New series “Fire Country”: Worth seeing and frighteningly current at the same time

New series “Fire Country”
Worth seeing and frighteningly current at the same time

What happens when a man who has strayed from the right path has to literally walk through fire to apologize for his actions? This question is addressed by the new series “Fire Country”, which will premiere on the pay channel Universal TV Germany from September 11th. In addition to action, tragedy and drama, there is also a main actor for whom the series is a passion project for personal reasons.

The chance for forgiveness – that’s what it’s all about

Fate seems to have its own plans for Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot, 34). After he has served around half of his five-year sentence, he is offered an unexpected chance for freedom – and atonement: A new prison program plans to release prisoners like him early from prison. However, the prisoners cannot be released without something in return: they have to join a unit of firefighters in order to get the serious fires in Northern California under control.

So did Bode trade his life behind bars for purgatory on earth? It almost seems so, especially since things get even worse for him: he is assigned to his old home, the town of Edgewater. Instead of “just” being confronted with forest fires, he is also confronted with his own past. Because not all of his former companions are enthusiastic about welcoming the city’s prodigal son back.

Fiction and reality in lockstep

Unfortunately, devastating major fires occur again and again around the world. Recently, they seem to have dominated the news world more than ever: forest fires in Greece, historic towns on Maui consumed by flames – the plot of “Fire Country”, as sad as it may be, is both current and relevant. Just like the tireless work of the emergency services who stand in the way of fires time and time again. To a certain extent, the series can be seen as a tribute to her.

It is a personal concern of main actor Max Thieriot, who also serves as co-creator of the series, which he pursues with “Fire Country”. The “Bates Motel” star’s experiences with fires while growing up in Northern California served as the basis for the story. The US state is known for sometimes huge areas destroyed by fires every year. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, almost 1.8 million hectares fell victim to various fires in 2020 alone – not to mention numerous human lives.

“Fire Country” presents these real backgrounds in an action-packed way, but at the same time they are embedded in a fictional, character-driven plot. The fact that this demanding balancing act succeeds seems logical, not least when you look at the names behind the series: After all, bombast jack-of-all-trades Jerry Bruckheimer (79) and the makers of the hospital drama series “Grey’s Anatomy” have their fingers in the game. In short: glossy pathos meets tricky interpersonal relationships.

The perfect mix?

This mix, the numbers from the USA do not allow any other conclusions, is well received. Each of the episodes received over ten million views there around a month after broadcast. In the case of “Fire Country,” this is quite impressive because: With 22 episodes of around 45 minutes each, the series is a throwback to the golden days of TV, when series didn’t take their summer break after ten or even fewer episodes.

As was appropriate, US broadcaster CBS ordered it in January of this year a second season of the drama series. But that’s not all: several spin-offs are also said to be in the planning stage. This makes it clear: the success of “Fire Country” is by no means a flash in the pan.

Anyone who wants to see for themselves will have the opportunity to do so on Universal TV from September 11th. “Fire Country” will then celebrate its German TV premiere in double episodes, which will be broadcast on Mondays from 8:15 p.m.

SpotOnNews