CBS has picked up Max Thieriot’s firemen drama series, Fire Country, to pilot, according to Deadline. The show co-written by and starring the SEAL Team actor has elected Tia Napolitano (Grey’s Anatomy) as executive producer and showrunner. The series will begin production later this year.
Based on a story inspired by Thieriot’s own growing up in Northern California, the series sees him cast as Bode Donovan, a convict who agrees to work and extinguish wildfires along with actual firemen in exchange for a lesser sentence. Thieriot penned the pilot with writers Tony Phelan and Joan Rater. The duo who created NBC’s Council of Dads will remain on as executive producers.
Along with Thieriot, Deadline states the series will star Stephanie Arcila (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels), Kevin Alejandro (Arcane), Billy Burke (Maid), Jordan Calloway (Black Lightning), Diane Farr (Numbers), and Jules Latimer (Rustin). CBS Studios produces along with Jerry Bruckheimer Television.
In addition to his starring role, Deadline has confirmed Thieriot will return for the sixth season of the Paramont+ series, SEAL Team. Formerly on the linear network before transitioning to the streaming platform, the army procedural was unsure of whether it would return. Thieriot plays Clay Spense, a member of the covert Bravo team led by David Boreanaz’s (Angel) Jason. The last time viewers saw Spense, he was seeking to take a hiatus from the action in preparation for his wife and their first child. The fifth season ended with the birth of his child occurring as he suffers a major injury out on the field.
Deadline reports Spense was the lone cast member awaiting a deal for the show, which was renewed back in February. He was awaiting news on Fire Country before committing to the series. It appears SEAL Team will shoot first, as all the cast currently has a one-season deal. Following the filming of SEAL Team, Thieriot will transition to focus on Fire Country.
Jonathan Littman (Swing Vote) and KristieAnne Reed (CSI: Vegas) will also executive produce with Bruckheimer TV.