CBS Orders Drama Pilots California Firefighter Convict Firefict

CBS launched a pilot order for a TV series about convicts battling California wildfires.

Titled “Calories Fire,” the potential series centers on young criminal Bode Donovan. Seeking redemption and a shortened sentence, he joins a firefighting program that sends him back to his tiny Northern California hometown, where he and other inmates work alongside fellow soldiers. elite fire brigade to put out large fires across the area.

“Team SEAL” star Max Thieriot co-wrote the story for the pilot and serves as an executive producer. The performance was inspired by his experiences growing up in the firelands of Northern California. Tony Phelan and Joan Rater also co-wrote stories in addition to writing translation stories. They will also run the production. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed of Jerry Bruckheimer Television will also executive produce. CBS Studios will produce.

Phelan and Rater are perhaps best known for their time working on “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which they rose to co-star status before starting the series after the tenth season. They are also known for shows like “Grandma’s Secretary”, “Doubt” and “Council of Dads”. They are represented by UTA and Myman Greenspan.

Thieriot is currently participating in “Team SEAL”, recently renewed for a sixth season at Paramount Plus after airing the first four seasons on CBS. He also directed two episodes of that series and one episode of “Bates Motel” in which he also starred. “Cal Fire” will mark his first time writing for television.

He is represented by Gersh and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.

In fact, California uses inmates to help fight wildfires, a program that has been in place for decades. By state, about 1600 prisoners were stationed in various fire camps as of May 2021. The program has been the subject of controversy in recent years, as program participants have had considerable difficulty in applying for firefighter positions after their release. The state recently passed a law that could allow ex-prisoners to get their convictions cleared quickly, giving them a greater chance of being employed, but the hurdles remain.