Are Gabriela Perez and Vince Leone Leaving Fire Country Forever?

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Following the emotional Season 4 finale of Fire Country on April 25, 2025, viewers are left pondering if beloved characters Captain Vince Leone (Billy Burke) and firefighter Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila) have made their final appearances. Since the series debuted in Season 1, these two key figures have significantly contributed to the show’s rich tapestry. However, after several weeks of buzz, whispers, and gossip, CBS has provided concrete responses about Vince and Gabriela’s destiny.

There’s a possibility that changing the cast could revitalize the procedural action-thriller, but fans are unhappy at the thought of losing Vince and Gabriela. However, considering recent events in the show, it seems unlikely they’ll rejoin as regular characters. Instead, we might see them appearing occasionally. Insights about Vince and Gabriela are forthcoming, based on the network and actors’ statements.

What Happened to Gabriela & Vince in Fire Country Season 3, Explained

In Fire Country’s third season, the character Gabriela found herself pursued by Finn, a disturbed individual. This plotline reached its climax in the Season 3 finale when Gabriela managed to escape Finn’s assault. In a desperate attempt to capture her, Finn was shot by Audrey and ended up injured. After this harrowing experience, Gabriela was last depicted standing near the Buena Vista nursing home, which suddenly caught fire and turned into a massive blaze.

Within the facility, I found my father, Walter Leone – also known as Jeff Fahey, Bode’s grandfather – seeking treatment for his dementia. Time ran short when a fire broke out, and neither Bode nor Walter could escape the blaze quickly enough. In a moment of desperation, I, along with Sharon (Diane Farr), rushed to help, despite our lack of proper gear. The series finale left us hanging as the burning building crumbled into smoldering ruins, trapping Vince, Sharon, and Walter inside. Their fate remains uncertain, but it appears they may not have survived the disaster.

As reported by Deadline, Vince’s storyline was intentionally left unfinished to avoid revealing too much about future characters. On the other hand, Gabriela’s regular role in the Fire Country series has come to an end. Her final appearance outside a burning facility did not provide closure for her story arc, leaving her departure unexplained.

Consequently, there’s a chance that Vince might have made it through the burning building collapse and reappear as a main cast member in Season 4. On the other hand, Gabriela could potentially make brief appearances as a guest star. Nevertheless, it seems more plausible that Vince perished, and Gabriela’s role may diminish to become a secondary character.

Are Gabriela & Vince Leaving ‘Fire Country’ Forever?

Speaking with Deadline about Gabriela’s future, Fire Country co-creator Tony Phelan stated:

Our fondness for Stephanie runs deep, and we’re determined to continue the tale of Bode-Gabriela. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we can reintroduce this character, as they have such a captivating dynamic with one another, and the audience is deeply invested in their relationship.

One method to keep expenses manageable in a costly group of networks is by reducing high-profile cast members. Although those in charge believe they can and will rehire Gabriela, no clear decisions have been made about Vince Leone as of now.

From what we saw on-screen, it seems that Vince may not have survived the Buena Vista fire. Given his background and preparation, it appears that Jake Crawford (played by Jordan Calloway) is poised to ascend to the position of Cal Fire’s next Battalion Chief.

Regarding Stephanie Arcila potentially returning as Gabriela Perez, even in a smaller capacity, the actress shared with Deadline:

I’m not one to rule things out permanently. Life has led me down various paths, and Gabriela has been an invaluable asset to me both personally and professionally in my journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to portray a Latina character on the show, and even more so because they allowed me to incorporate aspects of my Colombian heritage into the role. It was truly invigorating.

Despite plans by the producers of Fire Country to feature Gabriela in a limited guest role moving forward, it’s highly probable that viewers have seen Vince for the last time on the hit action TV show during its Season 3 finale. His character found resolution concerning his father’s deteriorating health, accepting the diagnosis of dementia. To maintain the show’s success, Fire Country may need to introduce compelling new characters in the roles of Gabriela and Vince, or risk losing more viewers in Season 4.

Fire Country is available on Netflix & Paramount+.

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2025-05-18 20:32