Appearing at the Banff World Media Festival on Tuesday, CBS Chief George Cheeks hinted that its recent successful new drama “Fire Country” may end up launching “NCIS” or “FBI”-style spin-offs.
Speaking with Deadline, Cheeks says the network is “focused on mass-appeal franchises” before along with “expanding universes, reimagining, but also creating new franchises”.
Pointing out “Fire Country” was “this season’s number one show,” he says it “completely lends itself to building out a whole new universe” and “it is really important for us to double down on a franchise focus.”
Cheeks explained once the show was ordered for a full season, he told the makers “let’s start talking about ideas for new extensions… they’ve already come up with some great ones.”
There’s no timetable at present for any spin-offs, and he’s quick to point out they’re “not necessarily looking at next year” but rather when they’re ready. He’s also open to it airing elsewhere, be it as a CBS original or a Paramount Plus original.
Former “Bates Motel” and “SEAL Team” alum Max Thieriot both co-created and stars in the series about a young convict who volunteers for the California Conservation Camp Program, in which prisoners assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
He ends up getting assigned to his hometown in Northern California where he must work alongside former friends, other inmates and elite firefighters putting out the huge fires that plague the region. Kevin Alejandro, Jordan Calloway, Stephanie Arcila, Jules Latimer, Diane Farr and Billy Burke co-star.
