Sabina Gadecki came calling Land of Fire the “family” costars, but seeing Billy Burke the farewell dinner was still unexpected.
Warning: Spoilers below for Fire Country season 2, episode 5.
During the Friday, April 5 episode of the CBS series, Gadecki’s character, Cara, died after an ambulance accident damaged his brain. Although the death was difficult to swallow for fans and Gadecki, his friends gave him a gentle goodbye to soften the blow.
“My husband came to town and he said, ‘Oh, we’re going to have dinner with Max (Thieriot) and his wife) Lexi (after) they came from Washington,” Gadecki, 40, recalled exclusively to Us every week before Friday’s episode. “So, I thought we would go to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Vancouver.”
Upon entering, she spotted “all the series regulars,” including Kevin Alexandro, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway and Burke, 57, who plays fire captain Vince Leone.
Gadecki was very surprised by Burke’s presence, revealing that he “doesn’t show up” for anything. “Billy doesn’t want to be involved in any of these things,” she explained, noting that the two actors previously worked together on the 2012 film. Weird Deaky when she was 26.
“Reconnecting with Billy was incredible (the Land of Fire) and to see him there and everyone did the sweetest thing in the world,” she exclaimed. “They all went around the table and all gave me a compliment on something positive that I provided to them on and off camera. I was crying.”
Gadecki, who joined the cast midway through Season 1 in 2023, admitted that “everyone was crying” because it was a “very sweet and beautiful” moment.
“It’s funny because when I first came in, I was like, ‘Is everyone there for me?’ I was about to start crying because I didn’t know. It was a surprise,” she continued. “They surprised me with a farewell dinner, and it was really thoughtful and really touching.”
The actress recalled a sweet remark that Alejandro, who plays Manny Perez, told him at the table. “He says, ‘We’ve never had anyone come back to the show who has touched our hearts in this way.’ And so I feel like they really welcomed me and welcomed me,” she revealed. “It was like family.”
As in all families, there were also moments of laughter during the bittersweet goodbyes.
“Billy sent me a picture of the casket scene (at Cara’s funeral) and he was like, ‘How’s it going in there?’ Can you breathe? I was like, ‘My heart hurts,’ Gadecki said. Us, remembering Burke’s advice during the emotional moment. “(He said:) ‘Your heart should not hurt. He says, ‘I know it stinks.’ …But you had a funeral and a very beautiful episode and a beautiful goodbye.
Gadecki couldn’t agree more, adding, “I feel nothing but love and joy in my heart for where was my character able to go there. So I’m grateful for that.
She was so touched by the cast’s openness that before leaving the set, Gadecki gave everyone personalized jewelry.
“I gave everyone necklaces that say ‘Fire Family’ and bracelets with beads that say in Morse code that say ‘Fire Family,'” Gadecki shared with Wenoting that she also gave a speech after an emotional few days.
She recalls: “I tried to speak and I couldn’t get the words out. … You pour your heart and soul into a character for a year and a half and Cara (became) a part of me, and so it’s hard to say goodbye.
Land of Fire airs on CBS Fridays at 9 p.m. ET.