Season 4 of Fire Country will be here soon, and executive producer Tia Napolitano has dropped some big news about the premiere.

Fire Country ended on a cliffhanger, with the lives of Sharon (Diane Farr), Vince (Billy Burke), and Walter (Jeff Fahey) hanging in the balance as a fire engulfed Walter’s memory care facility. Napolitano didn’t address that, but she did confirm another rumor.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Stephanie Arcila To Exit Fire Country

After the finale, news broke that Stephanie Arcila (Gabriela) and Burke were exiting the CBS drama after three seasons. As Parade reported, Fire Country fans alluded to Burke leaving a following Season 4 video leak.

Napolitano has confirmed Arcila and Gabriela’s departure and what it means for the future of Fire Country. The executive producer revealed that Gabriela’s exit will take place in the Season 4 premiere.

“We’re so happy to have Stephanie back, to have Gabriela back in the premiere, and we really wrote a love letter to the character. We will see glimpses of Bodiela [the relationship between exes Bode and Gabriela]. It’s really a beautiful sendoff for now that’s fitting to the character that, if you’re fan, I think it’s real fan candy,” she shared with TV Insider.

Related: Is ‘The Pitt’ Star Shawn Hatosy Joining ‘Fire Country’?

The Ripple Effect of Losing Gabriela On Fire Country

Gabriela will become Bode’s (Max Thieriot) person in the aftermath of the fire, which costs him at least one family member. Thanks to theSheriff County trailer, one Leone family member has been confirmed to survive the blaze.

However, heartbreak looms for Bode in premiere as he loses a loved one and Gabriela opts to leave Edgewater.

“She’ll become very significant to him, as she always has been, in support in his life in the premiere so that he wonders when she leaves how he’s going to be without her. We’ve only known him since she’s been in his life in different capacities over the years, so, it’ll shake things up,” Napolitano expressed to the outlet.

Arcila leaving puts a damper on Bodiela. Even though Bode has been in a relationship with Audrey (Leven Rambin), Gabriela and Bode always seemed like endgame. Napolitano teased not all hope is lost for Bodiela fans.

“I think it’ll make us wanting more Gabriela in the future, which is never a bad thing,” she teased. The executive producer also declared “Never say never,” regarding Gabriela and Arcila returning to Fire Country in the future.

Gabriela’s exit won’t just involve Bode. It dramatically impacts Manny (Kevin Alejandro), who desperately tries to feel the father void left in his life now that his daughter is gone.

Buckle up, Fire Country fans, it sounds like we are in for one emotional premiere.

Fire Country premieres on Friday, October 17, at 8/7c on CBS.

Next: ‘General Hospital’s New Charlotte Has a Major Connection to ‘Fire Country’

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.