Max Thieriot Leads Hit TV Shows 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country'

The actor and producer has turned his rural California hometown into a hit TV franchise.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Max Thieriot is the star, co-creator, and executive producer of the hit CBS and Paramount+ shows 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country,' which are the top two rated shows on Friday nights. Thieriot, who grew up in the small town of Occidental, California, has drawn inspiration from his own experiences to create the fictional town of Edgewater, where the shows are set. The two series will have their first crossover episode this Friday, as the sheriffs and firefighters team up to search for missing teens.

Why it matters

Thieriot's success in creating two hit shows set in a small, rural community highlights the appeal of grounded human stories that resonate with a broad audience. The shows also provide employment for hundreds of people, and Thieriot hopes the fictional town of Edgewater can help bridge some of the real-world divisions in the country.

The details

Thieriot, who previously starred in 'Bates Motel' and 'SEAL Team,' turned to writing and created the character of Bode Donovan, an inmate given the chance to join Cal Fire in exchange for a shortened prison sentence. Over the seasons, Bode has faced personal challenges like drug dependency and family strains, in addition to battling harrowing wildfires. Thieriot was influenced by the show 'Friday Night Lights' and wanted to create a series where the community and its characters were the main draw, not just the action. The writers of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country' work to develop well-rounded characters and storylines that reflect the realities of life in a small town, where first responders often know the victims they're helping.

  • On Friday, April 4, 2026, 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country' will air their first crossover episode.
  • Both shows premiered in the 2022-23 TV season and are now in their fourth and freshman seasons, respectively.

The players

Max Thieriot

The star, co-creator, and executive producer of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country,' who grew up in the small town of Occidental, California and drew inspiration from his own experiences to create the fictional town of Edgewater where the shows are set.

Morena Baccarin

The lead actress of 'Sheriff Country,' which is a spinoff of 'Fire Country.'

Joan Rater

The co-creator of both 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country' along with her husband, Tony Phelan.

Tony Phelan

The co-creator of both 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country' along with his wife, Joan Rater.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It still feels a little surreal, for sure. I didn't feel like I was as smart as a lot of other writers, but the thing that I also realized early on is the biggest thing is you just need to connect with people. If you can move people, then you have them.”

— Max Thieriot, Star, Co-Creator, and Executive Producer of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country'

“The thing that I loved about that show was you didn't have to be a fan of football to like it. You saw how football was something in this community that brought everybody together, how life revolved around it.”

— Max Thieriot, Star, Co-Creator, and Executive Producer of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country'

“There is something different about rolling up on a scene and it's your friend or your neighbor. You know them as a whole person. And so you're not going to come with certain assumptions you may come with if you didn't know them.”

— Joan Rater, Co-Creator of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country'

“Max is incredibly generous, but he also has a very clear idea of the story and the tone of the show and what feels true to him. I think Max is really dialed into the audience of the show.”

— Tony Phelan, Co-Creator of 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country'

What’s next

The crossover episode between 'Fire Country' and 'Sheriff Country' will air this Friday, April 4, 2026, as the two shows team up to search for missing teens in the fictional town of Edgewater.

The takeaway

Max Thieriot's success in creating two hit shows set in a small, rural community highlights the power of grounded human stories that resonate with a broad audience. By drawing inspiration from his own upbringing, Thieriot has tapped into the universal themes of community, family, and the challenges of life in a tight-knit town, providing employment for hundreds while also aiming to bridge real-world divisions.