As California fights severe wildfires, CBS has opted to change its primetime lineup for Friday evening. Deadline reports the January 10th episode of Fire Country, which follows a group of inmates who battle forest fires in Northern California, will be rescheduled in light of those impacted by the devastating fires in the greater Los Angeles and Southern California area. The network will run two episodes of import NCIS: Sydney starting at 8 p.m. followed by S.W.A.T.
Currently airing its third season, Fire Country premiered in 2022 with lead and creator Max Thieriot (SEAL Team, Bates Motel). Inspired by his personal experiences, the series follows Theiriot’s convict Bode Donovan who agrees to join a prison inmate firefighter program in exchange for a shorter sentence. This opportunity becomes more complex when the program settles in his hometown as he faces the people and issues of his past.
In addition to Theiriot, the series stars Morena Baccarin (Greenland, Deadpool & Wolverine), Kevin Alejandro (Arcane, Lucifer), Jordan Calloway (Black Lightning, Countdown), Jules Latimer (Rustin, Guilty Party), Billy Burke (Maid, Breaking In), and Diane Farr (Numb3rs, 12 Feet Deep). Word of a potential spinoff was announced last year, following Baccarin’s Sheriff Mickey Fox. And Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker) joined this season for a three-episode arc with rumors of a spinoff focused on his character, Camden.
Another first responder series, NBC’s Chicago Fire, aired Wednesday evening as part of NBC’s One Chicago franchise. According to Deadline, the Dick Wolf series returned from its holiday break along with new episodes of Chicago PD and Chicago Med.
The drier conditions have halted many industry events and TV productions. Yesterday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards live nominations announcement and the Los Angeles premiere event for Max’s The Pitt were both canceled. Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards has been rescheduled for later this month. Several shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Hacks, Prime Video’s Fallout, and CBS’s NCIS paused production due to the wildfires with a return date pending.