They say if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned, and that is the truth for some of the characters from the Jerry Bruckheimer-helmed CBS Drama, Fire Country. The drama, starring Max Thierot, centers on Bode Donovan/Leone, a convict who has a very troubled past. In order to shorten his prison sentence, he signes up for the California Conservation Program, a real program that allows California prisoners to help Cal Fire put out fires across the state. The drama is based on Thieriot's upbringing in Northern California, an area of the state that routinely sees devastating wildfires. While the series is focused on Bode's redemption, Fire Country's biggest strength is the characters that surround him and help him on his path out of prison. Some of these characters are absolutely beloved. But unfortunately, some of them are annoying, at best.Despite some good intentions, some of these characters can’t seem to break out of their own ways, and as such, they are simply the worst. That said, in this lineup of interesting figures, we get to see where everyone’s favorite firefighting heroes land: are they on a throne of gold or a throne of lies? Let's rank the best characters from Fire Country based on how likable they are.
10 Bode Donovan
While he is technically the main character of the show, Bode Donovan/Leone is the most bothersome character of the entire cast. He may come off as well-intentioned, but he is careless, reckless, and willing to risk everything of himself (and those around him) to prove he really is good. This could be an admirable trait if done with self-restraint, but it's a lesson that Bode clearly hasn't learned yet.
9 Rebecca Lee
Another character who seems decent for a moment, acting as an attorney to help inmates, Rebecca Lee (Fiona Rene), is just a convict looking out for herself. While she briefly gets into a relationship with Bode, she realizes it will go nowhere because of his lack of investment, and she is devastated when he ends it.
Her career as a defense lawyer was abruptly ended when she was arrested and booked for an incident of drunk driving. And despite some intentions for good with the Cal Fire program, she regularly failed to maintain her sobriety, which Bode helped hide. Ultimately, she dies in the line of duty, and while it is devastating, her character is not really missed.
The younger brother of Vince, Luke Leone (Michael Trucco), serves as an operational communications director for the Cal Fire program. He previously served as a firefighter working in active fires, gaining him respect in the industry as well as some bumps and bruises along the way.
He comes across, at least initially so, as a playful and endearing individual. However, when given time to know him, it is revealed that his endearing nature is simply a facade, and he doesn’t really care about anything or anyone but himself, which makes him a truly unlikable character.
7 Alex Shawcross/Collin O'Reilly
Serving as the newest member of the Cal Fire team, Collin O’Reilly (Zach Tinker) is a bit of a questionable character right from the beginning. He seems overly inquisitive of other teammates, he seems to have information that he couldn’t (or at the very least, shouldn’t) have normally, and he is just shifty.
6 Gabriela Perez
She is a good and tender-hearted individual, but she still struggles to find her place. Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila) is the daughter of the Cal Fire program captain, Manny Perez. She has a true heart of gold and a genuine desire to help, but she is often conflicted with her romantic intentions, and that gets her in trouble.
To her detriment, she can never seem to figure out her feelings for those around her, and because of that, she ends up causing relationship problems for herself. She loves Jake, but she develops feelings for Bode, and that causes a whole host of issues. She has a great heart, but she needs to learn what (or who) it is that she truly wants. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see Gabriela's growth, as she exited the series after the Season 3 finale.
5 Jake Crawford
He used to be romantically involved with Bode’s sister but dumped her on her birthday, which caused a chain of events that led to the car crash that killed her. He has some skeletons in his closet. This is true, but unlike some of the other characters, he truly does have good intentions.
4 Eve Edwards
She's far from being the best but also far from being the worst. Eve Edwards (Jules Latimer) is just trying to make her place in the world by doing the work that she loves and being with the people she wants to be with. While Jake is her best friend, she is beginning to question that, as well.
She feels that Jake does not share anything about himself with her, which makes her feel like he knows everything about her, but she doesn’t know him at all. She desperately wants to do good, and she wants to find love. Despite her attempts, she is often left missing the mark, and we feel for her.
3 Manny Perez
Manny serves as a guiding light of wisdom to his crew, and specifically to Bode. A far cry from Alejandro's turn as a medium and practitioner of magic in True Blood, Manny genuinely wants to see Bode turn his life around and provides every opportunity for that. Manny proves that he can put aside the personal issues and feelings he may have and demonstrate his care and support for others.
2 Vince Leone
He might be rough around the edges, and he might have made some mistakes in the past, but Vince Leone (Billy Burke) is simply a man who loves his family and wants what is best for everyone. Despite some harsh words to Bode in the past, he loves Bode and wants to see him succeed.
1 Sharon Leone
She is not just Bode’s mother, but really, she is the mother to the entire town of Edgewater. She loves and cherishes everyone there and cares for every one of them with her whole heart. Sharon Leone (Diane Farr) is truly the most loved and loving character throughout the entire series.
She is a board member of the Edgewater fire stations and has been fighting fires for many years while supporting and loving her family and those of the community. There is no one more kind-hearted than Sharon and no one more deserving of the label of the kindest character of the show. She is likely one of the main reasons the show has been renewed for another season, and she truly demonstrates that sacrificial love is real, and she sets the bar in such a way that will make the world want to be better, as she is better.
