Fire Country MIA: Why Season 2 Won't Be Returning to CBS This Fall
The hit show won't be returning this year.
CBS's Fire Country emerged as one of the biggest surprises on network television last year. This series, which revolves around a group of prisoners who seek reformation by battling dangerous wildfires, drew in audiences with its gripping narrative and stellar performances from Billy Burke and the rest of the cast. Even before the first season reached its midpoint, CBS swiftly announced the show's renewal for a second season. However, it would appear that fans will have to wait longer than anticipated to see their favourite band of unconventional firefighters back in action.
While CBS initially aimed to premiere the second season this fall, the producers were forced to rethink their release schedule when WGA members went on strike in May. Despite this setback, the network remained optimistic about Fire Country moving forward without the writers, given that the majority of episodes were already scripted and ready for production.
Yet, things got more complicated last month when SAG-AFTRA joined the WGA strike, preventing actors from appearing in films and TV shows. And while CBS initially held off announcing the official delay of Fire Country in the hope of a swift resolution of the dispute, it has now come time to break the bad news: Season 2 will not be premiering this year.
As per CBS's official statement, Fire Country has shifted from its intended fall premiere to a midseason slot, implying that the show will return sometime between January and April 2024.
Though this news is undeniably a letdown, fans can take solace in the fact that CBS opted to postpone rather than cancel Season 2, even though the ensuing production costs might strain the network's budget.
Regrettably, it would appear that this coming fall is shaping up to be a very bad time for TV releases, with major shows like Law & Order, Blue Bloods and Yellowjackets having also been put off until 2024.
We can only hope that the ongoing strikes end soon and that writers and actors will be able to make enough money in their jobs even as the entertainment industry's landscape is changing all around them.