Why did Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila go away “Hearth Nation”? What we find out about their exits (and potential returns)

• The CBS drama Hearth Nation stars Max Thieriot as an ex-con looking for redemption as a part of the Cal Hearth program.
• OG firefighters Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila left the primary solid following season 3.
• The"door is open" for Arcila's return, says Hearth Nation showrunner Tia Napolitano.

4 seasons in, Fire Country stays a scorching property at CBS.

The sequence facilities on Bode (Max Thieriot), an ex-con who finds redemption and goal whereas smothering flames with the Cal Hearth program. All through the primary three seasons, he labored along with his dad, Battalion Chief Vince Leone (Billy Burke), and located a spark with fellow firefighter Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila).

It was a shock, then, when followers realized these characters, each of whom had been with the present since its 2022 debut, can be absent from season 4, which debuted final fall and returns this week.

Right here's all the things we find out about why they left Hearth Nation andwhat they've stated about their exits.

Why did Billy Burke go away Hearth Nation?

Burke helped lead Hearth Nation as Vince Leone, the tough-as-nails battalion chief operating Station 42 and calling the pictures as his staff battled wildfires and pulled off daring rescues.

Season 3 ended on a cliffhanger, with Vince trapped in a burning constructing and followers at midnight about his destiny. Vince's demise was confirmed within the season 4 trailer, and the premiere, "Goodbye for Now," noticed the Cal Hearth staff mourning him at his funeral.

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Burke hasn't publicly addressed his exit, however showrunner Tia Napolitano advised Leisure Weekly in October that killing off Vince was a artistic resolution.

"Vince is so vital to everybody on our present, it might make the largest affect," she stated. "We're in season 4, and we felt prefer it was time to take all of the puzzle items, throw them up within the air, and make a contemporary image for everyone."

She added, "It felt just like the demise of Vince was a contemporary wound all of our characters would expertise collectively together with our viewers."

In a chat with TV Insider, co-creator Tony Phelan stated the "lack of Vince goes to echo via your entire season, and we’re going to see our youthful firefighters actually have to start to grapple with rising up and what’s the subsequent step for them."

He added that there's "at all times a risk" of Vince returning in flashbacks.

Burke has already lined up his subsequent gig. Based on Deadline, followers can see him on Peacock's upcoming M.I.A., against the law drama from Ozark creator Invoice Dubuque.

Why did Stephanie Arcila go away Hearth Nation?

Stephanie Arcila starred on Hearth Nation as Gabriela Perez, a Cal Hearth firefighter and paramedic who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Bode.

Gabriela seems briefly within the season 4 premiere, through which she leaves Edgewater to journey the nation and recruit new firefighters for Cal Hearth.

Arcila opened as much as Us Weekly about her exit, saying she was simply as blindsided by it because the viewers was. "I had no thought ever. It was an entire shock," she stated, including that she discovered whereas filming the season 3 finale.

"However on the identical time, I do know that that is the character of the trade that I'm in, and I’ve accepted the move of launch and acceptance all through my journey and understanding that when one door closes, one other one opens at all times," she continued.

In a chat with Deadline, the actress revealed that the creatives needed to take a break from Bode and Gabriela's story. "He’s seeing another person proper now, so it is smart that we might take a breather."

Arcila is optimistic about Gabriela's potential return. "I by no means say by no means," she stated. "Life takes us via so many avenues, and Gabriela is such a present to me in my profession, personally and professionally … As for the longer term, I've realized that these writers at all times shock me, and I’ve no expectations, simply pleasure."

Napolitano echoed that sentiment with EW: "I say the door is open for a Gabriella return, and for the potential of Bodiella sooner or later," she stated. "She's off to do nice issues. , we wrote her a cheerful ending. We had them say their emotions to at least one one other on that bench in a means that I feel is absolutely candy and actually genuine. It appears like love was by no means their concern, as Bode says, and now just isn’t their time, however the door's open."

The place can I watch Hearth Nation?

Hearth Nation airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+.

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