Which Fire Country Stars Are Returning, and Who’s Not for Season 4 After Departures?
Fire Country has seen some unexpected cast shifts and demotions prior to season 4. So, which characters are set to make a comeback?
The CBS series, which debuted in 2022, chronicles the journey of inmate Bode (Max Thieriot), who seeks to reduce his prison term by joining the California Conservation Camp Program. Assigned back to his hometown, he reconnects with family and old friends while striving for redemption.
By season three’s conclusion, Bode had been released and was eager to prove himself at Cal Fire. Meanwhile, the Edgewater universe expanded with a Sheriff Country spinoff featuring Sharon’s (Diane Farr) sister Mickey (Morena Baccarin) and a potential second spin-off centering on Jared Padalecki‘s character, Camden Casey, which is still under consideration.
However, drama isn’t confined to the screen. The two-part season 3 finale aired in April 2025, leaving three characters’ fates uncertain. The bigger shock came when Deadline reported that budget cuts resulted in Stephanie Arcila exiting after three seasons.
Despite this, there are plans for Arcila to possibly return as a guest star, while Billy Burke is stepping back with Vince likely succumbing to the explosion in the finale.
Keep reading to find out which characters are confirmed to return for season 4 — and which may not:
Bode Leone
Beyond simply acting in the series, Thieriot also serves as executive producer and director, contributing to each Fire Country spin-off.
“There’s still much to discover. More possibilities await in Edgewater and beyond,” Thieriot hinted exclusively to Us Weekly in May 2024. “Initially, I was eager to pace ahead too quickly. I’ve imagined at least three other directions for the world outside of Fire Country. Whether they ever materialize, we’ll see. But I have a couple more ideas brewing.”
Manny Perez
In the third season, Manny (Kevin Alejandro) found himself back at Three Rock following a recent arrest. By the season’s end, he had been released and is anticipated to continue his quest for redemption.
Jake Crawford
Prior to the finale, Jake’s (Jordan Calloway) future with Cal Fire was uncertain. He aspired to advance in the department, yet Vince (Burke) had indicated there were no immediate openings. Ultimately, Jake opted for a captain position elsewhere, but with the potential demise of Vince, the likelihood of Jake stepping into the role he desired in Edgewater appears high.
Gabriela Perez
According to showrunner Tia Napolitano, it “wasn’t determined earlier in the season” that Gabriela’s story arc would conclude. “During discussions about the season’s finale, we spoke to Stephanie while filming,” she revealed to Deadline in April 2025.
There is still a possibility for Arcila to appear as a guest star.
Eve Edwards
While Eve (Jules Latimer) survived the end of season 3, executive producer Tony Phelan mentioned to Deadline that a casting change would enhance the narrative.
“Moving into season 4, we want to keep the audience engaged and surprised, never allowing them to feel predictably comfortable with the storyline,” he emphasized in April 2025. “Real stakes need to remain in the forefront of what these heroes tackle. The unexpected drives the excitement.”
Since its 2022 premiere, Fire Country has woven intricate character relationships — and each season brings new complexities. Among the plot twists are love triangles, notably in season 1 where Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot) fell for the ex-girlfriend of his best friend Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway), Gabriella Perez (Stephanie Arcila). Yet, it’s predominantly about the intertwined fates of the characters.
Sharon Leone
Bode’s mother (Diane Farr) is among those facing uncertainty after a fire consumes the memory care facility. The writing team behind Fire Country is keeping tight-lipped about who may be lost when the show returns in fall 2025.
“We won’t confirm who might be lost,” Napolitano stated to Deadline. “There will indeed be a significant loss felt by those still in our family. When we were filming the finale, none of the cast members had knowledge of what was to come.”
Vince Leone
In a similar vein of secrecy, Burke was confirmed by Deadline not to be returning. The site indicated that budget discussions during season 3 led to cast members being asked to reduce their episode counts for cost-saving purposes. The main cast collectively decided against it, maintaining their scene counts until budget plans for season 4 were developed.
“Ultimately, it boils down to what serves the story best. There’s a lot to navigate as producers, but at our core, we’re writers and storytellers,” Rater commented to Deadline regarding the potential impact of budget cuts on the season 4 cast. “Crafting these narratives is a challenge, and we explore them from multiple angles. Decisions aren’t made lightly; we discuss extensively before following our instincts to unfold compelling tales about the challenges these heroes face.”
Burke’s character, Vince, is anticipated to be among the casualties following the actor’s casting in a guest star role for Peacock’s upcoming series, M.I.A..
Audrey James
Although Gabriela has exited, Bode’s current girlfriend (played by Leven Rambin) found herself in a precarious situation at season’s end. Audrey aided Gabriela in confronting her stalker, resulting in a gunfire incident where Finn (Blake Lee) was shot, leaving Audrey holding the gun. Rambin joined the show in season 3, but it seems likely that she will continue into the fourth chapter of Fire Country.
