‘Sheriff Country’ Creators Dish on the ‘Fire Country’ Spinoff: ‘It’ll Shock the Pants off You’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Co-creators Tony Phelan and Joan Rater tease crossovers, a shocking murder and more
In Edgewater, the drama doesn’t stop once the fire is put out, which is where the new series, Sheriff Country, picks up. Premiering as a spinoff to the wildly successful series Fire Country, Sheriff Country will follow Sheriff Mickey Fox, a straight-shooter from Edgewater who has to learn how to balance motherhood, leading the town and keeping her past where it belongs.
Woman’s World sat down with the co-creators of the show, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, to discuss all things Sheriff Country, which premieres on October 17, including Mickey’s complex journey, a potential crossover event between both shows and which artist’s song they got for the series trailer. But first, check out the trailer for the upcoming spinoff.
WW: The trailer for Sheriff Country features an unreleased track by Maren Morris, and music plays a crucial role in shaping the story. Why was this the right choice?
Tony Phelan: Well, we are obviously huge fans of Maren, and what was exciting about her participation is that you find out that musicians are fans of the show and want to find a way to be a part of it. Maren’s aesthetic and what she writes and sings about feels very true to Edgewater and the stories we’re telling. So, we are thrilled that she is now a part of the show and that song is so evocative of the stories that we’re telling on Sheriff Country.
You listen to these people and never imagine that your worlds could collide. When they do, it’s just incredibly exciting. Also, it’s a female artist and the sheriff is a female in a traditionally male role. What’s great about the show is that it delivers mystery and intrigue as well as soap and personal lives and home life,all in a way that I think fans of Fire Country are going to enjoy as well as fans of police show.
I feel like Maren sings a lot of powerful songs like that and I think Maren and Mickey [Fox, the main character] would be friends. Seeing how Mickey, as a character, deals with this role of being the sheriff, the person who is ultimately responsible, she’s somebody who grew up in this town and feels very strongly that she wants to save this community. She wants to bring people together in an increasingly fractured world, which is something that’s really admirable about her that I hope people are going to be able to relate to.
WW: Where did the idea for this spin-off come from? Mickey had an appearance in Fire Country, but what made you want to explore her story more while expanding the Fire Country universe?
Joan Rater: We spend so much time in Fire Country in the woods that we wanted to see the town. We love the idea of the modern hero, these people who protect us, firefighters and the sheriff’s office protecting our towns. And we love our town of Edgewater.
We believe in the power of community and people coming together to help one another. The idea we had of these people who protect our communities was exciting, but it really came from this idea we had: What if a mother who’s a sheriff has a daughter who comes to her with blood on her hands, saying, “You have to help me; something terrible has happened?” And then the dilemma becomes, “Is she really telling the truth? My daughter has a reputation as a liar, so would I believe her if she weren’t my daughter?”
The complexities of that mixed with her being the sheriff and the fact that her father is a criminal—how do you reconcile that? How do you love your family when they make life difficult? So many of us have complicated families and here’s one. So, all of those ideas kind of came together to create this really complex, beautiful character.
I think it makes the town respect her. She grew up here, they respect each other and she doesn’t judge them. They’re the people who helped her learn how to ride a bike. I think it adds a lot to that storyline.
WW: We also see Bode make an appearance in the trailer. Can fans expect a lot of crossovers between the shows?
Joan Rater: They can expect characters to come over for a quick scene or two, and then we’re going to have a big crossover event with both shows that is going to be a huge night.
WW: What is one thing that you can tell us about Sheriff Country that will leave fans ready to watch the premiere?
Tony Phelan: I think that this is a chance to meet characters that you’re instantly going to recognize and want to spend time with, and the mysteries of every week are fun and delightful.
Joan Rater: At the same time, you’re going to fall in love with these people and their families. There’s an ongoing mystery throughout the season that’s related to the murder of Brandon, Skye’s [Mickey’s daughter] boyfriend, and by the end of the season, we will reveal who did it—it’ll shock the pants off you.
WW: If you can describe Sheriff Country, what three words would you use??
Tony Phelan: It’s exciting, it’s heartwarming and it’s surprising. And it will keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
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