Fire Country fans rejoice! We're getting a season 3! I know, I know it's not surprising considering how well the CBS drama is doing but nonetheless it's exciting because we won't have to wait for the dreaded renewal/cancellation season in May for news.
If you're deep in the trenches of fandom then you've been keeping up with the numbers but let me lay them out for those who don't know just how well the series is performing. Our beloved show is averaging 7.76 million viewers this season in linear viewing and that number increases to 9.21 million viewers in the Live+7 ratings across multiplatforms (like Paramount+, DVR, CBS.com, etc.). That's a 7% gain from last season not to mention the series ranks #6 on Paramount+ and was the #4 drama on the streamer in February, according to CBS.
On the night viewing for Network TV has trended down over the years so when you have a drama with such a devoted following that considers a show like Fire Country to be appointment television, you've found a bankable hit. The majority of fans watch live and those that can't make sure to stream it within that seven day window because falling behind means getting spoiled and no one wants to be on social media dodging spoilers like their life depends on it.
What makes this news doubly exciting is that it's coming after only three episodes of season 2 have premiered. The fourth, "Too Many Unknowns," debuts Friday, March 15 at 9 p.m. ET. Having seen it, I can tell you that you're going to want to make sure you log out of all your social media accounts if you can't watch live. Don't just rely on muting tags. Trust me.
Fire Country season 3 will likely premiere in Fall 2024
An early renewal means that no matter what happens in the remaining half of the season, we know the show will continue and, while the hiatus could send us up a wall with anticipation, we're not going to be left hanging. In their announcement, CBS didn't mention whether Fire Country will be slotted into their Fall TV schedule, only that it'll be a part of the 2024-2025 season. But, barring any unforeseen circumstances, season 3 will likely premiere as a part of the network's fall line-up.
We know this for two reasons. One, it's a Friday night banger for CBS. Two, Blue Bloods is airing the second part of its final season in the fall. The likelihood of the network messing with a proven formula, even with S.W.A.T. going off air in May, is very low. The only question remaining is which CBS original is going to join their dominating Friday block.
Will Fire Country move to the 8 o'clock slot like Will Trent did on ABC for its second season? What about the sheriff spin-off? At the moment that hasn't been given a greenlight. Morena Baccarin has been cast in the role of Deputy's Sheriff Mickey, whose ties to Edgewater make her the perfect person to be one of the town's protectors, however, it's still up in the air whether she'll get her own show or join the Fire Country cast. Baccarin makes her first appearance in episode 6 of this season.
How many episodes we get for season 3 is going to depend on when the show's junior run gets underway. If it's fall like we all pretty much guess, then we can probably bet on a full season order, so somewhere around 20-22 episodes. Season 2's episode count is an outlier because the show had to move to a half-order due to their delayed production start. The Hollywood strikes heavily impacted writers rooms and filming as writers and actors alike fought for fair contract agreements with the studios. If our show is held for the midseason for some reason, it'll be back at half order.
As we move closer to season 2's finale in May, we'll have more answers and then we can spend the summer speculating what's set to happen next. But, for now, we've got good news to revel in and I, for one, plan to continue happy dancing over Fire Country's renewal.
Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more news and coverage!