Sabina Gadecki and Billy Burke
Fake images (2)Sabina Gadecki has come to call her fire country “family” co-stars, but seeing Billy Burke at his farewell dinner it was even unexpected.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Fire Country Season 2, Episode 5.
During the Friday, April 5 episode of the CBS series, Gadecki's character Cara died after an ambulance accident damaged her brain. Although the death was difficult for fans and Gadecki to swallow, her co-stars gave her a sweet send-off to soften the blow.
“My husband came to town and said, 'Oh, let's have dinner with max. [Thieriot] and [his wife] Lexi [after] They came from Washington,” Gadecki, 40, recalled exclusively. Us weekly before Friday's episode. “So I thought we were going to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Vancouver.”
When he entered, he saw “all the series regulars,” including Kevin Alexander, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway and Burke, 57, who plays fire captain Vince Leone.
Gadecki was very taken aback by Burke's attendance and revealed that he “doesn't show up” to anything. “Billy doesn't want to go to any of these things,” he explained, noting that the two actors previously worked together on the 2012 film. strange deaky when I was 26 years old.
Sabina Gadecki
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Ms. Alice“Reconnecting with Billy was amazing. [on Fire Country] and seeing him there and everyone doing the sweetest thing in the world,” she gushed. “Everyone surrounded the table and they all praised me for something positive I had given them on and off camera. I was crying.”
Gadecki, who joined the cast midway through Season 1 in 2023, admitted that “everyone was crying” because it was a “very sweet and beautiful” moment.
When it comes to firefighter TV shows, fans have plenty to choose from, including Chicago Fire, Fire Country, and 9-1-1. Dick Wolf's Chicago Fire premiered in 2012 and brought the One Chicago universe to life with the spin-offs Chicago PD and Chicago Med. “The challenge is always for us to reflect and build […]
“It's funny because when I first walked in, I was like, 'Is everyone here to help me?' I was about to start crying because I didn't know. It was a surprise,” he continued. “They surprised me with a farewell dinner and it was very thoughtful and moving.”
The actress remembered a sweet comment that Alejandro, who plays Manny Pérez, said to her at the table. “He says, 'We've never had someone recurring on the show who touched our hearts like this.' And so I feel like they really took me in and welcomed me. [me]”, revealed. “I felt like family.”
As with all families, there were also moments of laughter during the bittersweet goodbye.
“Billy sent me a photo of the coffin scene. [at Cara’s funeral] and he says: 'How are you there? You can breathe? I thought, 'My heart hurts,'” Gadecki told Us, recalling Burke's advice during the emotional moment.[He said,] “Your heart shouldn't hurt.” He says, 'I know this sucks.' … But you had a funeral and a really beautiful, beautiful episode and a beautiful farewell.'”
Gadecki couldn't agree more, adding, “I feel nothing but love and joy in my heart for where my character was able to get to. So I feel grateful for that.”
Fire Country works hard to make its cast seem almost unrecognizable on the show. The CBS series, which premiered in 2022, follows inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) as he gets the opportunity to shorten his prison sentence by volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. Bode is assigned to his hometown where […]
She was so moved by the cast's openness that before leaving the set, Gadecki gave them all personalized jewelry.
“I gave everyone necklaces that said 'Fire Family' and beaded bracelets that said in Morse code 'Fire Family,'” Gadecki shared with Usnoting that she also gave a speech after an emotional few days.
She recalled: “I tried to speak and I couldn't get the words out. …You put your heart and soul into a character for a year and a half and Cara [became] a part of me, and that's why it's hard to say goodbye.”
fire country airs on CBS on Fridays at 9 pm ET.
