Which ‘Fire Country’ Stars Are and Aren’t Returning for Season 5

Max Thieriot's Bode Donovan will be the central character in focus for the new season as well. His character's growth was the key storyline in Season 4 and that evolution is expected to continue in the upcoming installment.

Billy Burke will be one of the major actors not returning as Vince Leon, the battalion chief running Station 42. He was last seen trapped in a burning building in Season 3 finale, and his death was confirmed in Season 4. His character's exit was looked as a creative decision.

Kevin Alejandro’s character Manny Perez’s release from Three Rock and his role as the next battalion chief will see more fleshing out in Season 5. Alejandro's return will serve as a major boost for the series that has seen a slate of departures.

Last seen, Arcila's Gabriela Perez leaves Edgewater to take up a Cal Fire role, and tours the country, lending her knowledge and expertise to aspiring and new firefighters. The show's producers called it a creative decision, much like Burke's.

Also returning is Diane Farr as Sharon Leone. Season 4 saw her combat and survive a catastrophic county-wide flood. The new season will be all about life after coping actively from Vince's death.

The biggest change was the departure of showrunner Tia Napolitano. She will be exiting at the end of the current season and will look to focus on her own development under the overall deal she has with CBS. Her role will be taken over by Eric Guggenheim.