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If you're a fan of Fire Country, you should watch Max Thieriot in the Bates Motel series, a psychological thriller with fascinating character development. Dylan Massett's performance as Thieriot in Bates Motel highlights the complexity and trauma that makes him a fan favorite. If you enjoyed Bode's journey in Fire Country, you'll love Dylan's dark yet fascinating story in the Bates Motel series.
If you haven't already, you should check out Fire Country, the critically acclaimed 2013 horror series starring Max Thieriot in the lead role. In addition to playing the lead character Bode Donavan in Fire Country, Thieriot is also a co-creator of the buzzy procedural drama. The series debuted on CBS in 2022 and has captivated audiences, especially on Netflix, with its story following Bode's journey to overcome his troubled past through his volunteer work with the fictional California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which teams up with inmates like Bode to fight the massive fires plaguing Northern California.
While Fire Country's blend of drama and firefighting scenes is enough to grab your attention, Bode's journey is arguably the show's most compelling element. Thanks to Thieriot's compelling characterization, Fire Country has not only been a network success with another season scheduled, but also a hit on Netflix (Fire Country is currently ranked #5 in Netflix's top 10 TV shows in the US). While we wait for the upcoming season 3 of Fire Country, which will further unfold Bode's story, fans can tune in to Prime Video to watch Thieriot tackle yet another compelling character.
Fire Country season 1 is available to watch on Netflix. Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Paramount+.
Land of Fire
“Fire Country” is an action-drama series from CBS that follows Bode Donavan as he attempts to make amends while serving a five-year prison sentence. Offered a special opportunity, Bode participates in a unique prison release program that allows him to work alongside Northern California firefighters in exchange for a reduction in the remainder of his sentence. What begins as a chance to make amends develops into a confrontation with his past as he is assigned to the hometown where his life took a wrong turn.
Cast: Max Thieriot, Kevin Alejandro, Jordan Callaway, Stephanie Arcilla, Diane Farr, Billy Burke, Jules Latimer
Release date: October 7, 2022
Season 2
Screenplay by Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan, Joan Leiter
Showrunners: Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan, Joan Leiter
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Fire Country fans should watch Max Thieriot in Bates Motel
Bates Motel maintains a series average of 93% in RT
It may mean a big shift towards the horror genre, but Fire Country viewers should check out Bates Motel. The A&E psychological horror drama is a full five-season series that serves as a modern prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic, Psycho. Bates Motel stars Freddie Highmore as a young Norman Bates and depicts his and his mother Norma's life prior to the events of the film. Though it's a far cry from Fire Country's firefighting premise, Bates Motel has enough charm to keep viewers of all tastes entertained.
Bates Motel has been well-received by critics, as evidenced by the series' average score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics cite Bates Motel's characters and storyline as strengths, something Fire Country audiences praise, but to a lesser extent. In addition to great characters and an intriguing yet mysterious setting, Bates Motel stars Thieriot, who plays a role integral to the series' storyline and as compelling as Bode, if not more so. If nothing else, the biggest draw of Bates Motel, especially for Fire Country fans, is Thieriot's performance.
RELATED: The 10 Best Things Bates Motel Did as a Psycho Prequel
As a first step, the show Bates Motel stays pretty faithful to the original, and here are 10 hidden references to the film in the show.
Max Thieriot's role as Dylan was one of the best parts of Bates Motel
Tiero gives a mesmerizing performance as Norman Bates' half-brother.
Warning: mentions of incest and abuse.
In Bates Motel, Thieriot plays Dylan Massett, Norman's half-brother and the edgy outsider of the Bates family. Unlike Norman, Dylan was born of an incestuous act forced upon him by Norma's brother. His dark lineage and what he has endured as a result, such as being estranged from his mother and witnessing the abuse and death of family members, would be difficult for anyone to bear. But instead of succumbing to the trauma, Dylan takes every situation that befalls him with great resolve, which makes him such a complex and fan-favorite character in the series.
Dylan's story is deep, dark, and highly reminiscent of Bode's, with his past of drug addiction, the trauma of witnessing his sister's death (which he blames himself for), and being ostracized by his family as a result of the tragedy. But in Fire Country, Bode refuses to let his past defeat him as he helps put out fires and save lives, and finds a path to redemption. For fans of Bode's story, Bates Motel is a great Fire Country alternative featuring another compelling character from Max Thieriot.
Source: Netflix, Rotten Tomatoes
Bates Motel
3.5
Bates Motel is an A&E original series that serves as a modern prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror classic, Psycho. The TV drama revolves around Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore), who travels around the United States with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), and buys motels. However, Norman's psyche soon begins to unravel as he struggles with his abnormal relationship with his mother.
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot
Release date: April 18, 2013
Season 5
Author Carlton Cuse
Director: Carlton Cuse
Showrunner Carlton Cuse
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