Shawn Hatosy’s return to Fire Country as Brett Richards has been officially confirmed following the Season 4 fall finale. He previously appeared as the interim battalion chief, arriving at Station 42 during a period of significant upheaval for the team. News of his comeback has sparked renewed anticipation among fans.
Shawn Hatosy’s Brett Richards to return to Fire Country
Shawn Hatosy is set to reprise his role as Brett Richards on Fire Country, executive producer Tia Napolitano has confirmed.
In an interview with TV Insider, Napolitano emphasized that Richards’ return to the CBS drama is intentional and story-focused. When asked about Richards’ return, she said, “We sure are. Are you kidding? Shawn Hatosy? Yeah, get him back here.”
The executive producer hinted that character’s return in Edgewater will be related to multiple unresolved reasons rather than brief cameo. She said, “I would say Richards has more than one reason to return to Edgewater.”
Richards was introduced in Season 4 as Station 42’s interim battalion chief in the aftermath of Vince Leone’s death. His arrival immediately created tension within the department, particularly with Sharon Leone, who objected to his presence during the period of mourning. Richards’ leadership style also put him at odds with Bode Leone.
Richards’ time at Station 42 was short-lived. Introduced as the interim battalion chief following Vince’s death, Richards ultimately stepped aside once Manny Perez was selected to lead the department permanently.
The series also revealed key details about Richards’ personal history, including his time at the academy alongside Vince and Sharon, as well as the loss of his wife. Before leaving Edgewater, Richards shared a crucial revelation with Sharon, telling her that the fire that killed Vince was likely arson.
Fire Country resumes with its midseason return on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 9/8c on CBS.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
