Fire Country Showrunner Confirms Emotional Goodbye That Changes Bode Forever

Fire Country spoilers and updates reveal the Fire Country team is in for a tough autumn. The CBS drama bids farewell to not just one, but two key characters when Season 4 kicks off this October.

Captain Vince Leone And Gabriela Perez Are Being Written Off The Show

In the aftermath of the Season 3 cliffhanger, Captain Vince Leone (Billy Burke), his wife Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), and his father Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey) were trapped in a burning building.

It was revealed that Burke will not be returning to the series. He isn’t the only cast member departing: Stephanie Arcila, who portrays Bode Leone’s (Max Thieriot) on-and-off love interest Gabriela Perez, is also leaving the show.

However, while a somber farewell seems inevitable for Vince, considering the perilous predicament he was left in, Arcila’s character is set to appear in the Season 4 premiere. It’s titled “Goodbye for Now,” which promises a more optimistic send-off.

Executive Producer Tia Napolitano Explains

“We are thrilled to welcome back Stephanie and Gabriela for the premiere, and we truly crafted a love letter to the character,” shares executive producer Tia Napolitano with TV Insider.

She adds that the hour serves as “a really beautiful sendoff for now that suits the character, and if you’re a fan, I believe it’s genuine fan candy.”

Gabriela’s last episode (at least for the time being) will also touch on her relationship with ex-boyfriend Bode. “We will catch glimpses of ‘Bodiela,'” Napolitano reveals.

Ups And Downs, But Still Important

The couple has experienced their share of highs and lows throughout the seasons, yet they continue to hold great significance for one another despite no longer being together.

Consequently, Gabriela’s farewell is set to profoundly affect Bode. “She will play a crucial role in his life, just as she always has, especially during the premiere, leaving him wondering how he will cope without her once she departs,” Napolitano shares.

“We’ve only seen him since she entered his life in various roles over the years, so this will certainly stir things up. I believe it will leave us craving more of Gabriela in the future, which is always a positive outcome.

Maybe Bode Will Commiserate With Manny

Perhaps Bode can share his feelings about Gabby’s departure with her father, Manny Perez (Kevin Alejandro), who will need to redirect his fatherly energy now that his daughter is not around.

“With Gabriela not being present in every episode, he has all this dad advice and dad jokes that he can’t use, so you’ll see him stepping into a parental role for Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway), Eve Edwards (Jules Latimer), and of course Bode, showcasing Manny’s wisdom,” Napolitano explains.

Fire Country Season 4 is set to premiere on Friday, Oct. 17, at 8/7c on CBS, before shifting to its regular 9 pm timeslot the following Friday, Oct. 24.

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