Warning: Contains SPOILERS for the season 3 premiere of Fire Country.Season 3, Episode 1 of Land of Fire ends on a cliffhanger, with an explosion occurring at the crash site seconds before the credits roll. Bode and Gabriela spend the premiere caring for an injured pilot in the woods, while Jake tries to save Genevieve and Rick at Smokey’s Tavern. The out-of-control helicopter crashed into the roof, leaving them stranded, injured and on borrowed time. Also on the scene is Eve, who is surprised to learn that Gen could be Rick’s biological daughter.
After the rescue, actor Jules Latimer explains that his character feels sorry for Jake and the complicated situation he finds himself in. However, Eve will do her best to remain neutral and provide the best advice possible under the circumstances. Latimer goes on to share her excitement about Eve’s upcoming storyline and the inclusion of her real-life experience. She reveals that the new episodes will provide long-awaited answers about the firefighter’s past, including why Eve chose to become a first responder.
Screen speech interviews Latimer about the events of the premiere, Eve’s story and her focus in Three Rock, and Jared Padalecki’s new role in Land of Fire season 3.
Latimer shares first reaction to The Fire Country Season 3 premiere script
“Oh, we’re really coming in strong.”
Screen Rant: What were your initial thoughts when you read the Season 3 premiere script?
Jules Latimer: I thought, “Oh, we’re really coming in strong.” First of all, I didn’t know we were going to do a direct pickup, so it was a bit of a shock. And then when I saw the helicopter crash, I thought, “You know it’s Fire Country because it can’t just be a wedding.” We have to be the ones who have to rescue and save a lot of people. I was really moved and excited.
The third season brings a lot of changes. How does the fact that Bode is a free man affect Eve’s storyline?
Jules Latimer: It’s actually kind of weird because on the production side, I don’t see Max anymore. So every time I see him I think, “Wow, you’re not in my camp anymore.” We have a lot to catch up on when we have scenes together. They reorganized a lot of people. The first episode was a little strange. It was kind of a reunion because I got to spend time with Sharon, Vince and Gabriela because we’re on the run and trying to save people, but it left everyone a little confused.
When we first filmed the episode and came back from hiatus, it was like, “All systems go.” We’re just saving people and I don’t think anyone has a chance of knowing what’s going on. We are all pulled in many different directions. Eve is in the helicopter crash, so I go to Smokey’s, and then I’m with Jake, and then there’s Rick and Genevieve. Everyone is trying to solve so many problems, and it was kind of chaotic.
Fire Country Season 3 Will Reveal More About Eve’s Story
“You get a lot of insight into why she chose this career and why she invested in Three Rock.”
Eve is with Jake during the events of 301, and they see a new side of Rick. Do you think he surprised them?
Jules Latimer: Ever since we grew up, Rick just wasn’t a good guy. And then seeing his relationship with Genevieve when they’re in prison – I think I really feel for Jake. He’s going through a lot and he’s my best friend, and I’m there for him. So I don’t know. I’ve had a multitude of emotions, and it’s really just feeling for all the people around me and getting to know Rick. I’m just picking up on a lot of people’s emotions and being a sense of support for them.
Jake isn’t thrilled with the possibility of Rick being Gen’s father. Now that Eve is involved in everything, what would you say she thinks as Jake’s best friend?
Jules Latimer: It’s a very complicated situation. In subsequent episodes, we both try to work with him as a father figure, which is weird for all of us. I really feel sorry for my friend. I feel like he’s in such a complicated situation. As you feel for any friend who has to go through something really difficult, it’s hard for me to wrap my emotions around this, and I’m just trying to stay as neutral and give him the best advice I can.
Season 2 set up a lot for Eve with her work and her focus on Three Rock. How do you feel about your character’s progression in this new batch of episodes?
Jules Latimer: I’m super excited because the theme of the season is “legacy,” so we have a lot of character-driven work. It’s not necessarily evident in the first episode, but we learn a lot about Eve’s history, her family, and why she enjoys being a firefighter so much. It clarifies a lot of things for me as an actor because I didn’t know what her background was.
We have a lot to look forward to in this. I think the theme of this episode is just family. They are firefighters who sacrifice their lives to save other people’s lives, but we don’t know much about their lives. You get a lot of information about why she chose this career and why she invested in Three Rock and what it’s like.
We had such a short run last season, so I feel like we’re really going to get a chance to flesh out all the characters, which is really exciting. We’re going to win a lot the day before. We actually just wrapped up a couple of episodes that weigh heavily on her story, and it was really emotional. I’m really excited for people to see this.
Eve’s story is inspired by Latimer’s own life
“I met with the writers right before we started the season and talked about things I was excited about showing.”
Is there a storyline you’d like to see explored for Eve that the series hasn’t had a chance to delve into yet?
Jules Latimer: Yeah, it’s funny because I met with the writers right before we started the season and I talked about things that I was excited about showing and I thought, “I really want to show the fact that she’s a country girl.” Personally, I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and when I had the opportunity to do this show and meet Max, I thought, “We’re both country people, and I don’t think we have many images of black people on farms or ranches.”
“I think it would be really cool to see Eve — maybe she’ll be on a horse, maybe we’ll see her on a farm. Maybe we’ll see the things that tie her to small-town values or things that she grew up with and that’s all she knows.” Luckily, that happens this season, and we get the chance to see her relationship develop with an ex who enters the picture. You can see what ties her to the city, and I’m very touched by that.
Fans are so excited for Jared Padalecki to join Land of Fire season 3. Can Eve interact with her character?
Jules Latimer: Yes. We have a really beautiful episode together, and even your introduction is incredible for the season. It’s very shocking, and we all think, “Who is this guy?” We have to deal with a whole fire that happens in a forest together. As a person, he’s an amazing guy. I’ve always been a fan of Jared. I had a lot of fun working with him.
He’s incredible. I just didn’t realize all the things he did. I’m a Gilmore Girl, but just talking to him and learning more about him, his family, he’s such a great guy. He and Max are great friends. We have such a family atmosphere on set, so it’s always good to have new people. Jared is extremely welcome at Fire Country. He is truly phenomenal.
About CBS’s Land of Fire
Inspired by series star Max Thieriot’s experiences growing up in Northern California’s Fire Country
FIRE COUNTRY stars Max Thieriot (SEAL TEAM) as Bode Leone, a young convict seeking redemption and a reduced prison sentence by joining a prison firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates partner up with elite firefighters to extinguish massive and unpredictable wildfires across the country. the region.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward mission, and the situation escalates when Bode is assigned to the program in his hometown, where he was once an American golden child until his troubles began. Years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving the town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with a criminal’s rap sheet and the audacity to believe in a chance at redemption with Cal Fire.
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Land of Fire airs Fridays on CBS at 9pm ET/PT.