Fire country Fans may be hooked Stephanie Arcila's screen connection to Max Thieriotbut the actress can't stop talking about another costar bond.
During season 1 of the CBS series, Arcila's Gabriela Perez fell head over heels in love with Thieriot's Bode Donovan. However, when asked who her 'favorite' scene partner was, the 33-year-old Arcila spoke exclusively We weekly that honor goes to her TV father, Kevin Alejandrowho plays Manny Perez.
“Oh, Kevin, my father, my daddy. I love him,” she said Us earlier this month while promoting Fire Country Season 2, which premieres on Friday, February 16. “He has really taken on the dad-slash-friend role in real life too. He has been there.”
Arcila explained that since they film in Vancouver, Canada, the cast and crew “become your family,” which was the case for her and Alejandro, 47.
“We've always had a special bond with Kevin and he would literally text me when he knew I was having a rough day and say, 'It's going to be okay, mija,'” Arcila revealed. “I'm like, 'You're the best. You're the best.' So yeah, I'd say Kevin.
The actress gushed about their connection, noting that she and Alejandro “have this communication without communicating.” Arcila said that when Alejandro directs an episode of the drama, they “don't even talk” and that they both “know what we need.”
Life imitates art when it comes to the relationship between their characters Fire countryeven after Gabriela and Manny had several ups and downs in season 1.
During the premiere season, Gabriela became a firefighter while her father ran a convict fire camp called Three Rock, where Gabriela met Bode (Thieriot). At the end of the season, which aired in May 2023, Gabriela and Bode disagreed over his false confession about keeping drugs in the camp. Bode and Manny also found themselves at a crossroads because of the lie.
“Manny and Gabriela have such a beautiful relationship,” Arcila said Us in February, teasing that they will be tested again in season 2. “She discovers heartbreaking news from her father [this season] that he was kept from her at some point. They do talk about it [and move forward.]Arcila added, “I think Manny and Gabriela are having a really hard time staying mad at each other.”
The actress also hinted that Gabriela and Bode's relationship will face its own hurdles, some of which are related to her dynamic with her father.
“Bode is kind of a reflection of her father and she absolutely loves her father and looks up to him and admires him for everything he's been through and how he's redeemed himself,” Arcila explained. 'And that is also Bode's past and pattern. … [But now]her heart is trying to rebuild from those million little pieces that were broken last season.
Season 2 of Fire country premieres on CBS Friday, February 16 at 9pm ET.