Jesus Alejandro, a talented filmmaker in her own right, marking the second instance of a main cast member’s partner directing episodes of Fire Country.
- Two Decades Strong: Kevin and Leslie have been married since 2004 and share a son, Kaden. Their relationship is one of the most enduring in the cast.
- The Director’s Chair: Leslie Alejandro, who previously directed short films and music videos, stepped into episodic television by directing a significant episode of Fire Country in a later season. This professional milestone for Leslie brought her onto the set in an official capacity, allowing her to direct her husband and the rest of the ensemble cast.
- Mutual Support: Kevin is an outspoken champion of his wife’s career, and the couple’s shared passion for storytelling reinforces the family-like atmosphere of the production.
This dual-director connection—Kevin Alejandro’s wife and Diane Farr’s partner—highlights the tight-knit, collaborative nature of the Fire Country family, where off-screen bonds spill into on-screen production.
Billy Burke (Vince Leone) and Jules Latimer (Eve Edwards)
Billy Burke: Private Life, Public Hunk
Billy Burke, who portrayed the rugged Battalion Chief Vince Leone (a character whose exit in a later season was emotionally jarring for fans), tends to keep his private life extremely guarded.
- A Private Partnership: While Burke’s character was happily married on screen to Sharon Leone, the actor has historically been private about his personal relationships. He was previously married to actress Pollyanna Rose, with whom he shares a daughter, Bluesy.
- Recent Sightings: In recent years, Burke has been linked to Cheyenne Carson, with the two making red carpet appearances together, though he remains private about the specifics of their relationship.
Jules Latimer: Finding Love on Lunch Break
Jules Latimer, who plays the determined and courageous firefighter Eve Edwards, has also shared glimpses into her relationship with musician and actress Kat Cunning.
- A Modern Romance: Latimer and Cunning began dating after meeting on a lunch date in Brooklyn, according to a social media post.
- Long-Distance Love: Latimer described their relationship as a journey of “chasing each other around almost 11 cities over two years” to find time together between their busy careers, a testament to their commitment despite the demands of the industry.
The Unseen Partners of the Fire Country Crew
While not all cast members have their partners working alongside them, the enduring strength of the off-screen relationships brings a grounding reality to the high-intensity drama of Fire Country.
- Michael Trucco (Luke Leon): Trucco, who played Vince’s brother Luke, is happily married to actress Sandra Hess since 2009. The two met on the set of the TV series Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
- Stephanie Arcila (Gabriela Perez) and Jordan Calloway (Jake Crawford): Both Arcila and Calloway keep their personal lives largely private, focusing their public profiles on their intense on-screen chemistry and character arcs.
The personal stories of the Fire Country cast reveal a foundation of long-term commitment and creative collaboration that mirrors the loyalty and teamwork required of the Cal Fire crew. From teenage sweethearts to directing spouses, these relationships provide the essential emotional balance that allows the actors to fully immerse themselves in the heat and heart of one of television’s most popular dramas.
