When Fire Country met Sheriff Country in one of CBS’s most-anticipated crossover events, fans expected high-stakes drama — but what they didn’t see coming were the subtle nods to Bates Motel, the psychological thriller that helped launch Max Thieriot to fame.
In an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation, Thieriot opened up about weaving parts of his television past into his new universe.
A Hidden Tribute to His Acting Roots
Before he became the determined inmate-turned-firefighter Bode Leone, Thieriot played Dylan Massett, the tormented half-brother of Norman Bates in Bates Motel (2013–2017). The series, a modern prequel to Psycho, earned him praise for his emotional depth and quiet intensity — qualities that still define his work today.
“I’ll always have a soft spot for Bates Motel,” Thieriot said. “There were a few moments in the Sheriff Country crossover where I couldn’t resist slipping in a wink to those days — a name here, a small prop there, something longtime fans might catch.”
The Crossover That Redefined the Franchise
The special crossover event united Fire Country’s Bode Leone with Sheriff Country’s Mickey Fox (played by Morena Baccarin), marking the birth of CBS’s new shared universe.
“It’s wild — you have two completely different tones colliding,” Thieriot explained. “Bode’s world is chaotic and redemptive; Mickey’s is grounded in law and justice. But when they overlap, sparks fly — both literally and emotionally.”
Fans quickly noticed that one scene — featuring an old roadside motel — felt eerily familiar. Thieriot laughed when asked about it:
“Yeah, that was deliberate. Let’s just say it wasn’t an accident that we had a shot of a flickering neon sign and a certain style of room key. The crew and I had fun hiding a few Bates Motel references.”
Max Thieriot: Actor, Creator, Storyteller
Thieriot isn’t just starring in Fire Country; he co-created it, and his creative influence extends to Sheriff Country. He shared that he wanted to “build bridges” between both series while honoring his past roles.
“I think every project you do leaves fingerprints,” he reflected. “I wouldn’t be the storyteller I am today without Bates Motel. It taught me how to layer emotion under tension — something I use every day writing and performing on Fire Country.”
Looking Forward
With Sheriff Country set to expand into its own spinoff and Fire Country continuing to lead CBS’s lineup, Thieriot finds himself at the center of a growing television universe. Yet, amid all the new challenges, he remains grateful for his beginnings.
“Every time I sneak a Bates Motel nod into a scene,” he said with a grin, “it feels like saying hi to an old friend.”
